AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS AND ESTATE SCHOOLS. 293 



was very common in the north of Scotland, to make room for deer-forests 

 and shootings. At that time the Duchess of Sutherland allowed a num- 

 ber of poor peasants to take possession of an unreclaimed moor ; and 

 in a very short time the land, which was only worth 3s. per acre, re- 

 turned 21s.* 



Much good can be done in this way, both to the labouring classes, and 

 also, by increasing the value of the estate, to the proprietor ; but in what- 

 ever form the land may be let to small tenants, proper rules should be 

 laid down for them to work by. These rules must be drawn out accord- 

 ing to the circumstances of the case. The following may give some hints 

 in doing this : 



Rules for Small Tenants and Cottagers. 



1. No crop of any kind to take up more than one-half the land in one year. 



2. All the land to be properly and well manured in each year. 



3. No portion of the land about the corners, end-ridges, or fences, to be left undug ; 

 but every available part to be properly dug up and kept under cultivation. 



4. Each tenant is responsible for the good keeping of the fences around his garden, 

 garth, or allotment, and he must constantly keep them in good repair. 



5. The walks, as well as all the other parts of the garden or allotment, to be kept 

 free from weeds and moles. 



6. In the case of any allotment being given up, or of the tenant being discharged 

 from it, the tenant to be paid for any digging which he may have done. 



7. Should any tenant be convicted of theft, poaching, or other misconduct, before 

 a magistrate, he will be liable to be ejected from the estate at the following term. 



8. No garden or allotment, or any part of it, shall be underlet. 



9. Each cottager must send his children to school regularly. The teacher will 

 report every month as to the attendance. 



10. Each cottager must keep his cottage tidy and clean. He will keep it in good 

 repair, and all cesspools and drains clear and in working order. 



11. If any garden or allotment be not properly cultivated, or if any of these rules 

 are not strictly carried out, the tenant will be subject to be ejected from the estate. 



12. Prizes will be given every year to those tenants who have cultivated their land 

 best. 



13. Prizes will also be given to those tenants who have kept their house in the 

 most tidy and clean manner. 



14. Three judges will be chosen in each year, to inspect and report upon the condi- 

 tion of each cottage, garden, garth, or allotment, and to award the prizes accordingly. 



SECTION 3. Estate Schools. 



It often occurs that schools are upheld by landed proprietors on their 

 own estates, and therefore come under the management of the agent on 

 the estate. 



* ' Estate Management,' by MacDonald. 



