Tlie Labour Bill in Fanicing. 
101 
At Knettishall ploughing is paid for at the rate of Is. id. per 
ixcre. As Knettishall is a light-land farm, two acres are generally 
finished off in a day with a double plough, without hurting either 
men or horses. On heavy land a different rate of pay would of 
course be necessary, and there the farmer must take care that in 
ploughing by piecework the strength of the horses is not over- 
taxed. Upon a heavy-land farm a man might not be able to do 
more than half an acre a day, and this day's work might try the 
horses more than two acres upon light soil. Another scale would 
be necessary upon mixed-soil farms, and upon the same farm 
difference of soil might require two different scales of remunera- 
tion. There would be no greater difficulty, however, in providing 
for these cases than has been experienced here, where for two 
years past the system has been found a fair one both to master 
and men. An obvious objection to it is, that the work may be 
hard or easv, according to the season, and that a price which is 
just at one time may be inadequate or excessive at another. 
Mr. Mathew gets over the difficulty by putting out the ploughing 
at a fixed average price, taking one season with another. After 
a little experience, and with a mutual wish to give and take on 
both sides, such an adjustment of pay is not hard to make. The 
conditions of this work are so various and so complicated, that 
no general rule can apply. On either side of a hedge the soil 
may be such as to require different pay for the men employed in 
ploughing it. Average rates would probably be the best in such 
cases, having regard to the soil upon the farm generally. Here 
it is found that, with Is. Ad. an acre all round, the men earn an 
average of about 4r/. a day above the rate of daily wages. The 
practice is for the men on piece-work to draw money from week 
to week from their employer to the amount of weekly wage they 
would receive if paid at the current wage-rate. An account of 
their earnings is kept meanwhile. If they want a little moiiey 
on account they can have it. At the end of two or three months 
a. balance is struck, and they receive whatever surplus is found 
due to them. 
For mowing the men receive \0d. an acre, the farmer, of course, 
finding machines and horses. After the mowing is ended, day- 
woik begins till the hay is fit for carrying. Piece-work is hardly 
possible then on account of the weather, for in fickle weather the 
work must sometimes be done over and over again. Pitching 
and loading are done by the piece. Sixpence is paid for a 2-horse 
waggon-load, which would be nearly equal in the loose state to a 
ton of hay in the truss. A good day's work would be 32 loads, 
and this would be the work of four men, two to pitch and two to 
load. At 6rf. a load these four men would earn I65., or is. a day 
apiece, and they are allowed two pints of beer. Unloading on 
