East Riding of Yorkshire. 
127 
of his cottage, seems to be recognised in this Riding, for since 
this system was first introduced* it has been much extended, and 
a desire appears to prevail to carry it out wherever practicable. 
Generally it has not been thought desirable for the labourer to 
occupy more than 1 rood of land. There are cases, however, 
where cottage allotments exceed this quantity, and one instance 
might be named in the Riding where recently 14 or 15 appor- 
tionments of 1 acre each have been made to the labourers of the 
parish. It appears in this case that the land is of an extremely 
light and sandy nature, consequently it is as effectually tilled with 
hand implements as with the plough and harrow ; otherwise it is 
clear that the occupation of this quantity of land would absorb 
more of the labourer's time than is desirable in a part of the 
country where wages are high and the demand for labour great. 
In some counties the local agricultural societies have instituted 
cottagers' prizes, and have offered rewards, among other things, 
for the best cultivated cottage allotment. These prizes, it is said, 
have never failed to excite much competition, and to create con- 
siderable interest among the labouring classes; and it is to be 
wished that similar local societies of this Riding, of which there 
are four or five, should appropriate a small portion of their funds 
for a like purpose. These rewards consist usually of a small sum 
of money, and are accompanied by a card, having the prize-man's 
name printed on it in large letters; and there is little doubt that 
the honest pride with which the working man can point to this 
ornament of his humble mantel-piece, is not inferior to that of the 
successful competitor for the munificent premiums of the Royal 
English and other extensive Agricultural Societies of the king- 
dom, and, in its own sphere, is productive of results not less 
beneficial. 
Benefit Societies. — Throughout this Riding there exist nume- 
rous benefit societies, bearing the title of Societies of Odd Fellows, 
Shepherds, Druids, Foresters, &c. Many of these are affiliated 
branches of institutions, which have their central government at 
some populous places in the manufacturing districts — Manches- 
ter, Newcaste-under-Lyne, &c. ; but the management of their 
pecuniary interests is usually left to the parish or district, and no 
power, therefore, is in reality exercised by the central body ; but 
it is to be regretted that, inasmuch as these societies have secret 
symbols, their affairs are not always conducted with such publicity 
* Cottage allotments, as a system, were first introduced into this Riding 
by the present Lord Wenlock, of Esciick Park, who, soon after he suc- 
ceeded to the Escrick estate, viz. about the year 1823, among other plans 
for the amelioration of the agricultural labourer, established cottage allot- 
ments in each township on his property. 
