354 HOW TO GROW GOOD ORCHARDS. 



him upon this head, and the result is, that the 

 labourer too often keeps himself in that state of 

 thirst and muzziness during his work that almost 

 compels him to seek the public-house when work is 

 done. Here quarrels ensue, and it is a wonder that 

 manslaughter is not more frequently the resalt. 

 Expelled from the scene of his debauch, he finds 

 his way home, unless, as is not unfrequent, he is 

 " found drowned " in the river by which he may have 

 to pass. 



This is no fancied sketch, as it is derived from the 

 sad experience of the author and the result of events 

 in his own parish. On one melancholy occasion it 

 was indeed sad to hear the Coroner, among other 

 remarks, observe that full four-fifths of the inquests 

 in a cider county were the result of drink. 



Is there not, then, a heavy responsibility resting 

 upon - the farmer in especial connection with cider, 

 while his men are partially paid in this fluid? It 

 is different in the beer-drinking counties, as beer 

 costs more money, and is never allowed in such 

 quantity as cider. Put it down as true that the 

 farmer at times gets more work out of his men by 

 plying them with cider, yet we feel sure he thereby 

 hastens the time when such men can no longer 

 work, and they have then to be chargeable to the 

 parish, if in the mean time nothing worse should 

 happen. 



Mechanics are not paid in drink; they purchase 

 what they require out of regular wages, and thus 

 they have the option, which many of them take 

 advantage of, of leaving off strong drink altogether ; 

 and though they too are sometimes hard pressed to 



