Labourers in Husbandry. 79 



garden, but a right of common. This is of little or no relal \ 

 benefit to them, unless to obtain fuel, the advantage of which 

 is great, and not easily compensated. With a common-right 

 for a cow, or a few sheep, cottagers get an idea of visionary 

 independence, which renders them unfit for the duties or\ 

 their station ( 5o ). A labourer of this description is entire---- 

 ly spoiled for industry,',\and the generality of experienced 

 persons in country matters, must have seen many cases in 

 point. Forest-side cottages in particular, are nurseries of 

 idleness, and seminaries of mischief ( 5l ). 



3. No labourer in the country, can be in a comfortable 

 state without a garden, or at least some ground to cultivate 

 for potatoes. The advantages attending such possessions, 

 shall afterwards be more fully detailed. See Appendix, 

 No. XIII. 



4. In some cases, the cottager has good summer pasture, 

 or can hire it in the neighbourhood, and can raise, on arable 

 land in his occupation, turnips and other winter food for 

 a cow. This plan is adapted to countries, where there is a 

 mixture of arable and grazing land ; but it is objected to in 

 the more cultivated districts, as taking up too much of the 

 time of the labourer ( Sa ). 



5. The most advantageous system, however, for keeping 

 a cottage cow, is that adopted in grazing districts, where a 

 cottager has a sufficient quantity, of inclosed land in grass, 

 to enable him to keep one or two cows both summer and 

 winter, the one half being grazed, and the other mowed, al- 

 ternately ( 53 ). 



2. Labourers by the day or the piece. On this subject there 

 is a great diversity of opinion. 



In favour of working by the great, or piece, it is urged, 

 1. That when a number of labourers work together by the 

 day, much time is lost in idle conversation ( 54 ) ; 2. That it 

 is extremely difficult to oversee a number of workmen, and 

 to keep them to their duty ( 55 ) ; 3. That working by the 

 piece is the only way, by which an active and diligent la- 

 bourer can be rewarded for his superior exertion ( 56 ) ; 4. 

 That he works with more steadiness and perseverance, when 

 he is satisfied that it is in his power to apply the fruits of 

 his extraordinary labour, to the benefit of his family ( 57 ) ; 

 5. That he likewise works with greater satisfaction to him- 

 self, being more independent in regard to time, and less un- 

 der control ( 58 ) ; 6. That the employer has the advantage of 

 having his work executed with dispatch ( S9 ) ; and, 7. That 

 the community is benefited, in proportion to the additional 



