318 Mr. Taylor o« the Economy 



it produces to discover ore and to raise it cheaply, as already noticed, 

 and on account of the perfect state to which the arrangements with 

 the working miners under this head have been brought. 



Dressing contracted for at the surveys is seldom for more than 

 the waste or leavings of the tributors, the ores raised on tribute 

 being made merchantable under the same contract ; but as the men 

 working on the terms usually made, cannot often affi^rd to dress 

 the coarser parts of what they raise, they reject it, and it is let to 

 others who stamp and clean it, having a proportional price likewise 

 in the way of tribute. 



The tutwork is divided into lots, <:^\Q^Sargains ; each bargain 

 requiring a certain set of men, and the gang so employed is always 

 called 2i pair of men, let the number be what it may. Shafts have 

 from 4 to 12 men, levels from 2 to 6 men in z pair : one usually 

 agrees for the whole, and he is called the taker. 



The tribute is set in pitches, each including a certain defined 

 space of ground, limited very accurately, and each pitch employs 

 from 2 to 6 men. 



Dressing is set in bargains, and generally each to one man who 

 employs the women and boys who assist him. 



The day or two before the setting is occupied by the captains in 

 measuring all the work done on tutwork in the shafts, levels, &c. 

 and in carefully viewing the tribute pitches, so as to estimate nearly 

 what each ought to set at. From these observations an accurate 

 list and statement is made out, which the managing captain refers 

 to in conducting the setting. 



About the middle of the day the men are summoned and assemble 

 in considerable numbers, as not only those who worked in the 

 mine the former two months, but all such as are in want of employ 

 attend on these occasions, which indeed is the cause of the com- 

 petition so often observed. 



