Lodging and Boarding Labourers. 



381 



Of the total number of youths who have been admitted, two 

 have married, one of whom works on the farm, the other for a 

 neighbouring gentleman ; four have been placed out in good 

 situations ; three, having absented themselves without leave, were 

 not taken back ; one left owing to ill health, and afterwards died ; 

 five are now at the farm. None have misconducted themselves 

 nor been discharged for any fault. 



In connection with these arrangements for the boarding of the 

 farm servants who live in the house, two advantages are provided 

 for the other labourers. A cup of cocoa is given to every person 

 employed on the farm at the time appointed for the beginning 

 of work ; and during the winter months nourishing soup is offered 

 to those who choose to pay for it, at the rate of one-halfpenny per 

 quart, which covers the actual cost, and is even more valued than 

 it would be if it were given without payment. The early cup of 

 cocoa is found to have the great merit of allaying the feeling of 

 thirst during the day, which is so great a temptation to labourers : 

 this probably is owing to the irritation of the stomach caused by 

 beginning the day's work fasting being prevented. 



The receipt for the soup, which is made a la Soger, is as 

 follows : — 



s. <L 



Meat 2 lbs. minced ... 0 9 



Sago 6 lbs 16 



Pepper and salt . ..01 



2 4 



Making sixteen gallons, which are sold for 2s. 8d., leaving 4d. 

 to set against the value of the vegetables grown in the garden, 

 fuel, and the time of the servant who makes it. 



The merit of these plans, especially of the boarding of the 

 boys, seems to be, that they are natural and simple, in fact a 

 revival of an old English habit, universal some years ago, and 

 still practised, even on very large farms, in the north of England, 

 but driven out in the southern counties partly by the encourage- 

 ment given to early marriages under the old Poor Law, and 

 partly by the refinement of modern habits, which have banished 

 the labourer from the j society of his master, whereas he would 

 derive great advantage from it, and be made a more useful 

 servant. 



Yours sincerely, 



T. D. Aclakd, jun. 



