122 
On Measure Work. 
Among the advantages of task-work to the labourer are — 
1. The occasional employment of his wife and children, who 
in some kinds of work render material assistance, and add con- 
siderably to the earnings of the married labourer. 
2. It gives the labourer habits of exertion, for he finds his 
earnings depend entirely upon the diligence which he exercises; 
and should the labourer even be inclined to be indolent, he will 
be obliged to perform an equal share by his fellow-workmen. 
3. It stimulates the skilful labourer to learn the best and 
quickest way of doing his work ; for he well knows that he is 
certain of employment at a good price, if he is able to perform 
his work in a superior manner ; and the quick dispatch of labour 
>vill add to his earnings. 
4. The wages of a steady and industrious^ task-labourer will 
amount to more than the earnings of the day-labourer, and there- 
fore he may live more comfortably. 
5. He becomes more respectable and independent in his cha- 
racter, and he takes more concern in his master's affairs and 
well-being than the day-labourer. 
The advantages of task-work to the farmer or employer are as 
follow : — 
1. The quick dispatch of labour ; for in hay and corn harvests, 
as well as in hoeing root-crops, it is often of the utmost import- 
ance to have the work performed as quickly as possible. 
2. A greater quantity of work may be done for a given sum 
of money than by employing day-labourers. 
3. Task-men do not require so much looking after as men 
engaged by the day. 
4. The farmer can employ his steady and skilful labourers by 
the piece ; by thus giving the preference to the labourers who 
execute their task in a workmanlike manner, he renders them a 
pattern for the other men. 
In most kinds of task-labour I would not advise the employ- 
ment of many labourers in one company ; though in hay and 
corn harvest, sowing turnips on the drill-system, dibbling wheat, 
and in some other cases, a combination of force is necessary. 
The objection to great numbers being together is, that there may 
be some men of loose habits, who will induce the others to spend 
a porticm of their earnings in drink ; — when this is carried to any 
extent the work is in general done badly. As an instance of the 
bad effects produced on the moral conduct of the labourers them- 
selves by the promiscuous employment of great numbers of both 
sexes, we may mention the gang-system practised in parts of 
Norfolk and Suffolk ; and which is a great cause of vice and 
demoralization among the class of people who are obliged to 
