Ten Years in Sweden. 305 



of it means of communication must be created that have no existence 

 at present, and which could only pay by being carefully adapted to 

 the requirements of mining districts. Swedish agriculture is stated 

 to be improving, through the good practical education afforded in 

 the farm schools established by the government ; but dairy produce 

 appears neglected, notwithstanding its ready sale. 



The " Old Bushman" considers the present working of loan 

 societies as unfortunate for agriculture. He complains that men not 

 properly brought up to the business buy land with money borrowed 

 from these institutions, and have not sufficient capital to work it. 

 Such a state of things will probably cure itself, as there can be no 

 inducement for men to engage in enterprises that fail to be remune- 

 rative. The failure of injudicious speculations of this kind, and the 

 practical knowledge diffused by the farm schools, will cure the 

 delusion that agriculture is a process in which ignorance and insuf- 

 ficient capital can succeed. 



Rye is the principal grain crop in Sweden, and " most of the 

 day-labourers are what they call torpare" that is, servants at 

 will on the estate, who farm a bit of land, estimated at a high rental, 

 and who work when required by their landlord, at a fixed sum per 

 day. These men and their families are under what we should call a 

 " truck system," being obliged to buy what they require at the land- 

 lord's shop, and until the country has made considerable progress, 

 it is not likely that this class of trade will fall into independent 

 hands, and be governed by the usual operation of commercial laws. 

 A good labourer earns one shilling a day in Wermland, and female 

 farm servants only receive £2 annual wages and their keep. For 

 this delightful pittance these poor women are kept at constant work. 

 " They never appear to know rest," and"ifthereisanhourto spare, 

 there is always a spinning-jenny to sit down to." Part of their 

 occupation is killing the calves and sheep ! 



The Swedish peasant has sturdy, sterling qualities, but, according 

 to the "Old Bushman," "stingy past all belief," and constantly 

 thinking of rix- dollars, of which, we apprehend, he does not see 

 too many with all his care. A bad kind of brandy, called branvin, 

 is one key to his heart, and tobacco another. He is also 

 described as well-behaved and reliable, though not given to do things 

 in a hurry, or change his plans. Altogether he is an estimable per- 

 son, who deserves to share in the progress which we hope his country- 

 men are destined to make. 



The arrangements for the relief of the poor in Sweden are very 

 peculiar, and are reported to work better than might be supposed. 

 No workhouse or Union receives the pauper class, and the poor rates 

 are levied in grain. " Early in spring an auction is held, to which 

 all aged and helpless paupers are brought, in order to be let for the 

 year ; each pauper is put up to a bidding, after the manner of a 

 Dutch auction, to see who will take and keep him, or her, for a year at 

 the lowest price, and a good deal of speculation often goes on among 

 the assembled farmers. A helpless old pauper will be taken for 

 eight tunna* of oats a year, and one with a little work left in him 

 * A tunna is little lsss than five bushels. 



