TOO BRITISH RURAL LIFE AND LABOUR. 



used to denote a specific quantity of allowances in kind. 

 There is what is known as the ' Kelso boll ' and the 

 ' Lauderdale boll ' The ' Kelso boll ' consists of ten 

 bolls of oats (60 bushels), worth from 7 to 9. Four bolls 

 of barley (24 bushels) are worth from ^3 to ^3, IDS. ; one 

 boll of peas or beans is worth from i t 33. to l, 53. There 

 is in addition, to complete the ' Kelso boll,' a varying allow- 

 ance of potatoes. The ' Lauderdale boll ' consists of 

 65 stones of oatmeal, worth about ^5 ; three bolls of 

 barley (18 bushels), worth about 2, IDS. ; and a varying 

 allowance of potatoes." 



The report continues : 



" Those who are paid on the ' boll ' system always have, 

 in addition, a free cottage and garden, and, as stated, an 

 allowance of potatoes, coals carted, and sometimes an 

 allowance of coals, and often a cow kept. The cash pay- 

 ment is, therefore, a comparatively small one. Farmers 

 will generally keep cows for the men if they wish it, for 

 about 8 or 10 a year ; but the custom is not so general 

 as formerly, and this is said to be partly due to the desire 

 on the part of the men to have a larger part of their wages 

 paid in cash, and partly because the women dislike the 

 trouble of milking and churning. Sometimes the cows 

 belong to the men, but more frequently to the farmer. In 

 the latter case the calf belongs to the employer. A definite 

 arrangement is frequently made as to the amount of hay, 

 turnips, and cake to be given during the winter, and as to 

 the period during which the cows should be out at grass. 

 In other parts of Scotland the allowances in kind given to 

 the married man, though generally of the same character, 

 vary considerably in amount. In some districts more 

 cash is given and less in kind, and in others the contrary 

 is the case. In most counties houses and gardens are 

 provided free, but in some districts where the supply of 

 cottages on a farm is insufficient, and there happens to be 

 accommodation in the neighbourhood, married men get 

 from ^3 to 5 more money, in lieu of a free cottage. Milk 

 is a very common allowance, also potatoes ; allowances of 

 meal are often given, coal carted free, and not infrequently 

 coal or peat is given free. Sometimes the men will take 

 half the customary allowance of potatoes and have the 

 rest paid in cash. In some cases they sell part or all of 

 their oatmeal allowance, and sometimes also milk. Some 

 employers keep pigs and fowls for their men. Shepherds 

 in all parts of Scotland are generally paid a considerable 

 portion of their wages in kind. In some cases they have 

 the whole of their wages paid in this way. Although the 

 custom is not such a prevalent one as formerly, many 

 shepherds have a ' pack flock,' i.e. they are allowed to 

 keep a certain number of their own sheep with those of 



