70 AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION 



the other hand, a successful farmer, says he saves the 

 harvest wages of seven men, ;i^49, by binding. And " in 

 Cornwall," says Mr Collins, "our farmers have adopted 

 mechanical power, and effected an immense saving in 

 labour. The work is now done with American reapers 

 and binders." 



Lord Wantage, on the other hand, thinks that, while 

 changes in cultivation and the introduction of machinery 

 are lessening employment, " social reasons and moral 

 obligations prevent the agriculturist from farming his 

 land to the best advantage, and preclude him from 

 freely using labour-saving machinery," as does also the 

 fear of throwing men upon the rates.^ 



On his own estates, as on Lord Leicester'sestate,themen 

 displaced by changes of cultivation are found employ- 

 ment in estate work, such as road-making, planting, etc. 



That tenant farmers share in this feeling and give it 

 effect, seems to be confirmed by evidence from the 

 eastern counties, that wages have, to a certain extent, 

 been paid out of capital in the past few years. 



There is a difference of opinion as to whether 

 labour now is less efficient or not. Some farmers em- 

 phatically state this to be the ca.se. Others take a 

 decidedly more favourable view. 



Mr Read thinks the young labourers of to-day take 

 little interest in their work. Mr Cocks says there is a 

 great difficulty in getting efficient men. Mr Watson 

 thinks " the labour quite as good as it was." Mr W^orth- 

 ington : " You can get first-class men ; there is no doubt 

 about the quality." 



Lord Wantage, who has studied the position of the 

 labourer and small holder, and has special experience, 

 says, "the labourers are quite as good as they were. li 

 do not think that there is any deterioration among them. 

 A good cottage and a good garden is a great inducement 

 to a married man to stay." 



Mr Ralston, Lord Strathmore's agent, says : " Labour 

 is very good. The quality has been quite maintained." 



Mr Latham thinks the men earn as much as 

 ' Letter to Chairman, November 1895. 



