CHAPTER XX. 



EXTRAS, PIECEWORK, AND ALLOWANCES 

 IN KIND. 



THE generally low earnings of the Irish farm labourer 

 are supplemented to a very small extent by " extra 

 cash " ; piecework is rare, and allowances in kind are 

 " conspicuous " only by their absence in most cases. 

 This chapter will therefore, and necessarily, have to be 

 a very short one. Even at the extra-paying season of 

 harvest extra wages are not often given in Ireland 

 at any rate to the regular men ordinarily forming part 

 of the personnel of a farm. In some districts a rate of 

 pay a little higher than the summer wage is given 

 during harvest ; but this is mainly, if not quite entirely, 

 given to casual labourers when their aid happens to be 

 needed no doubt as an inducement for them to work 

 at that season. Occasionally a bonus is given for the 

 whole harvest work in sums ranging from ten to thirty 

 shillings, or it may take the form of extra wages ranging 

 from half a crown to three shillings extra per week ; 

 and near populous places, such as those close to or around 

 Dublin, the extra weekly pay may go up to four and 

 even, sometimes, to nine shillings a week. Even cattle- 

 men or horsemen at harvest-times do not command 

 additional pay, as it is argued that they only work as 

 at ordinary times and at their ordinary rates ; but 

 if " extras " are " going " they get the same as other 

 labourers. Speaking of Ireland, Mr. Fox says : 



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