UNITED KINGDOM 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

 GENERAL AVERAGE OF EARNINGS. 



IN spite of the fact that it savours somewhat of dis- 

 paragement, the expression the " ordinary labourer " 

 applies to a factor of very considerable importance 

 in the agricultural systems of this country. Without 

 his indispensable aid farming as a business would come 

 to an immediate standstill. Shepherds and other 

 " men in charge of animals " are most essential for 

 the economical management of large farms ; but as 

 soon as the time arrives, and it may not be very far 

 distant, when all farming operations can be conducted 

 by the aid of machinery alone without the aid of animals, 

 the " ordinary labourer," by which is practically meant 

 the all-round farming man knowing something of 

 everything, and thus practically showing that " a little 

 knowledge " is not "a dangerous thing/' is very likely 

 to come to the front. 



It may be contended that even in the day of universal 

 " small holdings," when a man, now aided by animals, 

 can do all his own tillage, horses at least will be needed 

 to draw the produce to market ; but to argue thus is 

 to forget the possibility of motor waggons or motor 

 vehicles of much smaller size doing all that is essential 

 in the way of haulage. It may then be that the 



