180 
Farm Capital. 
bring with them the next day, as they would find that better than 
tlie water. These hints not being sufficient to soften my hard 
heart, more open murmuring was tried, and the men began to 
work carelessly, coming off the rick to go to the ponds or pumps 
to drink after unloading one load, and before they would com- 
mence another. They also exhibited other signs of mutiny. 
This of course could not be allowed, and after calling the men 
together, 1 told them I was not going to stand any such nonsense ;, 
I had kept my part of the bargain and they must keep theirs. 
They had had their money, and if they chose to spend it in 
other ways than in buying beer, it was no concern of mine. But 
I would have the work done, and I expected them out of their 
wages to buy such a quantity of beer as would enable them to 
work pro})erly. Finally, I ended by offering to release any of 
them who wished it from their bargain upon their returning me 
the extra Is. that I had paid them. But I said they might 
depend upon one thing, that I would let all the hay rot on the 
ground before I allowed my men to master me. One man began 
grumbling : I said, " Here is your money till to-day ; take 
your clothes and go off the premises instantly." There was no 
more trouble ; the others all returned to their work, and from 
that day till this I have never heard one word about beer. 
We soon got to understand each other better, but I never 
offered to pay them for overtime, putting them on their honour, 
as it were, and giving a moderate quantity of beer as an acknow- 
ledgment, when the work was kept on after eight o'clock at night,, 
and telling them that we should not disagree at Michaelmas. At 
Michaelmas I gave to each man who had behaved well, whether 
he continued with me or whether I replaced him by another,, 
half a ton of the best coal, which is worth here from 9^. to 10^. 
delivered. At Michaelmas also no man to whom I made the 
offer hesitated to accept my offer of I'os. a week for the next 
tv.elve months, and with the exception of what occuri-ed during 
the first summer I have never had a dispute with my men, and 
once only have I had to punish a man for refusing to work. 
I still continue giving at Michaelmas to every man who has 
been Avith me the preceding six months at least, and behaved 
well, coals, a Avaterproof cape, flannel, or some other thing which 
he selects as most useful to him ; I also give the boys a propor- 
tionate allowance. My labourers and I now work together upon 
the most cordial terms ; I never have a man offer to leave me. I 
have the pick of the village, although I let them clearly under- 
stand that I can make no more of my produce than my neighbours, 
and will pay no more for labour. But at the same time they 
perfectly untlerstand that I am willing to pay in such a manner, 
as to enable them to make the most of their strength and skill. 
