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CHAP. XIII. 



RURAL ECONOMY. 



SECT. I. — LABOUR. 



THE circumstance in rural economy, which for 

 many years distinguished Norfolk in a remarkable man- 

 ner, was the cheapness wherewith the farmer carried on 

 his business. This arose not only from a low price of 

 labour, but also from a much gieater adtivity and spirit of 

 exertion amongst servants and Liboure^s, than was to be 

 found in almost any other county of the kingdom. This 

 spirit is still highly commendable here, but by reason of 

 the scarcities throwing the mass of the people on the 

 parish to be supported by rates, it has suffered consi- 

 derably. 



In 1767, I registered the price of labour in West Nor- 

 folk at IS. a day in winter; in spring, is. 2d. ; for the 

 harvest, 2I. 1 2a. 6d. to 3I. with meat, drink, and lodg- 

 ing, and lasting from one month to five weeks ; hoeing 

 turnips, 3s. and 2s. ; ploughing, per acre, 2S. 6d. 



Holkham^ ij<^2. — In harvest, 5I. 5s. generally five 

 weeks. 



Threshing wheat, il. is. a last. 



. barley, 9s. ditto. 



Thatching stacks, is. a yard, running measure, length 

 of stack all widths on an average. 



1 i a * AX 



