298 
Report on the Farm-Prize Competition q/" 1872. 
to build the large barley-ricks in an oblong sbape, while the 
wheat-stacks are round, and often contain 40 to 45 quarters each. 
The shepherd, knowing well the importance of harvest time, 
leaves his sheep that he may come and build the ricks ; and 
those seen by the Judges in February certainly did him credit. 
The thatching, too, though by whom done they did not inquire, 
was also the perfection of neatness. 
Except for contract work, no extra wages are given in corn 
harvest. On carting days, however, both men, women, and 
boys are given dinner, and, if kept late in the evening, are 
allowed bread and cheese, or some such refreshment, at 6 P.M. 
Threshing. — Threshing of the grain at Slough is done by 
one or other of the itinerant firms who make it their business to 
travel through the country with a complete steam apparatus for 
the purpose. The general charge is 2>d. per bushel for wheat 
or barley, which covers the tying of the straw, sacking, and 
wheeling the grain into barn or granary. No beer or cider is 
included in the contract, but, if the work be efficiently and 
quickly performed, a moderate quantity of " drink" is generally 
given over. 
Labour. — Extra hands, we have already said, are engaged in 
corn-harvest. The following, however, is a list of the staff of 
labourers generally employed by Mr. Parsons, who, we may add, 
Weekly Wages. 
Perquisites. 
Shepherd. 
£ 
0 
s. 
13 
d. 
0 
Cottage and garden, 20 perches of potato 
ground prepared and manured, 30». extra for 
lambing time, and 30s. for rick building. 
Carter. 
0 
11 
0 
Cottage and garden, 20 perches potatoes ma- 
nured, raised, and sent home ; half a fat 
pig, breakfast on Sundays, and dinner when 
from home with his team. 
Ploughman. 
0 
11 
0 
20s. extra from May to September. 
Ditto. 
0 
11 
0 
Ditto ditto ditto 
Cattleman. 
0 
12 
0 
30s. extra on 1st of May ; 20 perches potato 
ground prepared and manured ; breakfost on 
Sundays. 
Labourer. 
0 
11 
0 
Task work allowed when possible, and cottage 
at 3Z. a year. 
Ditto. 
0 
11 
0 
Ditto ditto ditto 
Boy. 
0 
5 
6 
Ditto. 
0 
4 
6 
Ditto. 
0 
2 
6 
4 12 r, 
