

AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS AND ESTATE SCHOOLS. 291 



Where a regular squad of workmen is employed on an estate, I have 

 found it very beneficial, and to the benefit of both master and servant, 

 to have certain rules drawn out as a guide to both. Of course any one 

 given form of rules will not answer the purpose for every estate, as the 

 character of the work and other circumstances will affect this. The 

 following is a copy of the rules which I have had in use for some years : 



Rules for the Labourers upon the Estates of Wass, Byland, and Oldstead. 



1. All orders to issue only from the foremen, for their respective departments, and 

 to be given the previous evening if possible. 



2. Labourers to be on the ground, to commence work at the hours stated. 



3. From the 1st March to the second week of October, work to be from seven A.M. 

 to half-past five P.M., with dinner from twelve to one, and rest of ten minutes at ten 

 A.M. and at four P.M. ' ". 



4 From the second week of October to the 1st March, work to be from the earliest 

 light after seven to the latest light before six P.M. ; with rest of ten minutes at ten, 

 dinner-hour from twelve to one, and rest of ten minutes at four o'clock. 



5. Except at resting-times, smoking is not allowed during hours of work ; nor at 

 any time within farm-steadings, saw-mill, tool-shop, or carpenter's shop. 



6. Payments are made monthly. 



7. The rate of wages to be strictly according to ability. 



8. Labourers to attend regularly, if not prevented by sickness or other necessary 

 cause, of which notice must be given to the superintendents. Any labourer wishing 

 to be absent must also give sufficient reason and notice. 



9. Labourers are responsible for the safety and good keeping of any tools com- 

 mitted to their charge. 



10. Every labourer is expected to write his or her own name. 



11. When practicable, the superintendents to be first on and last off the ground. 



12. No workman will be kept on the estates who is given to gross immoral con- 

 duct, such as swearing, drunkenness, or otherwise. 



13. If any workman find any person taking wood or underwood from the plantations 

 without a written authority from the agent, he shall immediately give information. 



14. Any labourer wishing to leave the employment must give a week's notice to 

 that effect. Similar notice will be given by the employer when their services are 

 not required. 



15. Want of attention to these rules will form the cause of dismissal, on evidence 

 to the agent. 



16. Punctual attention to these rules, and other proper behaviour, will lie the, sure 

 means by which the proprietor can raise wages, give promotwn, or recommendation 

 cither here or in other parts of the country. 



SECTION 2. Cottage -Gardens, and the Allotment System. 



It is an excellent system to allow labourers to have a small portion of 

 land to cultivate as a garden. Many landed proprietors and agents seem 

 to think that the system is not a good one that the allotments are 



