CHAPTER XL. 

 OTHER " PRIVILEGES/ 1 



IN moorland country, the cutting of turf for fuel was a 

 privilege enjoyed by the farm labourers. Sometimes 

 this cutting was exercised within manors, as a com- 

 moner's right. In other cases, where the lord of the 

 manor, rightly or wrongly, claimed to exclude all com- 

 moners' rights, the turf cutting within limits was 

 " allowed " as a concession. The " turf," or peat as it 

 actually is, was permitted to be cut, and was dried and 

 sold by the labourers, and in such cases furnished quite 

 an active little industry. Some of the poorer inhabitants 

 in the peat districts were enabled to eke out a moderate 

 livelihood by this industry alone. Peat makes excellent 

 fuel, and has often proved a valuable substitute for the 

 more expensive coal. In towns, too, a good market is 

 often found for " turf," which is there used for lighting 

 fires. The " top crust " being taken off from the moors 

 often revealed a thick underlying bed of peat extend- 

 ing some times, as in Ireland, to a considerable depth. 

 It is in fact an " asset," like a substantial coal seam. 

 The usual plan is to cut the turf into squares, or rather 

 into parallelograms about the size and shape of the bricks 

 used for building. Then, after stacking and drying, it is 

 ready for the market or for such " home consumption " 

 as the needs of the district may require. 



Farmers, in such districts, will sometimes lend horses 

 and carts free for the hauling of the turf : but against 

 this bright side of the humble industry there is the loss 



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