HARD STRUGGLE UNDER MORTGAGES 29 1 



been here twenty years, and have just been scraping 

 along. Last year we lost money. We eat very little 

 fresh meat." 



Another : — " We work much harder than labourers, 

 in fact, like slaves. The only advantage we get is we are 

 our own masters. We live very carefully. I just keep 

 going. I pay the interest on my mortgage, and I am 

 not in debt." 



Things are less gloomy where there are opportunities 

 for earning wages by occasional work on large farms in 

 the neighbourhood, or wheat carting, coal selling, or other 

 small industries, can be combined with the cultivation of 

 the small holding. 



In specially fertile districts, such as the Wainfleet and 

 Kirkton districts, and where early potatoes, or other high 

 priced crops can be grown, small holders seem to be doing 

 well, with energy and thrift, even at rents from jC^ to ;^5 

 an acre. A labourer bought 13 acres at £yo, and 10 

 acres at i^i 10, and rents 22 acres at ^3, and has in the 

 past thirteen years paid off ;^ioo of mortgage, and kept 

 a family of seven children. 



Another bought part of his 10 acres at ;^ioo, and part 

 at ;^8o. He says : — From 1879 to 1882 we lost money, 

 and it has been a struggle ever since, as we got behind- 

 hand. We are paying our interest, and just getting our 

 living. No doubt a small freeholder or tenant can make 

 a living in this district, if he works hard. Many people 

 here paying ^4 an acre are doing well. 



Another, who began as a farm lad at 9d a day, and 

 worked as a labourer till 1874, bought 9 acres at ;^82 

 and rents 60 acres at 32s 6d. "Since 1882 I have paid 

 interest and rent and kept going, but have saved nothing. 

 I brought up six children."' 



Two others, who bought at ^115 and ^130, and who 

 also rent additional land, have paid interest and rent, 

 and get food and clothes. " Every one works hard in 

 Friskney ; the land was never so well farmed. The 

 hardest time was between 1879 and 1881. We were 

 nearly all broke then, and it has been taking all our 

 time to get square. The small men are just about living." 



