460 



THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



used where labourers are constantly employed at one kind of work 

 thus : 



This, however, is only suitable where the work is all of one kind ; but 

 on an estate where there are a number of men employed at different 

 operations, it is necessary to enter minutely the kind of work at which 

 each man is employed each day; and unless this is done, the respective 

 cost of the different operations cannot be ascertained. 



The following illustration of a day-labour book is simple enough, 

 and does not require much explanation; and although simple, it yet 

 affords the means of keeping a correct and full statement of the work- 

 men's time. 



When there are more men employed than I have entered, it may 

 be necessary to have the day-labour book arranged so as to make one 

 sheet do for a week's entry. In the case shown on page 462, one sheet 

 is made to answer for two weeks of course this altogether depends 

 upon the number of hands employed. 



Whoever is intrusted with the entry of the workmen's time should 

 do so every evening. I have known many superintendents of work 

 fill in their day-labour book every Saturday. It is, however, much 

 better to have it done every evening, when the items to enter are fresh 

 on the mind. The foreman or superintendent of the men should also 

 carry a small pass-book in his pocket, to take down the names of the 

 workpeople present on each day, and also to enter any memoranda of 

 the work going on which may be necessary. 



It is of importance not only to see that the time of the men is 

 correctly entered, but also that each place, plantation, or any distinct 

 work, is kept separate from any other work. When this is done, the 

 cost of each operation can be satisfactorily ascertained when finished. 



The day-labour book should be made large enough to last for one 

 year at least ; many are made to last for a number of years, but in that 

 case they are usually large and unwieldy. I have found it much better 



