1870.] Agriculture. 89 



whole better off than the mere labourer in town. The summary of 

 the ' Agricultural Gazette ' on the subject may be adopted as on the 

 whole trustworthy : — 



" Probably the safest conclusion at which an outsider, patiently 

 considering the various allegations, can arrive, may be stated thus : — 

 Both in country and in town great poverty and great misery exist ; 

 both in country and in town the provident and well-conducted 

 man is able to rise in his position ; whether in country or in town, 

 there is no help, even for the ' helpless ' classes, that can approach 

 self-help for its power and efficiency. In the worst-paid agricul- 

 tural districts the young unmarried agricultural labourer has plenty 

 of pocket-money. He can squander it and acquire habits which 

 will render comfort in after-life impossible, whatever be his earnings ; 

 or he can save it, and begin life with a good character, a houseful 

 of furniture of his own, and the best girl in the parish for his wife. 



" The possibilities of the agricultural labourer, whether for decent 

 comfort or for utter misery, are at least equal to those of the corre- 

 sponding class in town. And we feel sure that any considerate 

 master who by the interest which he takes in . the lads and young 

 men upon his farm, shall retain them in his service, and thus keep 

 them from the chances of town life, will at least have done them no 

 harm. Paying them as much as possible according to their work, 

 i. e. ' by the piece,' and interfering successfully by friendly advice in 

 the alternative before them of saving or of wasting wages in their 

 youth, he will have secured for them a place in the higher division 

 of a class which contains a large proportion of individuals living in 

 comfort and respectability." 



The beet-sugar manufacture is prospering. Mr. Duncan's factory 

 at Lavenham is answering his purpose, and it is also answering 

 the purpose of the growers of sugar beet in that neighbourhood, so 

 that in all probability we have at length secured the establishment 

 among us of a new industry, from which, judging by its effect in 

 agricultural districts of France and Germany, the best consequences 

 may be anticipated. — The results of the application of sewage 

 manure to land have been reported at Lodge Farm, near Barking, 

 and elsewhere, as having been this year satisfactory. It is impos- 

 sible to doubt that this subject will soon rank with the very foremost 

 in agricultural and social importance. 



