On Measure Work. 
141 
require an opening of the land to enable either party to estimate 
the price. The too frequent practice is to say, " Go on, and I 
will do what is right when we settle." The consequence is gene- 
rally a squabble on the day of reckoning, for the men expect 
more than the job is worth, because they have spent so much 
time over it ; and the master offers a little more than the wages of 
men at day-work, because he will not trouble himself to value 
the actual job. The fair price is in such cases seldom given. 
The parishioners often refuse a job at a fair price, because 
they say " they must have work or be kept." The strangers take 
the same as a fair bargain, and do well. I could mention case 
after case to illustrate this fact. The spirit of opposition should 
be firmly and fairly met by proving when it is finished the cor- 
rectness of the value which had been affixed to the job before 
it was commenced. It is also essential to estimate the time 
in which the job can be properly finished ; and it should be 
made a part of the bargain that the job should be completed by 
a given day, unless the weather prevent it. No other excuse 
should hinder it, for in the case of illness or other inability the 
contract should cease at once. It must not be forgotten that no 
summary remedy exists for the enforcing any contracts for mea- 
sure-work ; and that often the labourer who works in a party — 
of which the foreman alone agrees with the master, and the 
rest of the men agree with the foreman — is cheated by the 
foreman, and has no redress for which he can afford to pay. 
The master should therefore protect the whole of the men by 
some arrangement as to their individual payment. 
The drenching with liquor — beer, ale, or cider — is generally 
approved by the men, as it excites them for the time, and gives 
them what they call " a heart to work ;" but it is very unwise to 
adopt it as a practice. I advise that when they can be led to 
abandon the gratification, a money payment, rather exceeding the 
value of the liquor, should be made to them, which benefits their 
families, and enables the men to improve their diet. But at all 
events, if they cannot be led to abandon the liquor, I should 
advise the substitution of a supply of meat in lieu of a portion 
of the liquor, giving thereby strength to the men, and averting 
the evils of intemperance. Where the men are single or without 
family, I have found it difficult to lead them to abandon the 
temporary gratification ; but in that case, I would narrow the 
allowance as much as possible, and give them the remainder that 
would be due to them in the shape of clothes or tools, for the 
purpose of proving to them the benefit of my plan. Many masters 
give liquor as a spur for the momentary exertion to serve their 
immediate purpose, regardless of the injury done to the men ; 
some give liquor to save their pockets ; none, within my know- 
