790 = 524 
The Agricultural Labourer. 
parts of the same county it is not uncommon for these lads > 
, become inmates of the farmer's own house, where they if 
generally properly cared for. In other parts of the count , 
where the villages are thickly scattered, they procure lodgir s 
and in Scot- wherever they are able. But in Scotland, a custom has • 
some time been prevalent of providing separate accommodati 
for all the unmarried workers upon the farm. This plan 
known as the " Bothy system," and has been a distinguish] 
characteristic of Scotch agriculture. A kind of kitchen is p 
vided in a convenient position for the work, and an old won 
is placed in charge, upon whom devolves the cookery, t 
The beds are over the stables and cattle-sheds, and the ; 
commodation is altogether of a far inferior kind to that usi 
in England. Mr. Jenkins has pointed out (in vol. vii., n 
series, of the Royal Agricultural Society's ' Journal,' " Rep 
on some Features of Scottish Agriculture ") that needless blai 
has been attached to this institution, which is really in its 
only a humble form of club ; but it is certain that the ill-repi 
in which the system is held has induced many Scotch farm( 
to change its name whilst retaining its general character. T 
quarters, accordingly, where the young people congregate no , 
a-days are generally designated as " barracks " and " kitchen 
a distinction, it must be confessed, without a great differem 
It is, however, not necessary to dwell upon these features oft 
young ploughman's life, and I pass on to other consideratio 
affecting his after-career. 
CHAPTER IV. 
Provident and other Societies. 
From my remarks at the beginning of this Paper, I think 
will be understood that the English labourer has not yet learn 
to save ; and, on the contrary, that the Scotch labourer is usual 
a thrifty and frugal man. 
I have entered somewhat fully into the causes which ha 
worked ag-ainst the Englishman. A lax administration of t 
Poor Law, and a habit on the part of the authorities of gin.' 
out-door relief in cases where there was no justification for su 
indulgence, have tended to weaken his self-reliance and his se 
respect. But other causes have also been at work to the sai 
effect, to some of which I must briefly allude. 
Among the various efforts which have at different times be 
made to improve the condition of the poor, a foremost pi 
must be assigned to " Benefit Societies," intended to afford re' 
