786 = 520 The Agricultural Labourer. 
Woman's 
labour much 
in request in 
the north. 
occasionally killing a porker of their own feeding for the u 
of their household. The necessary straw for this purpose 
generally given by the master, and it afterwards provides a usei 
supply of manure for the garden. The quantity of land 
occupied varies considerably ; but it is seldom less than about 
fourth of an acre, and is sometimes (though rarely) as much as h 
an acre in extent. The rent paid for a cottage of this kind van 
very much. It is sometimes not more than 1.9. a week, ai 
occasionally as much, when occupied with a rood of land, as 
per annum. Now, as it would be impossible to build sue] 
pair of cottages at the present day for less than from 280/. 
300/., it is obvious that so small a rental leaves the owner wi 
a loss ; and that he has to recoup himself for his outlay fr 
the rent paid by the farmer. This positive advantage to tl 
labourer must not be lost sight of in considering his positio 
It is indeed equivalent to the addition of extra wages, and m! 
so be considered. It is an anomalous state of things ; but 
farmer finds a certain advantage in having his men upon 
farm, and handy for their work. 
In Northumberland and some adjoining counties it is, 
custom to provide the " hind," or hired ploughman, in ev 
case with a cottage, rent free. He has also a rood of land pr 
vided him on the farm for the growth of potatoes, for which t 
master finds the necessary horse-labour. He has, moreover, 
good garden ; his coals are carted free for him, and at i 
present time he is in receipt of 1/. a week in cash, wet weatb 
or dry, and, even in cases of sickness, up to the end of his ten 
which is always for a year.* There are very few districts whf 
such large wages as these are prevalent, but I have before point 
out that a free cottage and garden are the ordinary privileges 
carters and stockmen in very many parts of the country. 
In Northumberland, again, a man who can stack or sow g« 
the same wages and privileges as I have mentioned, and 
addition of either 6 bushels of wheat, or 2/. in cash. In tt 
county a sufficient number of cottages is invariably inclu 
with the farm, and charged for in the rent thereof; and t 
tenant finds it to his interest to bind his men to the land 
giving them their homes rent free. In return for such acco: 
modation, the labourer is required to provide an unmarri 
woman worker whenever needed. These young women, w 
belong to a particularly fine and strong race, are used to 
* I am informed by a friend, who is engaged lai'gely in agriculture 
Northumberland, that the rise in labonr there has been 22/. per annum in 
case of hinds, ' and 50 per eent. in the ca.se of women-workers, wittiin the 
ten years. Almost the whole of this remarkable inerease has taken place in 
last six years. 
