Forming of South Wales. 153 



'•Turnips and mangolds, until very recently, were scarcely known; 

 now, however, the cultivation of these valuable roots is extending rapidly. 

 The soil and climate seem well adapted to the habits of these plants, and 

 as good turnips and mangolds have been grown in Gower as anywhere 

 else in the kingdom. 



•'The example was first set by the present Lord Lieutenant of the 

 county, who pursues the 'alternate husbandry,' and only takes one crop of 

 corn after grass, then the green crops. Turnips or mangolds, followed by 

 spring wheat or barley, with which last crop the land is again sown down 

 with clover and rye-grass seeds for pasture the following year. 



"Good labourers willing to work are seldom unemployed. The money 

 wages paid at present in the western part of Gower may be from 10s. to 

 lis. per week, but nearer Swansea they are higher; but those in the 

 western parts have, for the most part, a few sheep on the adjoining 

 commons, and, take it all and all, they would be unwilling to exchange 

 places. 



" The women and boys engaged in picking couch, hoeing turnips, and 

 the like, get 10;/. per day. Sometimes the farmers give victuals, and in 

 that case the wages of a man are Is. per day. But in estimating the 

 wages of labour in different districts of the kingdom, cottage-rent and fuel 

 always form an important consideration. Without inquiring into these 

 and other perquisites, no correct comparison can be made. It is believed 

 that, although the cottages are often very inferior upon the whole, the 

 labourers are not over-rated as to rent. 



" The farm-buildings are very far from being what they ought to be, 

 and generally ill-calculated to carryforward an improved system of agri- 

 culture ; but I have little doubt that landlords will be, for the most part, 

 ready and willing to grant every encouragement in that respect to deserving 

 tenants. 



"Bent of Land. — It is rather difficult to form a correct estimate of the 

 rents in this district, I believe they are thought to be low ; and upon the 

 whole, 14s. or 15s. per acre may be taken as about the average ; still I 

 have no hesitation in saying that, under proper culture, very much of the 

 land is capable of paying a much higher rent than is now paid for it." 



Having now arrived at the Vale of Glamorgan, it would be well 

 just to mention some of the distinguishing features between the 

 East and the counties just quitted. The general style of hus- 

 bandry resembles that of England. Waggons are common,, 

 implements good, fine Hereford cattle and large sheep in 

 abundance, and the young stock are sheltered during the winter. 

 The wheat-sheaves when bound are placed in stocks, while barlev 

 and oats are gathered in a loose state, and so taken to the ricks ; 

 the humidity of the air being less, this can be successfully prac- 

 tised. The hay is made carefully, being regularly cocked up at 

 night, and kept fresh and green by this judicious treatment. The 

 large waggon-cocks do not appear so common as formerly. The 

 cottages are more comfortable, and those of Glamorgan have long; 

 been celebrated for their superior architecture and neatness of 

 thatch. The labourers consume wheaten bread and receive 

 capital wages, while the numerous mineral-works increase the 

 competition for labour and open extensive markets for all agri- 

 culture produce. The Vale of Glamorgan is, perhaps, the finest 



