Recent Imp7vvements in Haymahin(j. 
49 
cause tlie essential conditions for (loinjr tliis on a large scale arc 
beyond man's control ; and what he lias to do is, simply to make 
the most of the opportunities presented to him. Therefore the 
old adage, " Make hay while the sun shines," still holds true, 
and will do so as long as haymaking is practised. But, on the 
other hand, more hay, and of better ciuality is now grown, con- 
sumed, and brought to market than formerly. A (juarter of a 
century ago the parish of Kcnilvvorth did not sell twenty tons of 
hay annually ; and that limited quantity had in some cases little 
care bestowed upon it beyond being turned a few times in the 
swathe. Now at least one hundred and twenty tons of choice 
produce are each year sent to market. These facts may be taken 
as an average sample of the position of our Midland districts 
then and now : if some places could show a better account, others 
would be as far behind us. 
Very fortunately our subject does not require a full description 
of the art and process of haymaking, otherwise we should be 
tempted, after the example of other agricultural v/riters, to follow 
the Middlesex account, either witli or without an ac knowledgment. 
We speak only of such improvements as are "recent;" and we 
are warranted in assuming that this word refers rather to modern 
as contrasted with old-fashioned ways than to any given term of 
years. An advanced farmer may have adopted, for ten years or 
more, practices which, to the world at large, are quite recent 
introductions. 
It is evident, therefore, that these improvements must come 
under one or other of the following divisions : — 
I. Lessened expense in the different operations ; or, 
II. Increase in the quantity or quality of the produce. 
Although those persons who make a business of contracting 
for haymaking in its season are unwilling to submit to lower 
prices than formerly — say, for a crop of about 30 cwt., 15s. 
per acre for the complete job, including thatching — yet this 
does not prove that the process is not now more economi- 
cally managed. Crops are generally heavier ; such persons 
usually lack the aid of improved machinery ; while, apart 
from this, the rise in wages is of itself sufficient to account for 
the price remaining comparatively the same. A century and a 
half ago an able-bodied man's wages in this locality was 6rf. 
per day in summer, and bd. in winter ; they are now from 12s. 
to 14s. per week, while the increase in his comforts is by 
no means in the same proportion. And besides, the rates for 
work of the same character differ greatly in different localities. 
"VOL. XXIII. E 
