422 Agricultural Labour in England. [aug., 



found when haymaking could not be carried on. The supply of day 

 labourers was usually sufficient, but a correspondent in the Wycombe 

 Union states that in some cases roots had to be ploughed up because 

 men could not be got to hoe them. In Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire 

 employment was irregular, the unsettled weather causing some inter- 

 ruption to haymaking. The supply of extra labour was generally equal 

 to the demand, but in the Buntingford Union (Herts) men were in 

 request. 



Eastern Counties. — Agricultural labourers in Huntingdonshire and 

 Cambridgeshire were regularly employed, except for a few days, when 

 hay-carrying and root-cleaning were hindered through rain. In Lincoln- 

 shire there were some wet days, which delayed the cutting and carting 

 of hay, but turnip hoeing and other work afforded fairly constant em- 

 ployment on the whole. There was a good demand for day labourers, 

 and the supply was usually sufficient. A correspondent in the Sleaford 

 Union writes : " Owing to callers from Ireland and other districts, there 

 are men to be had if required." In Norfolk outdoor work was a good 

 deal interrupted by rain, and all hands were wanted for haymaking 

 and hoeing beets and turnips when the weather permitted. The supply 

 of extra labour was, as a rule, sufficient for requirements, the hay 

 crop being light in many places. A report from the Freebridge Lynn 

 Union states : " The wet weather has much interfered with employ- 

 ment of labour. Much time has been lost in all kinds of work, and 

 the hay harvest has been a long one. High winds have also caused a 

 stoppage of work when the weather was fine." Work on the land is 

 reported to have been delayed in Suffolk and Essex by rain, and hay- 

 making and hoeing were in arrear. Day labourers were in fan- 

 demand, but there was a surplus in some districts. Difficulty in ob- 

 taining cowmen was reported in the Braintree Union. 



Southern and South-Western Counties. — Correspondents in Kent state 

 that some time was lost by day labourers during July through wet 

 weather. The supply of such men was quite equal to the demand, and 

 in certain districts there was a surplus. Work was, however, generally 

 plentiful, hoeing in some cases having to be repeated two or three 

 times owing to the rapid growth of weeds. Farm labourers were fairly 

 regularly employed in Surrey and Sussex, other work being found for 

 them when haymaking could not be proceeded with. There was a 

 sufficient supply of extra labour in most districts. Employment was 

 generally regular in Hampshire and Berkshire, but some day labourers 

 lost time on rainy days. The supply of such labour was in general 

 equal to the demand. A correspondent in the Petersfield Union (Hants) 

 reports that men for permanent situations are more plentiful than 

 hitherto. Except on a few wet days, haymaking and hoeing furnished 

 regular work to farm labourers in Wiltshire and Dorsetshire. Agri- 

 cultural labourers were reported as having been mostly in regular em- 

 ployment in Somerset. A demand for extra labour was mentioned in 

 the Yeovil Union. In Hertfordshire the regularity of employment was 

 somewhat interfered with by rain. When, however, the weather per- 

 mitted, there was full employment in haymaking, and in hoeing and 

 singling the root crops. Men for tending stock were said to be in 

 demand in several districts of this county. Reports from Gloucester- 



