LABOK. 9 



A few of the most efficient and trustworthy hands, 

 who are particularly useful during the marketing season, 

 and receive an increased pay, are selected to care for 

 stock. Some farmers pay selected hands five cents per 

 basket and one cent per crate additional for packing 

 cucumbers and tomatoes; while others use the gang of 

 day laborers for the purpose, depending upon their per- 

 sonal supervision to prevent injudicious gathering. For 

 cutting hay with scythes, men are allowed one-third the 

 cured hay, to be bought (at option of the hand or not, 

 as may be agreed upon), by the employer at four dollars 

 per rack-load of about eight hundred pounds. 



The hours of labor are from sunrise to sunset, with 

 variable allowances for meals during the different seasons 

 of the year. 



During the shipping season there is no fixed time for 

 breaking off work; but extra pay is generally allowed in 

 case of much night work. 



If the hands are made to bestir themselves properly 

 during their work, it is not unreasonable they should ex- 

 pect that the employer will not delay, or hesitate, in 

 delivering compensation. Apart from considerations of 

 justice, it is considered his policy to pay promptly after 

 breaking off work on Saturday and before the stores are 

 closed. Hands of the better order, and these are to be 

 encouraged, may be depended upon to present themselves 

 on Monday morning, whether in funds or not; but by 

 far the greater majority will require time on Monday to 

 get rid of their money, if they have had no opportunity 

 of so doing Saturday evening and night, and will be ab- 

 sent at roll-call. 



According to the report of the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment of 1879, the latest authority at command, the 

 average rate of wages paid, without board, in the interior 

 of Georgia, was ten dollars and seventy-three cents per 

 month. 



