155 



very complicated comparisons and combinations to answer this 

 question with accuracy, or even to collect together the requisite 

 materials. To effect this, more time will be necessary than is 

 allowed for giving the requisite answers. But to what purpose 

 will such a calculation serve, since it is certain that the market is 

 not governed by the cost of production, but that the demand has 

 a far more decided influence in raising prices ; and that, on the 

 other hand, the grower will not be induced to continue production 

 for the mere cost of cultivation, but will endeavour speedily to 

 turn his land to other purposes ? A great many intelligent 

 agriculturists indeed have already effected this change, by intro- 

 ducing a system of husbandry that tends to diminish tillage. 



The author of the above-mentioned Statement presents sub. 

 No. I. a valuable document relative to the proportionate alterations 

 which rural economy has already undergone ; and by which it 

 appears, that of 6,927 acres of tillage land that were formerly 

 under the plough in his neighbourhood, only 4,865 acres are at 

 this time occupied with the cultivation of Grain, and the remaining 

 ,062 acres are applied to other purposes. 



The breeding of Sheep offers, by the propagation inherent in 

 that branch of rural economy, a substitute no less remunerating 

 than susceptible of extension. 



8. What w? the amount of the Wages of Agricultural 

 labour ? Are they paid in money \ or in kind ? 



The Wages of agricultural labour in the greater part of the 

 district, on an average amount to 4 Sg* (near five pence) a day, 

 and which is generally paid in money ; payment in kind is but 

 seldom given, and it is rather customary that the labouring 

 families who engage themselves on an estate, obtain tenements, 

 garden ground, and, in some cases, fuel ; they generally pay 

 tent for these, which is deducted at the settlement, or quarter- 

 day, from the wages they have earned. This price of labour, or 

 amount of 30 dollars (.4. 10s. sterling) a-head annually, yielding 

 no more than what a person wants for bread, salt, clothing, taxes, 

 and minor objects, cannot be diminished without lessening the 

 power of labour and its usefulness. 



Besides this description of labour, a number of servants, males 

 ahd females, of different degrees, are employed in each farm, 

 about other work of husbandry, and to attend to the agricultural 

 and grazing Cattle ; they receive wages from 30 down to 10 

 dollars (.4. 10s. tof.l. 10s. sterling.) 



On a considerable estate, consisting of several farms, and 

 where husbandry is still vigorously kept up, these wages amount 

 as high as 800 to 1000 dollars (.120 to .150 sterling), besides 

 free board. The duty work hitherto in use has been entirely 

 abolished in the R oval Domains, and also for the greater part in 



