46 On the Advantage of 



There are however, many difficulties in the way of cottagers getting 

 possession of land. 



' Tlie generality of farmers dislike to see that plan adopted^ for it ren- 

 ders the labourers less dependent upon them ; and if the land were 

 not occupied by them, the farmer would probably get possession of it ; 

 m'le some object to cottagers being allowed even to keep a pig, lest 

 they should be tempted to steal food for it. 



The agents of estates also, when the rent-day comes, find it much 

 less troublesome to settle with six, than with sixty tenants ; and they 

 dislike being obliged to listen to the wants and complaints of the poorer 

 occupiers. Indeed these agents consider the payment of the rent, 

 not only more secure and less troublesome, but likewise not so liable 

 to diminution, as the farmer will engage to keep the cottage in re- 

 pair, which the labourer may not be able to undertake. By the united 

 efforts of these prejudiced or interested persons, the landlord, having 

 seldom time or inclination to investigate the subject very closely, is 

 induced to agree to a plan thus strongly recommended to him. 

 ' I hope however, that the cause of the labourers, will no longer be 

 /overlooked or neglected, but that the landholders in the kingdom, 

 will be convinced of the great public and private advantages that may 

 be derived, from attention to the comfort and happiness of those most 

 useful members of society. 



It may be proper at the same time to observe, that there is no cir- 

 cumstance connected with this important subject, more to be depre- 

 cated, than the adoption of any complicated measures for improving 

 the situation of the agricultural labourer. No plan can succeed on a 

 great scale, that is not simple and easily executed. In general it is 

 ' sufficient, that a labourer should have, 1. a comfortable house"; 27 a 

 good garden ; 3. poultry ; 4. a pig, (were it only for making manure 

 for the garden) ; and, 5. bee-hives, where the situation is suitable 

 for those industrious insects. 



Hhi regard to keeping a cow, it is only in cases where the circum- 

 stances are peculiarly favourable, and where the labourer is distin- 

 guished for his industry, good sense, and correct behaviour, that such 

 jij)lan is to be recommended. 



I'he land let to labourers, may either be employed, as a garden 

 for raising vegetables, &c. or it may be sufficiently extensive for the 

 maintenance of a cow. 



1. On Cottage Gardens. This interesting subject shall be consi- 

 dered under the following heads : 1. The advantages resulting from 

 cottage gardens ; 2. The proper size ; and, 3. The mode of manage- 

 ment. 



1. No labourer in the country, can be in a comfortable state, with- 

 out a garden. There are many cottagers unable to pay the rent of 

 their cottage, when they have no land ; but who, with the advantages 

 of a garden, would find no difficulty in doing it. The cottage garden 

 Ids a great addition to the food, tends to promote the health of the 

 family, and employs only their spare hours, in which nothing else 

 would be done *. Their families are thus supplied with culinary 



* It is an additional argument in favour of cottage gardens, that when a la- 



