The Agricultural Labourer. 
773 = 507 
eavily upon the funds of that institution, and displayed such 
nexpected resources upon the part of the masters that it arrested 
)r the time the progress of the movement, and had the effect of 
lowing the real strength of the combatants. Once tried, how- 
, er, it can scarcely be expected that the principle of Unionism 
ill be relinquished by the labourer ; and though he may find 
powerless to accomplish all the objects of his ambition, it is a 
eapon in his hands of which he may any day make fresh use, 
id of which it would be foolish on the part of the farmer to 
nore the force. 
CHAPTER II. 
Wages and Expenses. 
HE present ordinary wages in England for a common day- Weekly wages 
bourer vary from about 13*. a week in the south to 18s. in the of labourer. 
>rth-east, and up to 20s. or 21s. in the extreme north.* These 
ms, however, in the case of the lower-paid districts, do not 
present the real earnings of an able-bodied and willing worker. 
hav-time and harvest much higher wages are given ; and 
ecework being at other seasons of the year very generally 
opted for such work as hedging, ditching, and draining, a 
'od midland or southern labourer is enabled to supplement 
ese nominal wages to a large extent. In addition to these 
iges a house and garden are almost always given rent free to 
e shepherd, the herdsman, the waggoner, and, indeed, to any 
in to whom the charge of the live-stock of the farm causes 
nday — or any extra — work beyond the regular hours of labour. 
It is significant of the real value of the labourer at present 
it, notwithstanding the discrepancy I have pointed out in the 
e of wages, about the same sum is paid for the various 
"cework operations of the farm in districts where the lower 
ge prevails as in the higher-priced localities. 
Perhaps no better test of the prosperity of the working classes Condition as 
( the greater part of this country can be found than in the con- tested by ^ 
i Tiption of butchers' meat. In this matter a wonderful increase " 
Is taken place of late years; and although the consumption of 
I m-labourers does not yet equal that of the higher-paid artisans, 
i is much greater with that class than formerly. The best proof 
The price of ordinary day-labour fluctuates, of course, to some extent with 
supply and demand, the price of provisions, &c. Not so with yearly men. 
y are hired for a term, and for that period their wages are invariable. Never- 
less the day-labourer gets greater advantages in shorter hours of work, piece- 
k, &c. 
