Tlie Labour Bill in Farming. 
91 
reverse. As a matter of course this increase tells adversely upon 
the occupier, diminishing his profits, and, as any reduction of 
vent is improbable, placing him in a very awkward dilemma. 
The use of machinery and the progress in agriculture of late 
years have given a fillip to wages. The more frequent use of 
steam has developed the intelligence of the labourers, some of 
whom must manage the steam-machinery. The various local 
agricultural Societies have also done their best to encourage latent 
talent amon» the men. The result is that, while the condition 
of the mass of labourers has improved, such ol them as possess 
any exceptional skill have often benefited still more. This is as 
it should be." Then my correspondent shows how the recent 
agitation in the labour market has acted upon supply and 
demand ; but into these moot questions we need not follow 
him. 
If from the Eastern and the Midland Counties we take a short 
flight to Scotland, we find the labour bill there apparently in- 
creasing quite as rapidly as in England. The following notes 
are kindly furnished to me by an Aberdeenshire gentleman 
practically acquainted with the farming of that district : — 
" The average cost of farm-labour in Aberdeenshire (I use this 
word, though it may be held to include good part of three or four 
neighbouring counties) has nearly doubled within about a quarter 
of a century. The ordinary mode of engagement is to provide 
the labourer with board and bed, and pay half-yearly wage. 
Thus : — 
Wages in 1840, Wages in 1874, 
per 6 months. per 6 months. 
£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d, 
1st ploughman .. from 7 10 0 to 8 0 0 from 13 0 0 to 15 0 0 
2nd ditto .. ,, 6 0 0,,7 0 0 , , 11 10 0 , , 14 0 0 
Cattlemen .. .. 6 0 0 , , 7 10 0 ,, 13 0 0 , , 15 0 0 
Female workers .. ,, 2 10 0,,300 ,, 500, ,600 
" It is not the large increase of wages our Northern farmers 
complain of ; it is that the men who are most capable and efficient 
go off through emigration, and otherwise seek to benefit them- 
selves, in such large proportion, leaving only the less capable 
and less enterprising at home. For example, a large farmer and 
well-known breeder of Shorthorns complained to me the other 
day that, while perfectly willing to pay wages for competent 
ploughmen at the rates stated (practically 30Z. a year, with bed 
and board), his overseer had been compelled to fill up his staff 
largely with half-grown lads, experienced ploughmen being so 
scarce. 
" In the working of an Aberdeenshire farm of medium or large 
size, one ploughman, with a pair of horses for every 60 to 80 
acres, is deemed sufficient. On very small farms 50 acres require 
