Somersetshire Farm-Prize Competition, 1875. 575 
[brambles were left to grow upon the summit, it was ascertained 
that a new edict had just been issued by the agent of the estate, 
insisting that the occupier was not to make hedges till of four 
'years' growth or more ; not to cut them the last year of the term, 
nor make more than a fourth part of the hedges in any year ; 
'not to cut the tops of hedges except when made, and to give 
lagent or bailiff five days' previous notice of making; to do the 
• work efficiently, and before the 10th of March, and as much as 
may be when the land is in tillage. Such a clause, if insisted 
upon, determines an epoch for retrograde husbandry on at least 
this farm, and must be discouraging to an enterprising tenant. 
The gates are in good order, and the premises well and neatly 
kept. 
Cottages and Labour. — Only two cottages are let with the 
farm. The other labour is drawn principally from the village 
of Capton. 
Carters work with their teams, Avhich contain three horses 
' each, from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., 1 hour being allowed for dinner. 
They receive 13s. per week, and 10s. bonus extra per quarter. 
In summer time they make from 1;^ to 1^ day's work within 
the 24 hours, being paid in proportion to the amount of work 
done: thus, for example, in ploughing the last furrow for turnips, 
■ three horses working abreast accomplish with a double plough 
3 acres a day. For this the carter receives 1^ day's pay. A 
stockman who works early and late receives 16s. per week, and 
cottage and garden rent free. Shepherd, 15s. per week, cottage 
and garden rent free, and 3/. bonus fo"- the lambing season. 
I General workmen 13s. per week. Hours of labour 6 A.M. till 
* 5 P.M., and 1^ hour's interval for meals. Boys, 4s. per v.'eek. 
Women, 5s. per week. Payment by results is also encouraged in 
the shape of piece-work. Swedes are Dutch hoed and singled 
on this principle, and harvesting has been partly worked, in the 
same way. The last few years the men have had a self-delivery 
I reaping machine, with horses and driver, found, and also a man 
to sharpen knives and cut the corners of the grain, and have 
been paid 4s. &d. per acre for cutting, binding, and stooking. 
The carrying has been done by day-work, the labourers receiving 
I 3s. %d. per day, and cider ad libitum. When the crops are 
I lodged the scythe is used, and 3s. 6c?. per acre given for cutting. 
No cider is allowed for ordinary work, but some is occasionally 
given at the employer's discretion. The cost of labour has 
I steadily increased from 3/. 10s. per week, or something under 
' 500Z. per annum, in Mr. Bowerman's father's lifetime, to 
290Z. in 1872, 
323Z. in 1873, 
432Z. in 1874, 
