Recent Improvements in Haymaking. 
59 
" The work is always lot by the acre, for money only, and then 
an account is kept ol' the quantity of drink consumed by each 
party. This is charged to them a,t the rate of 4d'. per gallon for 
tea, and 5^/. for coffee, which is less than cost price, the object 
being to n-gulate the quantity according to each man's capacity 
or inclination. Some men will drink six cpiarts a-day, while the 
average consumption is from three to four quarts a-day. The 
weather will sometimes cause a variation of twenty-five or even 
fifty per cent, in the daily requirements. The men employed at 
carting and stacking the crop, which is paid for by the day, have 
their tea or coffee — as much as required — without any stoppage. 
" We are quite convinced that the men have more regular 
appetites for nutritious food, that they enjoy better sleep at night, 
are more fresh and vigorous in the morning, do more work, and do 
it better than on the old system. Of course the saving to the 
men is considerable. Their drink only costs them about four- 
pence per day, while the ale and beer consumed in the neigh- 
bourhood, is seldom much under and often over one shilling per 
man per day : besides which, by doing more work, they earn 
more money. 
" The insinuation has sometimes been made that they obtain the 
prohibited ale and beer 'on the sly.' This is probably true in 
some odd cases, but with close scrutiny I never detected but one 
such case in seven years ; and I believe that there is very little 
deception practised even among the ' black sheep ' who may creep 
in at a busy time among the other men." 
Mr. Wilson's testimony is all the more valuable, since he has 
probably done more than any other man to elucidate this par- 
ticular subject. Reader and writer must alike thank him for the 
above practical, AND practicable, information. 
This brings us to the second branch of the subject, viz. : — 
Inceease in the Quantity or Quality op the Pboduce. 
This is a legitimate branch of our subject, because whatever 
affects the article grown, in either of the above respects, is natu- 
rally and intimately connected with the " improvements in 
haymaking," of which an account is requested. Whether the 
cost of " getting " is diminished, or the saleable bulk and value 
of the hay is increased, the farmer reaps the advantage. The 
cost of haymaking could be reduced to a minimum, by leaving 
the meadows or uplands without care, culture, or amelioration ; 
but that would assuredly not tend to the profit of the occupier. 
So, on the other hand, the quantity and quality of the produce 
being greatly increased, a higher outlay for labour may in reality 
be at a lower rate than the former minimiJm. 
