Agriculture of the Scilhj Isles. 
391 
St. Mary's the rent of good land is 0O5. to AOs. per acr(!. Poorer 
soils, and those in exposed situations, let for considerably less. 
All the islanders hold their land under one proprietor, who 
resides at Tresco. They have no leases. 
The entry on farms takes place on the 11th of October. The 
incomer has no payment to make for tillages or unexhausted 
improvements. 
From 6/. to 11. per annum is, in some cases, paid for a cottage 
with four good rooms, including, perhaps, a little garden ground ; 
but there are many who, favoured by circumstances, pay a much 
lower rent. Rates are low, including only the poor and the road 
rates. Together these consist of irom six to eight rates per 
annum, each of 3c?. to 4^/. in the pound. 
There are but few paupers, and these are sent to a union in 
another part of Cornwall on the main land. 
Native labourers are not numerous. The small farmers work 
for those who have larger holdings ; and, in busy times, labourers 
come over from Penzance. 
On St. Mary's labourers get 2s. Qd. per diem, with beer and 
supper in addition during harvest. On the other islands wages 
are lower. On St. Martin's lUs. a week is given. 
The working day is from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. in summer, half an 
hour being allowed for breakfast, and one hour for dinner. In 
winter it is from 8 a.m. till dark. 
Piece-work is contracted for by the field, not by the acre. We 
heard that high prices were given. 
The farmers on the islands appear to be prosperous. Few 
complained of high rents, and it is said that five acres sufiice for 
the support of a family. 
In the houses we visited there was no sign of poverty or 
straitened circumstances, but all the internal arrangements be- 
tokened the possession of plenty and abundance. 
The prices of provisions are much the same as in other parts of 
Cornwall. In the following Table are given the prices of various 
kinds of food at three different periods : — 
1750. 
1822. 
1850. 
Pel- 11). 
Per lb. 
Per lb. 
Beef 
nd. 
4d. 
bid. 
Mutton 
2^d. to 3d. 
■id. to 4 id. 
bd. 
2id. 
4d. 
Id. 
Pork 
2J(Z. to 3d. 
Sid. 
" Scarce." 
Is. 3d. to Is. 4d. 
1U(L to Is. 
Eggs 
2Jti. per doz. 
3d. to 4d. per doz. 
4d. to Gd. per doz. 
