HD
1925
N24
EVIDENCE
ON THE CAUSE OF THE PRESENT
AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION
OBTAINED FROM PRACTICAL AND
BONA-FIDE FARM LABOURERS,
ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE
National agricultural laborineseinika,
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE N.A.L.U.
PRICE THREEPENCE.
Leamington:
CURTIS AND BEAMISH, PRIORY TERRACE.
1880.
}
HD
1925
N28
7-17-44 DUH
gift
Travitation letrares
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PREFACE.
During the Session of Parliament of 1879, the question of
Agricultural Depression was brought before the House of Commons,
when her Majesty's Government deemed it wise, on the proposal of
Mr. Chaplin, to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the
cause or causes of such depression. The suggestion met with her
Majesty's approval, and the Commission, having received the royal
assent, the Executive Committee of the "National Agricultural
Labourers' Union" were unanimous in their opinion that the farm
labourers ought, in all fairness, to have one of their own class on
that Commission. The General Secretary of the Union was
instructed to write to Mr. Cross, the Home Secretary, requesting
that the farm labourers might be represented on that Commission by
one of their own order. This modest and just request was denied.
The excuse given by Sir Stafford Northcote in the House of Commons
was that it would be difficult to find a labourer who could spare the
time to make the necessary enquiries. The Committee were
determined that the labourers should be heard, and that their
views should be elicited as to what they considered to be the
causes of the present depression in Agriculture.
The Committee therefore at once forwarded circulars to about a
thousand Villages and Agricultural Towns, soliciting information
on the subject. The following, among other questions, were
asked:- "How many Labourers were employed ten years ago,
and what was the amount of produce per acre then ?" "How many
Labourers are employed now, and what is the produce per acre now ?”
The answers returned are unanimous and explicit, and given by
experienced and reliable farm labourers, are entitled to thoughtful
attention. The Committee, after receiving this valuable testimony,
dib
4
have decided to publish the same in a pamphlet form, so that not
only the farm labourers, but the general public may have the
opportunity of reading for themselves the Labourers' opinions as
to the main causes of the present Agricultural Depression.
Much evidence of a similar character might have been added,
but it was desired to avoid needless repetitions.
Theorists may ignore it, but no men living know better the cause
of the decline in our Agriculture, than the men who till the soil.
The Committee, therefore, have great pleasure in submitting to
the public the valuable evidence of a number of bona fide labourers,
hoping that some practical steps may speedily be adopted, to
remedy the evil now so widely felt
JOSEPH ARCH.
10
5
The following letters have been received from CHAS. H. HOPWOOD,
Esq., M.P., and S. MORLEY, Esq., M.P.
"Dear Sir,
I agree with you in feeling that much good might be done
by the institution of a Supplemental Commission to supply the
deficiency in the one actually appointed, of members who should
have represented faithfully the large number of the community who
desire to see the questions of Game, Primogeniture and Entail, &c.,
well sifted. The first, however, was as effectually exposed as we
could hope for, by Mr. Bright's Committee; and in regard to the
other two, or rather the one question of the Land, I think our
energies had better be directed to collecting evidence which can in
a measure be forced on the Members of the present Commission,
and, if refused by them, published with some sort of authority.
For all this, I fear Funds will be short enough, but to under-
take the formal conduct of an independent enquiry would cost
immensely more.
"I think, therefore, that if some organization of moderate but
resolute aims were employed in collecting evidence for the prose-
cution or indictment, as it were, of the head points of our system
before the Commission, it would be productive of public benefit.
Truly yours,
"Sept. 8, 1879.
"Mr. G. Mitchell."
CHAS. H. HOPWOOD,
"1, Essex Courts, Temple, E.C.
"Dear Sir,
"There can be no doubt about the importance of seeing that
proper evidence is forthcoming for the Commissioners on Agricul-
tural distress. Everything will depend on the fitness of the men
who will prepare such evidence.
'The subject was discussed before I left London, and I shall
watch the development of some suitable effort.
It would be very
desirable for the Labourers to have their interests properly consi-
dered and defended. But we must steer clear of too antagonistic
a position.
“I shall be happy to hear from you again, to Wood Street.
"Truly yours,
"S. MORLEY.
"Mr. Mitchell."
EXPLANATION OF
OF TABLES
IN FOLLOWING PAGES.
THOSE NUMBERED
1
2
3
No. of men
Present produce
Men employed
now employed.
per acre.
10 years ago.
A Comb is 4 Bushels.
A Sack
4
A Bag
3
Beds. Load
5
""
Kentish Load 40
4
Produce per
acre then.
?
EVIDENCE.
BEDS. AND HUNTS.
LITTLE GRANDSON.
123 →
100 acres
500
400
unoccupied
4
100
""
GAMLINGAY.
1
1
225
5 combs ...
3}
""
4
9
337
4
7 combs.
5
""
4
9
""
1
150
,,
2
160
4
3
110
5
4:
200
4
5
200
4
""
6
150
7
80
>>
8
200
9
200
10
150
∞ ∞ A NGAAGAN
2
771124
101-
4
9
པ
""
9
6
11
""
""
9
5
9
17
6
9
9
""
""
6
9
9
""
5
7호
​2
~~~ବା
7
9
35
""
3
9
""
4
7
7
9
""
3
5/1/201
6
9
""
""
3
7
6
11
""
11
210
4
7
4
9
""
""
12
60
,, and gardens 5
9
5
9
""
18
80
5
9
5
9
""
14
40
3
9
::
"
3
9
19
17
EYNESBURY.
123
85
5
35 B.
6 40 B.
>>
150
8
35
10
40
""
""
""
400
2
14
5
40
""
4
200
0
5
3
30
""
ST. GEORGE'S, HUTLEY.
1 300
""
2 1100
EAST HUTLEY.
7
5 combs.
9
7 combs.
10
61
18
73
COLO E LO
6 5
7
7
LO
6
5
11
9
19
5
6
7
:
5 7
7797
""
19
""
1934
2
300
200
""
5
""
300
""
200
""
Similar evidence from LIDLINGTON and DEAN.
со
8
BEDFORD—G. B. states, “One cause of the depression is the
non-employment of Labourers; many persons, whether they
hold large or small farms, do not employ half men enough to
cultivate the land they hold. The reason for this may be be-
cause they are yearly tenants; many have not capital enough to
manage their business, those that have dare not lay it out, because
their landlords may come on them and give them six months'
notice to quit, then all they have laid out is thrown away.
The
game laws have acted very much against the interest of the
tenants, who after finding food for the game, are often forbidden to
kill any for themselves. Even this year, which has been a bad
season, on some of the cold land in Beds, there have been as
good crops as one need wish to see. One farmer told me that
his crops were good, when his land was properly done, but, to use
his own words, Farmers were getting into a state of negligence and
idleness,their land is not half cultivated, and so their crops are bad."
BUCKS.
WINGRAVE,
1
2
2
1 farm 350 acres
150
1
20 B.
4
1
20
3+3
4
40 B.
10
""
""
""
SHERRINGTON-The west end of this village has become a total
standstill through bad cultivation. No employment of labour has
starved the land, and starved the farmer. Several are at a stand-
still. There are six farms adjoining of about 800 acres, and
only 6 men employed, therefore the country cannot wonder at
the present state of things.
WAVENDON-In this parish before 1872 the farmers used
to have their land laid up in 4-yard lands, the furrows drawn
out, and men to level them down, with a water furrow across the
low places, and then as soon as the rain ceased the water was
gone, and the water courses were kept open; then the land
brought forth, some 40 bushels, some 60 to the acre, and on these
farms we used to average 1 man and a boy to every 20 acres, but
now there is not 1 man employed to every 50 acres. On that
same land one of the farmers has been threshing 20 acres of
Barley, from which he had 20 qrs., and then said he would sack
all his men. If the farmers would employ the same amount of
labour as formerly there would soon be an end to the depression.
Same kind of evidence from NEWTON LONGVILLE and CASTLE-
THORPE.
9
SPARSHOLT.
BERKS
1
3
1 farm
1300 acres
yearly
2 MHLO CO E
300
""
3
300
lease
""
600
""
"
yearly
5
700
lease
""
99
6
600
""
yearly
4
7
150
lease
""
""
8
9
100
""
""
200
""
10
600
""
""
yearly
lease
yearly
2
LTL LO HN NNM
5
8
4
5
4
6
5
7
5
7
8
2
3
•
3
2
3
47
•
The average yield is 3 qrs. to the acre, 10 years ago it was 6.
Some of the best land in the County if cleaned and cultivated. I
have never known the land so foul as now, and I have lived about
here nearly 50 years. Three farms have been thrown into one this
last year, and 3 men employed instead of 6, as formerly. 200 or
300 acres of meadow land all bad for want of draining.
Also from Aston.
WINFRITH.
1 950 acres
MAP-POWDER.
1
500
2
500
""
DORSET.
1
2
3
4
9
...
3/ qrs.
12
5 qrs.
6
5
8
5
11
12
∞∞
8
8
LANGTON MALTRAVERS-The farm I am on is about 400 acres,
there is a dairy of 40 cows, and a carter with 4 poor jaded horses
just able to crawl about, a man called a bailiff, who does but
little work on the farm; so of course thistles and emmet mounds
abound. The next farm is rented by the same party, and is
1000 acres, with about 6 labourers, 4 carters, and 3 or 4 boys;
nothing is properly done, the corn not weeded, thistles in many
places thicker than the corn. Another farm, with not half the
labourers employed that are needed, is in a most disgraceful
state, the thistles are so thick they look like a dead copse. There
is a small farm let with it, which is in such a state that it is not
worth 5s. per acre, completely covered with fern and brambles.
The poor men would gladly give 20s. an acre for this land, and
would make a good living out of it. If the landlords would let
the land in smaller farms there would not be half the distress
there is.
10
LITTLE CANFORD-I have been for very many years connected
with farm work, and believe the present depression arises mainly
from the following causes :-
1. Many farmers have more land than they can manage, and in
some cases more than they want, even when times were better.
2. They have no security for their capital, therefore do not care to
invest their money or put their energies into farming.
3. In many cases too much machinery is employed, and not enough
manual labour, and so neglect many of the important details of
farming. Many of the farms are not half cultivated, and choked
up with all sorts of weeds.
4. A great deal more draining is needed, and less restrictions as to
the manner of cropping.
5. The game laws: as the game destroys much of the crops, and
often to a ruinous extent.
6. Tithes, and many of the taxes want removing.
7. Rents are too high, and must be reduced.
8. Unjust land laws: the land should be made free, a good tenant
right bill framed and passed.
9. Large farms, which need dividing, and small holders encouraged,
so that more food may be grown at home, and prevent so much
money going out of the country to buy food.
10. The waste lands, downs, &c., should be taken up by the
Government, and allotted to the labourers with homesteads, on
condition that they were well cultivated.
11. The appointment of Government Inspectors to see that all
land was properly cultivated.
Similar evidence from CHARLTON MARSHALL and WHITE
CHURCH.
MAP-POWDER-Much mischief done by the game, my master had
50 sacks of oats eaten by rabbits in one field this year. The
rates and taxes press very heavily on the farmers, the land wants
more labour and better cultivation, with a different system of
letting.
WINFRITH-Nearly half the land in this neighbourhood is lying
uncultivated, partly from the farms being so large and the capital
too small, and partly from the restrictions that the farm is under.
One man who cultivates his own land grew 4 qrs. wheat and
5 qrs. barley per acre this last season. Another farm the mowers
could not tell which would make the largest stack, the corn or the
thistles, and on the same farm 2 years ago a man cut with one
fair sweep of the scythe 27 docks.
FARNHAM-One farm here of 800 acres, only 11 labourers; one
500 acres with 3 labourers; one 300 only 1 man, and another of
11
150 acres 2 men. Much of the depression arises from the use
of reaping machines, owing to the horses being used in cutting
when they should be employed in cleaning the fallow land; and
from the foul state of the land, which is choked with weeds,
through insufficiency of labour. The farms used to be in smaller
holdings and then more men were employed-then the average
crop was 10 or 12 sacks per acre, now it is not half that quantity.
ESSEX.
CRESSING.
1 farm 400 acres lease
1
2
3
4
7
3 qrs.
14
...
5 to 6 qrs.
2
250
3
211
7
""
""
""
""
3
4
100
owner
3
5
4
6 to 7
""
""
""
200
lease 4
4
6
5 to 6
""
وو
";
5
""
1
100
3
19
42,"
5
5 to 6
دو
213
""
6
7
8
170
GREAT WIGBOROUGH.
""
39
33
12345 CO
""
700 yearly 16
100
40
184
""
lease 4
1
yearly
""
""
að að Ha
3
3
25
8
20.00
...
4
2
3
3
""
4
""
""
2
""
""
""
100
3
3
29
""
""
""
""
5 sacks
3 qrs.
""
...
6
::
8
4
7
LO HILO LO LO LO LO
5 qrs.
4
""
5
335
5
""
5
5
5
""
116
2
3
5
6
""
""
""
""
་་
9
107
lease 3
3
6
""
""
""
10
""
""
500 yearly 5
3
10
...
11
500
lease 6
3
""
""
40
1
10
☺ ☺ ☺
13
LO LO LO LO
5
""
5
""
༤
5
""
5
""
""
""
99
""
12
BRADWELL.
123 4 5 6
""
250
100
lease 7
3층
​3/1/20
""
13
5 to 6 qrs.
""
yearly 2
2/1/10
4
4 to 5
...
50
Owner 1
3
2
5
""
""
""
50
lease 1
2/1/1/0
2
4 to 5
""
""
40
owner
2
4
2
5 to 6
""
""
59
7
35
55
THEYDON MOUNT.
1
21
2
5
""
19
2
3
3
5
>>
""
123
400
lease
4.
2
""
""
150 yearly
1
3
140
1
""
4
200
0 1
""
5
100
1
GOA IB
33
""
2
""
3
""
""
""
6 unoccupied.
•
•
14
6
7 qrs.
6
784
4
5
6
""
""
12
LAYER BRETON.
1
2
3
4
123 +
400 acres
lease
15
4/1/2qrs.
16
...
200
5
3
7
14/12/24
5 qrs.
2 "
""
3
270
5 small farms 10
5
13
10
""
4
105
5
3
::
6
5
""
""
DENGIE.
10 farms 2057 acres lease 20
TILLINGHAM.
22 farms 3309
21,
...
38
21/
38 5,
70 5,
crop is 2 qrs. per acre,
The land is good, but
BULPHAM-17 farms, 1505 acres, 17 labourers employed, for-
merly there were 37. Now the average
10 years ago it was 5 to 6 qrs. per acre.
badly cultivated for want of labour.
NORTH BENFLEET.
1 farm, 1050 acres, on lease, 10 years ago employed 35 men and
boys and worked 30 horses, and grew 5 qrs. per acré ; at present
employs 20 men and boys, works 21 horses, is in bad condition,
and grows 2 qrs. per acre.
2 farm, 500 acres, on lease, 10 years ago employed 16 men and
worked 21 horses, and grew 5 qrs. per acre, now employs 13 men,
works 17 horses, and grows 3 qrs. to the acre.
3 farm, 200 acres, on lease, formerly employed 8 men and worked
8 horses, grew 5 qrs. to the acre, now 6 men, work 7 horses, and
grows 3 qrs. to acre.
4 farm, 70 acres, on lease, 10 years ago employed 3 men and 4
horses, and grew 5 qrs. to acre, now employs the same number
and grows 4 qrs. to acre.
In reference to these figures some will say these deficiencies are
filled up by machinery, but the machine chiefly used is the mower,
which takes the horses off the land when they should be making
their fallows and cleaning the land—thus, with not having men
enough, to do the ordinary work, the summer work is drove into
the autumn, the autumn work into the winter, the winter into
the spring, and the spring work is never done at all. This is
making hay after the sun is gone, for by this method the wheat
crops never recover, for they are not strong enough to stand the
winter, and the spring crop being so late does not come
to perfection by harvest It is very unfair that the cattle
dealers who bring cattle from other countries should be taxed
with bringing cattle disease into the country, when, in fact, it is
bred at home in our farm yards. Formerly dung yards were
C
13
cleared and left 4 or 5 months to sweeten in summer, now the
dung is left in the yard till it is wanted on the land in the
autumn, so the yards are never sweet or cleared.
RAWRETH—450 acres, 10 years ago 6 labourers employed, now
only three, crops less than half.
Similar evidence from WITHAM.
GREAT WIGBOROUGH—The land here is as good as ever was
broken up if well farmed, but it is ruined for want of labour and
stock. On all these acres there are but about 12 cows and 500
sheep.
LAYER BRETON—I am working for a farmer who holds over
500 acres, who never keeps either sheep or pigs on his farm, only
a few bullocks in winter, and there will be this year acres and
acres of grass spoiled on this farm.
WITHAM The nationalization of the land would be the
most certain and effectual cure, but the country is not ripe
for this at present, therefore we must accept such redress as
the people are prepared to demand and secure for themselves.
Corrupt class legislation in the past has created and perpetuated
class privileges, which have culminated in gigantic land monopoly,
that curses our country almost beyond endurance. From this
monopoly numerous evils arise, and the masses are suffering
much injustice and wrong, which it is to be hoped they will
shortly redress. Justice to the masses demands that this per-
nicious system must come to a speedy end. Therefore it is
necessary,
1. To abolish the law of primogeniture and entail, also the game
laws, and the tithes, and all hereditary legislative privileges; and
remove all vexatious and expensive legal processes, which now
hamper the sale and transfer of land.
2. Give protection to capital invested in the cultivation of land, by
granting lawful compensation for unexhausted improvements.
3. By the compulsory cultivation of cultivateable waste lands.
4. By the establishment of a system whereby small occupations and
the ownership of small plots of land would be possible and
encouraged in every parish.
5. The establishment of a minister of agriculture, and the proper
cultivation of the laud enforced by law.
6. That the law relating to land be such that no political privilege
or significance shall attach to the occupation or ownership of land,
more than to any other occupation or property.
14
GLOSTERSHIRE.
·8
123HLO CO TB
706
120
4
315
5
50
99
6
600
""
7
250
,,
50
"9
39
9
210
""
10
300
99
11
20
12
700
99
13
220
""
14
300
""
99
15
20
""
""
KEMPSFORD.
1 farm 606 acres
:::::
·
,
13
164222⇓⇓A
10
""
2
""
5
>>
5
>>
1
3
11 men employed. 14 10 years ago
18
""
::
381
""
""
""
10
""
4
""
2
6
99
6
>"
1
3.
20
4
6
1
""
NORTHLEACH.
1
1 farm 200 acres yearly 8 men emp. 3 qrs.
234
80
وو
2 boys
30
""
300
4 men
7
""
""
5
600
14
2∞∞∞ CO LO
3
4
3
و,
""
""
5
""
6
3/1/20
""
3
9
4
""
35
12
4
""
*
12 yrs. ago 4 qrs.
1
""
CORSTON.
1
100
1
4 sks. 1
8 sks.
""
وو
99
2
230
2
""
""
4호
​6
10
""
""
""
3
148
1
4
3
10
29
""
""
""
99
4
5
6
7
8
9
140
2
29
"9
230
Lease 1
99
""
3호
​""
31/12/20 2
2
,,
10/1/20
1/2",
10
""
135 ,, Yearly 1
4
1
""
170
2
5
5
29
95
1
19
وو
29
39
165
4
5
""
4호 ​3
""
4
""
""
10
350
1
4
99
""
""
""
11
150
1
4호
​2
8
10
9/3/2
10
""
""
18/1/20
10,
2 19
""
""
""
""
MICKLETON.
12 farms 2180 acres 24 men 8 boys
ALDSWORTH.
3000 acres 18 men 12 boys
40 yrs ago
3 1/2 qrs
SHIPTON OLLIFFE.-The farms in this neighbourhood are
mostly let on lease from 7 to 17 years, and ten farms,
about 2000 acres, mostly arable, in this parish, where ten
15
or twelve men used to be employed, are now in the occupation of
one man, who only employs 4 labourers. Land that formerly
produced 40 bushels to the acre, now only produces 24, and the
reason is that the twitch, thistles, and all sorts of weeds are per-
mitted to grow through non-cultivation, and the poor occupier
says the times are so bad that he can hardly find money to pay
his men.
CORSTON. One great cause of the present depression is
the want of draining. Much of the land about here is very
wet and in bad condition, owing to not being drained, and
scarcely anything can be grown on it, while other land well
drained is much better, though it has been a wet season. One
farmer had some land that would produce nothing; he drained it,
and sowed it with oats, and he says he has got enough oats above
an ordinary crop to pay the cost of draining.
2. The large farm system is another cause, as better cultivation
would be secured by letting the land in smaller lots, with security
for the capital employed.
3. The Game Laws are a great curse to the farmer.
4. The land is labour starved, not half the number of labourers being
employed that ought to be-one or two cases in proof :-Within
two miles of my cottage, a farmer has 200 acres, and keeps 3
men and 1 boy, and when cutting wheat in the autumn with his
labour-saving machine, the land was so wet that the machine sank
into the ground, and his horses could not pull it out, and it had
to be got out by the labourers-the farmer then offered his men
5s. per acre to cut it and tie it up. Another farmer occupies 250
acres, employs 4 men. These two farms present a heart-rending
spectacle. There is some land on one of these farms that has not
been troubled with any manure in the memory of the oldest men
in the parish. Another estate of 1,200 acres, is divided into 7
farms, held by 5 persons, employing 19 labourers. I think it is
a great mistake for one man to have two farms, for instead of the
proper number of men being kept on them they do with half the
number by taking them from one farm to another. I know of
one man who has 3 farms.
Similar evidence from EBRINGTON and TURK DEAN.
CORSTON. Non-employment of labourers, bad drainage and
the machinery used, are some of the causes of the depression,
together with the low wages paid; it is certain the lower
the wage the less the work done by taking 1s. off the
men's wages they offer a premium to the men to be idle and
careless.
NORTHLEACH.-The land for ten miles round here is in a most
filthy condition and completely labour starved.
16
2
340
""
""
3
167
""
4
220
""
5
300
BROADWELL.
1 farm 467 acres
yearly 3 men
3
Owner 2
yearly 3
1
,,
""
6
133
2
""
",
7
150
2
""
8
150
2
""
""
""
9
117
""
0
""
10
71
""
11
130
""
1
5 boys
7
""
LO CO LO ∞ ∞ ∞ &
39
5
3
6 men 10 boy
6
2
10
""
10
""
6
3
11
""
5
3
11
""
8
4
12
""
""
8
33
5
4
2
""
1
4
2
""
""
3
10
""
19
NNNN W
12
2
8
"
10
99
10
*
""
8
""
CHURT.
1
Lease
HANTS.
2
1 farm 185 acres 2 men 2 qrs. 2 b.
2
""
40
""
1,, 3,,
3
4 men
1
4
3 qrs. 4 b.
3
4
""
19
The present depression arises from the want of more labour, and the
large farm system.
HERTS,
SANDRIDGE—One farm of 500 acres, the average yield ten
years ago was 8 or 9 loads per acre, now it does not yield
5 loads; then, a fair number of men were kept, now only 4.
Another farmer holds three farms of several hundred acres, and
only employs four men. Another of 300 acres, the farmer is
nearly starved out, one third of it hardly ever cultivated, and
had no sheep for years-three men employed. Another 600
acres, four men employed, crops not more than half what they
were. Another of 200 acres, ruinous crops. I have known
abundant crops on this land-two men kept. The cause of
the depression, is not the clouds above or the absence of
sun, but man's folly. I have never before seen a failure of corn
crops when there has been an abundance of hay, unless the land
has been recklessly impoverished. If you take other crops of
hay, that are followed by corn, no one can deny that a good crop
of clover is a sure sign of a good crop of wheat, unless there is
wilful neglect. When was there greater crops than this last
harvest, so great that with machinery and horse power it could
scarcely be cut, but it was grass and dock, and thistles, and corn,
and the land was never intended to produce four crops for one
harvest, and no reasonable person would expect or need it. This
state of things has not taken us by surprise, we have expected it.
Never during the last five years have I seen a labourer wheat-
hoeing, and the farmers have brought their ruin on themselves
by their negligence and refusal to employ the needed amount of
labour.
17
KENT.
OTFORD." No wonder there is Agricultural depression, one
farmer in this parish, with 7 or 8 hundred acres, does not employ
one man to an 100 acres, and grows no more than 2 qrs. per
acre, the same land ten years ago averaged 4 grs. Another, with
5 to 6 hundred acres, does not employ one man to each 100
acres-grows now 2 qrs. per acre, formerly 4 qrs. Why? The
land is the same, but wants cultivating. It has been sown with
wheat 4 years in succession. Other farms are so badly managed
that the farmer can neither pay rent or labour."
Similar evidence from SHOREHAM and HALSTEAD.
TUNBRIDGE-The depression in agriculture is not entirely owing
to bad seasons, but mainly to bad farming, the land is labour and
cattle starved, and overrun with game. The Government returns
just issued show the total acreage of wheat in Great Britain, in
1879, was 2,890,000 acres; whereas in 1874 it was 3,630,000 acres,
showing a decrease of 740,000 acres in 5 years. The increase of
permanent pasture during the same period is 988,000 acres, and
a decrease of cattle of 269,000, and of sheep 2,159,000, not-
withstanding. How can farming be expected to pay under these
circumstances, with a good supply of game to devour and destroy
the scanty crops.
With an increase of population and a decrease
of produce, no wonder there is depression in agriculture. In
1878, according to Government returns,
£5,080,702 was paid for
2,171,904
Cattle imported
4
Sheep
8,669,310
Bacon
1,766,362
Beef
""
""
9,954,053
Butter
""
""
4,954,686
Cheese
""
"9
27,433,444
Corn Wheat
دو
""
24,305,074
6,784,197
2,386,143
"
3,599,462
£97,105,337 Total.
Other kinds
Flour ""
Potatoes
Other Meat & Eggs
""
If the land had been properly cultivated most of these would have
been produced by the British farmer, the manufacturing trade of
the country proportionately benefitted, and the present depression
prevented. To alter the present state of things, the tenant
farmer should be free from restrictive covenants, and have full
security for what he puts in the soil and for what he erects upon
it; the law of entail needs to be removed, and the transfer of
land made more easy and simple; the Game laws should be
abolished, and the Land Tax re-arranged; and a minister of
agriculture appointed to enforce the proper cultivation of the land.
18`
LINCOLNSHIRE.
BISHOP'S NORTON.
1 farm
1
2
700 acres yearly 6
4 Qrs.
2
370
2
3
""
""
""
""
3
350
3
3
وو
29
""
4
510
2
3
""
""
""
""
5
260
3
4
B84&D LO OD
3
3
""
""
""
""
75
1 4
""
6
""
5
3
4
5 Qrs.
4
19
5
4L 4 H
1 4
""
HACCONBY-Before the land monopoly set in, wheat would
average 6 qrs. to the acre. In this village there were 7 farms,
now they are put into three, besides several cottages taken from
the poor and added to the farms, 3 fields put into one, hedges
grubbed up, dykes filled in, and the labour greatly diminished.
The farmers don't rear young stock; formerly there was one
field with 2-year olds, and another with 1-year olds, now nothing.
of the kind. 3 years herbage has not been eaten off the land-
the land ruined, hay rotten, not stocked. Few dykes, never
cleaned, and when they want roading they set fire to them and
burn it out; if this will not lead to ruin what will ?
If they
have 50 per cent. returned they will not employ more labour. A
small occupier in this village, from 20 acres, this ungenial summer,
has had 4 qrs.wheat to the acre; this will show what labour can do.
BISHOP'S NORTON-The land round here is going to ruin for
want of labour.
FALDING WORTH-One farm here, 780 acres, did not employ a
man constantly last year, formerly there were 10 or 12 employed.
NORTHAMPTON.
1
550 acres yearly 5 men
2
3
4
2 qrs.
12 men
6 qrs.
2
5
""
S. KILWORTH.
1 farm
2
460
1
""
وو
39
3
4
5
CRICK.
100
""
""
340
""
""
""
60
321
""
28
""
""
""
5
3
3
""
""
""
""
44 T
6
5
""
1
10 10
""
5
5
""
1
200
owner
3
""
""
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
""
100
""
""
200
""
200
""
yearly 3
owner 3
yearly 4
23 2
21
Со со
3
""
""
3
5
""
""
6
5
""
2 1
""
""
3
10
6
""
""
"T
60
1
""
""
""
""
""
2000
owner 1
""
""
55
وو
yearly 1
""
1050
""
""
""
9
Owner 2
""
33
10
100
""
""
11
1000
""
""
12
1020
yearly 2
1
1
""
وو
""
Evidence of the
""
seeded down 4
2 qrs. 3
1 seeded down 10
3 qrs.
""
3
6
3
4
""
""
""
""
5
4
5
""
""
same character from NORTHAMPTON and
1/1/20
4
сл
5
""
""
""
4
""
99
6
པ
11
2/1/20
121212
""
TIFFIELD.
19
NORFOLK.
2
1000
10
9
""
""
""
3
540
7
""
""
""
4 1000
12
""
99
وو
5
420
7
""
""
""
""
BARTON.
1
2
3
4
1 farm 800 acres lease 13 men 7 cmbs. wht. 20 men 10 cmbs. wht.
""
""
brly. 16 12 brly.
20
20
""
""
9
NORTON SUB COURSE.
123TL
300
""
""
yearly 8,, 3 qrs.
12
4 qrs.
80
""
""
99
30
""
19
4
300
""
""
5
600
""
""
ANTINGHAM.
123
570
""
""
300
""
::
250
""
2 boys 2
4 men 6
7
14
12
10
4
";
""
3
5
10
""
1
3/1/1
""
3
9
""
5
12
44
""
7 combs
20
10 combs
""
""
9
14
12
""
""
""
6
9
10
""
""
""
""
4
CRIMPLESHAM.
1200
25
9
40
12
""
""
""
1
499
99
""
2
300
""
3
400
4&
2
""
""
10
5
5
7,, 10
""
7
10
""
""
""
7
"
10
7
10
""
""
Four other farms same average as last, as many men employed as
ten years ago.
SWAFFHAM.
13 farms 1874 acres ... 21 men 8 cmbs.
31 men 11 cmbs.
STANHOE.
123HL
980
""
owner 14,, 5 boys 9
same
9
""
600
lease
13,, 9 10
same
""
""
""
6
""
""
""
4
5
81
""
4호
​""
more
14 5 bys. 81/
"1
10½½"
7 12,, 91
""
15/12/20
""
580
520
480
180
"" ""
"
6"
ROCKLAND.
1 farm
370 acres
80
2
3
4
7 2
""
8,, 4
4
3"
1,
""
13 men
""
10 cmbs.
9
9
14 cmbs.
2 b. 11 ""
12 men
3
1
1
16
9
20
1
1 boy 8
2
1 b. 8
TUN
45
400
5
""
65
WINFARTHING.
1 farm 400 acres owner 5 men
7 combs 8 men
7
2
120
2
6
""
"9"
""
3 300
lease 4
99
""
""
""
WMH LO
4
5
""
""
""
350
90
52
""
"
6
8
""
""
3
6
8
""
4 99
11 ""
11 ""
""
10 combs
9
10
""
""
""
8
10
"
20
SAXLINGHAM.
1
2
1
2
"}
600 acres yearly 8 men
3
7 combs 12 men
4
10 combs.
317
4
7
10
10
""
""
""
""
""
3
108
3
""
4
107
2
""
""
""
""
5
78
1
7
7
7
4
10
""
""
""
10
""
99
2
10
""
""
""
""
""
6
99
2
7
3
10
""
""
"9
""
BALE.
20 Tons per acre of long twitch grass on these farms.
4
780
""
""
11,, 10
11,,
10
""
1
850
""
2
560
""
""
3
550
4
500
""
""
5
300
""
""
500
""
700
""
""
900
""
GREAT BIRCHAM, NEWTON & TOFTS.
6
7
8
DOCKING.
وو
yearly 8
7
6
7
""
""
6
6
7호
​6
10
6
6
6/1/2
39
""
14
10
""
9
9
""
""
""
""
9
10
""
""
""
8
10
""
""
""
""
5
6
12
""
""
""
55
""
3
S
9
""
239
""
7
9
9
""
""
""
""
7
11
10
""
""
""
12&LOCOD
250
A
9
""
9 "
9
1000
11
9
14
9
""
""
""
""
3
700
7
8
7
9
""
""
""
""
4
5
6
7
8
800
7
7
16
8
""
""
""
""
800
10
9
15
10
""
""
""
""
880
10
7
12
9
""
""
""
""
""
750
7
6
12
9
""
""
""
""
""
300
4
""
""
9
80
2
""
""
10
500
4
∞∞ -
8
4
7
""
""
""
FIELD DALLING.
123 LO CO
""
400
200
Owner 7
9
""
99
3
9
""
"
39
39
23
33
33
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
""
""
""
""
40
200
lease 3
""
150
2
95
""
""
""
2
N NW
9
150
8
""
""
""
33
90
1
9
9
""
""
""
85
1
6
8
7
""
""
>>
""
4
7
9
5
3
2
""
""
""
""
99
""
8
9
9
8
39
9
99
9
""
2
""
55
""
་"
57
""
48
29
112
19
""
11
""
Owner 1
1
lease 1
0
Owner 0
""
""
9
6
8
""
""
9
1
DLOM NANN pol
10
33
""
11
35
""
8
""
""
""
2
19
2
""
99
9
""
1
99
1
0
""
* *
པ
19
8
""
7
""
9
10
0
""
""
11
""
yearly 0
8
0
∞ ∞
8
""
""
9
""
""
21
WENDON.
1
2.
3
1 1000 acres yearly 17 men 3 combs 21 men
1 61 ∞ +
6
5
39
4
5 combs
5/1/2
2
3
200
140
""
""
95
lease 4
yearly 4
3/1/20
""
4
6
""
""
""
4
126
4
4/1/2,,
5
""
19
""
""
""
6
SOUTH CREAK.—The largest farm is about 1,200 acres, with 21
labourers; 4 others, from 700 to 900 acres each, with labour in
proportion; 4 others, from 100 to 600 acres, with rather more
Also a number of
labour in proportion than the larger farms.
occupiers who work on the land themselves—some of the land is
farmed tolerably well, but much might be farmed to better advan-
tage if more labour was employed, for you often see fields with
a great deal of rubbish while the crops are growing, which must
be a great disadvantage.
BARTON.—The large farm system is to a great extent the cause
of the present difficulty, farmers employ less labour every year,
and instead of the land growing corn, as 10 years ago, it grows
weeds, and gets worse every year.
LETHERINGSETT.-The land is labour-starved, for twitch, docks,
thistles, poppies and crabgrass are the order of the day. I worked
on one farm where one horse was not strong enough to cut the
rubbish away, and the horses were afraid to walk out of the ridges,
the thistles were like young fir trees. The largest farmer in this
place has 200 acres more than he formerly had, and employs 4
men less. Most of the land is only ploughed once after the
crops. Where I work, there used to be 9 cows kept, now not
one, nor a pig, and the fences are all untrimmed.
last twelve years 45 persons have left this village.
I
Within the
ST. MARGARET'S.-Twenty-one small farms, together 1856 acres,
only 18 labourers employed on the whole.
ST. LAWRENCE.-Fourteen small farms, 1268 acres, only 9 men
employed. The average yield of corn 10 years ago was 8 to 10
combs (a comb is 4 bushels), this year from 3 to 5 combs. There
might be 3 times as much grown if the land was fairly cultivated.
WEST BILNEY.-The farm where I work had 30 combs of barley
off 20 acres; the cause is twitch, and other weeds, and bad
drainage-it would produce from 5 to 8 combs per acre. One
farm, 130 acres, no constant labourer kept; another, 300 acres,
one labourer employed; another, upwards of 400 acres, no
regular labourer except in the winter; another, 250 acres, no
labourer except in the winter-fences and drains neglected. The
yield on these farms is 3 combs per acre. I have seen grass
stand till after harvest, and then turn cattle on it, because they
would not pay a fair price for cutting. Two years ago harvest
22
came on so fast that 5 or 6 acres of grass never were cut, and
some that was cut was never waggoned. I have seen large fields
of turnips not 2 loads per acre. Norfolk is but like a meadow.
Another large field, neither cleaned or sown, except one corner
about 5 or 6 acres, sown with mangolds, which produced 20 tons
per acre-no wonder there is depression in agriculture.
BANHAM.—Thirty-two small farms, 3313 acres, 53 labourers
employed. Ten years ago the produce was 3 combs per acre more,
and double the number of labourers were kept. The produce
might be a great deal more if farmed in a proper manner.
WALSINGHAM.-The causes of the present depression as the
result of my experience are—
1. The land is labour-starved, not so many labourers employed as
are required to cultivate to profit.
2. The land is cattle starved-sheep feeding the turnip crops off is
more profit to the farmer, for it manures the land for the next
crop of corn. Now you may travel 100 miles and not see
100 head of cattle. With a good crop of turnips, and fed off as they
ought to be, the manure from the sheep will last two other crops
with care, for the land wants well treading with sheep.
3. The land is not cultivated as it used to be, the plough is spared
too much; it wants well ploughing, harrowing, rolling and
scarrifying, to get it into good working order for the seed, but
these are greatly neglected.
4. The farms are too large.
Some landlords have made large farms
of from 1,000 to 2,000 acres, and more; and in taking these
large farms, the farmer often only has capital to farm half the
number of acres, and, as a consequence, the land is both labour
starved and cattle starved.
5. The rents are too high. The farmer having done his best to im-
prove the land, the landlord, or his agent, have not shut their eyes
to the improvement, and have raised the rent, which he had to
submit to or leave-if he left another has taken it who has ruined
the land.
6. There is more game kept than formerly by the landlords, and the
vermin are eating the profits.
Bad seasons are not the only cause, neither is it the wage paid to
the labourer, for labour does not cost so much as formerly because
there is not so much employed.
Similar evidence from GELDESTONE, LODDINGTON, CRESS-
INGHAM, DISS, NORTON SUB COURSE. The land is labour
starved, and the farms are too large.
CRIMPLESHAM.-Where the land is farmed, and enough labour
is employed, the crops have been good even this wet season.
23
ANTINGHAM.-On the farms about here, there is not a good
fence. You might drive a waggon and horses over them,
and where they are not so bad, they are 3 or 4 yards wide,
and there are no premises fit to put anything in-—all going to ruin
through adding farm to farm.
OXFORD.
APPLETON.
1
2
3
4
1 farm
285 acres yearly 2
39
2 C H LO CON
14/1/
2
4
""
""
3
4
5
6
7
""
70
""
22
10
26
lease 0
parsonage 0
poor's land 0
owner 0
5
78
lease 1
""
8
41
""
9
130
yearly 1
owner 2
""
""
10
70
""
""
yearly 1
11
90
owner 1
""
""
12
150
lease 2
""
""
13
500
6
""
""
""
14
400
15
400
40 GT
5 7
2
OHHHH LO LO HLO – CD 3D ∞D M TI
3 sacks
7
9 sacks
2
6
""
""
43133
2
6
1
0
3
""
0
10
""
""
5
0
10
""
4
2
9
""
""
5
2
10
""
""
4
3
9
""
3
1
10
""
2
11
""
3
4
7
8
10
7
10
པ
39
1
6
5
"">
""
""
OXENDON.
1
500
""
yearly
1 1b. 2
3 lb. 7
""
2
450
31 4
""
3
450
51
8
33
94 16
6
""
""
""
BENSON.
1
525
2
""
2
1000
11 5
CT Co
3
>>
""
""
::
3
750
7
30
22
25
5 grs.
5/1/
""
""
ASCOTT.
1
400
lease 4
""
3 qrs.
4
4
ະ
"}
2
250
""
yearly
1
2
2
3
3
240
2
3
3
4
""
""
19
""
4
240
1
2
2
4
""
""
5
150
0
2
2
4
""
6
140
Owner 1
3
2
3
""
7
130
2
4
""
yearly 0 3
""
There are farms in this neighbourhood of from 150 to 200
acres, where only two men are constantly employed, and, as
a consequence, the land is in a filthy state. No wonder that
last summer 2s. 6d. a day was paid to men to mow thistles-
not a very profitable crop. Those who employ least labour feel the
depression the most, whilst those who employ the most obtain the
24
largest yield. More men were employed 10 years ago, and then the
yield was much larger. In many cases, two or three farms are
thrown into one, and where this is so, a smaller number of men are
employed. If there was as much labour done as formerly there
would not be enough men to do it, owing to the wretched state in
which the land is. It is sad to see so many labourers almost in a
state of destitution, whilst thousands of acres of good land mourns
for the want of the labour of the unemployed, who are driven from
the country by the unjust land laws.
BANBURY.-The land is labour-starved, causing it to bring
forth weeds instead of food for the people. When the la-
bourer has allotments at a much higher rent than the farmers
pay, they do not find them a source of loss, or expect a remit-
tance of any part of their rents. The farmer needs greater
security for his capital invested, and more liberty as to the mode
of farming; but should be compelled to cultivate the land pro-
perly. The land is capable of producing twice the quantity now
produced. The Game Laws are a serious loss to the farmer,
and should be abolished.
BENSON-Not more than three-fourths of the land here is planted,
and there is more weeds than corn on what is planted; not half
enough labour employed.
SUFFOLK,
STANTON.
1
2
3
4
1 farm
350 acres yearly 0
8 bags
1
...
9 bags
QM TH LO
2
255
1
8
3
10
""
""
""
3
4
5
168
Owner
0
5
2
10
...
""
""
""
152
lease
1
7
2
12
""
وو
""
178
owner
1
6
3
10
""
",
""
6
80
""
yearly
0
7
1
13
""
""
ALDERTON.
1
840
lease 18
6 combs.
23
10 combs
""
2
300
9
7
10
11
"g
وز
""
97
""
3
300
10
9
12
12
""
""
""
""
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4
291
7
7
10
10
""
""
""
""
500
11
7
14
9
""
""
""
""
""
6
250
10
8
10
11
""
""
7
300
12
12
12
12
""
""
""
""
8
180
7
8
7
11
""
""
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9
500
9
6
11
10
""
""
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BAWDSEY.
12
1300
210
20
6
24
8
""
""
7
8
8
10
""
""
25
GREAT CORNARD-In this place one farmer occupies seven
farms, one of 400 acres, and during the winter he only had three
or four men ; the land is of excellent quality, and a few years
ago it grew 10 to 12 combs. per acre; now it does not produce
much more than half that quantity, entirely for the want of
proper cultivation. On these same farms at that time nearly
twenty men were employed.
Corroborative evidence from Bury St. Edmunds and Butley.
SUSSEX.
BURGESS HILL. "On one of our farms, of 260 acres,
8 years ago 5 labourers were employed, average crops then
over 5 qrs. an acre, now only 1 employed, and the produce 2
qrs. an acre."
WEST
GRINSTEAD.—"1,110 acres, mostly arable, 6 men
employed, crops very bad, land in filthy state."
WARWICKSHIRE.
RADFORD.
1
2
3
4
1 farm 750 acres yearly 15
10 bags
25
25 bags
23+
600
6
11
12
20
""
""
""
""
450
6
9
10
12
4
5
6
""
""
140
TACHBROOK.
""
""
""
304
owner 1
5
3
14
""
80
lease
1
10
""
33
""
yearly 1
12
4 18
3 15
""
10 10 to 12,,
12345 CO
360
250
""
180
""
180
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""
130
yearly 6 3 to 6,,
""
3
142
""
""
""
6
7
8
9
230
""
310
""
""
180
""
""
unoccupied
""
yearly 1
""
200
";
""
""
10
240
""
""
""
11
200
""
""
""
12
360
13
200
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""
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63 bags
3
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""
SNITTERFIELD.
1
""
200
""
400
lease
owner 2
2
3 bags
3
7
""
""
200
""
""
yearly 1
5
4 10
""
4
""
400
4
5
""
26
STRETTON-ON-FOSSE-A
farm of 500
500 acres eight men
employed, including carters and stockmen, average produce 12
bushels per acre; nine years ago a farmer held 315 acres of this
farm, and employed nine men and three boys-average produce,
48 bushels per acre.
CHARRINGTON-A farm of 400 acres in 1870, eight men and
two boys were employed-average produce, 42 bushels per acre.
In 1872 the number of men were reduced to three and one boy,
average crop in 1876 was 12 bushels per acre. In 1877 this
farm was occupied by a new tenant, who employs twelve men
and three boys, and he estimates his yield of corn this year, not-
withstanding the bad season, at 30 bushels per acre.
COMPTON SCORPION—A farm of 250 acres, 60 arable, employs
six men and one boy-average yield, 30 bushels per acre.
RADFORD In this village when I was a boy nine far-
mers occupied the land, now there are only six; then there
were 55 men employed, now only half that number. 2. There
are not so many horses by 40 kept to plough the land. 3. No
hoeing done to clear the land, and no water courses opened to
let the water off the land. 4. Too little manure used on the
land.
WILMCOTE-No. 1 farm, 100 acres, held yearly-1 man on the
farm; yield 10 years ago, 10 bags, now only 6: farm in bad
condition. No. 2, 100 acres, held yearly-—2 men, and some-
times 3, in good condition; yield 10 years ago, 11 or 12 bags,
about the same now. No. 3, 350 acres, 2 men more in Spring
to clean the land-yields 10 years ago, 9 bags, now 10 or 11.
No. 4, 250 acres, 1 man-yield 10 years ago, 10 bags, now only
8. No. 5, 350 acres. In landlord's hands, 2 men employed,
land covered with rubbish-yield 10 years ago, 10 bags, now 5.
No. 6, 350 acres, same as last, good land for corn if farmed well.
No. 7, 240 acres; in very bad state, no man employed, owner
same as above. No. 8, 300 acres, 2 men employed-yield 10
years ago, 10 bags, now 8.
Many farms round here in same condition, covered with weeds, no
men regularly employed to keep them clean; more men em-
ployed ten years ago. They should be let on lease, for 14 or
21 years, with a good Tenant Right Bill, to give landlord or
tenant compensation. The Game Laws should be abolished,
and farmers allowed to kill the game.
PRIORS HARDWICK---This parish contains 1400 acres, and
there is only one farmer that employs any constant men, besides
carters and shepherds, and one or two do not even employ these,
the average yield of corn to the acre this year is 5 bags, 10 years
27
ago it was 12. All the land is let yearly, and is in a fearful
condition, being regularly labour starved.
adjoining this parish has had neither man nor
it for the last fifteen months.
One large farm
horse at work on
SNITTERFIELD The farmers have for
for some time done
their land badly, and a few years ago when labour ad-
vanced in price, they each discharged a number of men,
instead of putting more on, so making bad worse, and instead of
keeping their ditches and water courses open, let them get
blocked up, and don't open the trenches as the old farmers did,
and the last wet summers have starved the land and made it much
worse than it would have been, if they had farmed the land more
with the men and kept it landed up in small lands, and the fur-
rows well open, they would have had much better crops, though
the seasons have been wet.
Similar from Willey.
WINTERBOURN STOKE.
WILTS.
1
2
3
4
1 farm
1600 acres
29
6 qrs. 40
9 qrs.
2
709
7
6
14
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500
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2000
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yield
22
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123
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ODSTOCK.
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1
1200
1
2
3
4
11
6 sacks
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850
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1180
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4
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3000
33
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yearly
owner
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150
180
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yearly 1
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6
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110
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120
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290
3
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29
DONHEAD, ST. MARY
123
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CONNT
1
2
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4 sacks
2
41
3
4
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8
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STRETTON, ST. MARGARETS.
123 THO
583
lease
6
4
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9
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9
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1
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290
""
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yearly
O con. 4
4
9
""
BERWICK ST. JOHN,
1
2
If I CONT
3 men employed
2
201
162
71
0
""
""
""
2000
""
300
6
6
""
""
The farm of 290 acres has had 30 to 40 acres of it with nothing on
it but weeds for the last three years, and it is some of the best
land in the village if properly cultivated. There are several
more farms of from 50 to 60 acres, on none of which is a regular
day labourer employed.
CRICKLADE-One farm 500 acres with 2 men, and the yield
only half what it was 10 years ago. No. 2, 400 acres, 2 men,
grew 13 sacks to the acre 10 years ago, now only six. No. 3,
400 acres, 1 man, 12 sacks to acre 10 years ago, now only 5.
No. 4, 800 acres, not a man kept constantly.
Similar evidence from Salisbury and Dinton.
YORKSHIRE.
The special correspondent of the Leeds Mercury supplies the
following information respecting Yorkshire :-
In some cases the rabbits have always been kept down, and
farmers have no complaint on that score. In others, these pests
have either been recently destroyed or effectual steps have been
taken to exterminate them, and in future they have to be kept down
by the keepers. This is a great boon to the tenants, and if the
keepers could only be sent adrift with the rabbits, the farmers
would rejoice. As in the north, east, and west of the county, so
in the south the farmers say that some owners allow their keepers
30
far too much power. The steward finds himself overridden by the
head gamekeeper. He is powerless to get improvements made for
the tenants, and on one estate in particular, the tenants know that
if they don't cultivate the friendship of the head gamekeeper they
cannot get anything done on their farms. This man's word goes
further with the owner of that estate than the opinion of the well-
educated and intelligent steward who is supposed to manage the
property, and the result is not always satisfactory either to the
steward or to the farmer, and not unfrequently militates against the
owner's interests. This unwise proceeding on the part of an owner
deprives the steward of the power that he ought to possess--if he
is fit for his situation-and sometimes places him in an awkward
and unsatisfactory position, most annoying to a conscientious man,
who ought to stand, as it were, as arbitrator between the tenants
and his employer.
The land generally is not so well cultivated as it was some years
ago.
That is owing to the poverty and not to the extravagance of
the farmers, who have been too poor to buy enough of tillage or
to employ sufficient labour on their farms. This is the state of
things in one part of the district, which will apply in a great measure,
and with a few trivial variations, to a wide area within sight of the
moorlands, but a few miles distant.
Cases are not rare where a landlord cannot afford to live on his
property, but is able to let his hall and the shooting over his estate
because there is plenty of game. To kill off the game would mean
to have his hall unlet; and thus, between the farmer on his land
protesting against the game, and the tenant of his hall, who desires
it, he is placed on the horns of a dilemma
The noble Lord's estates, which are nealy all really good land,
abound with game, and in a battue, not long ago, 4,000 head were
slaughtered not far from Selby. The accounts one hears of the
number of ground and winged game about Hambleton, Brayton Barf,
and in other places is well-nigh incredible. His Lordship has the
character of being a good-natured nobleman, his land is let at a fair
rental, and, his tenants rarely, if ever, have to liquidate. There is no
doubt that they have lost largely by the game, and in ordinary
seasons, under such a liberal landlord they grin and bear the trouble.
This year and several which have preceded it, have pressed so
hardly on these striving men-with whom it is a pleasure to con-
verse-that they have naturally begun to think that the ravages of
the game are a grievous burden that ought not to be put upon them,
especially when the game is so abundant that nothing less than a
battue or wholesale slaughter can effectually thin it.
There seems to be little doubt that the landlords have been
thoroughly alarmed by the deplorable condition of many of their ten-
antry, and are showing a great disposition to extend a helping hand
and to make concessions to the farmers who are really hard up.
One hears similar accounts to those heard elsewhere of the reckless
31
extravagance of some of the farmers, who have not husbanded their
resources. but spent their spare cash in the time of prosperity, in
luxurious living, and who are now in such a mess that not a few have
been sold up, to the great trouble of themselves and families and
their dependents, the latter having been severe sufferers. The
general opinion, freely expressed, is that the law ought to provide
some safeguard for the wages of the farm labourers and servants of a
bankrupt farmer, and that the landlord should not come in and take
all he can get, very often leaving nothing for any one else.
I will give you an example of what game can do to a farmer.
Five years ago, before the rabbits on this estate were destroyed, we
had a three-acre field of wheat which only yielded nine bushels an
acre, and the season a good one. Last year when the rabbits were
gone and the weather bad, that identical three acres yielded 40
bushels an acre. The difference was solely caused by the destructive
habits of the rabbits; and had the last season been good the dis-
parity would have been greater. This farmer was threshing his
grain, and his wheat was the plumpest sample seen this year.
Another bugbear to the British farmer is the gamekeepers, and
the fellows who follow in the trail of the keepers, who go across his
farm whenever or however they choose, and are as great a pest to
him as other "varmint" that prey upon his crops. If the farmers
had their way the employment of gamekeepers would cease, and in
that case the sportsman would not find any lack of game, but he
would have to look for it, as the occupier of the land-or, at least,
many of them-are as fond of sport as their landlords, though not
in the form of the butchery of a battue.
The stewards and the gamekeepers are nearly always at logger-
heads, as the stewards find that the gamekeepers cause them more
trouble with the tenants than anything else. Many of the head
gamekeepers are respectable men, who have been attached to estates
all their lifetime, and have had their own way so long that they really
seem to think that the nobleman or squire they serve ought not to
meddle with them; and as for the steward who wishes to do well
for his employer as well as for the tenants, they openly set him at
defiance; or at least do not carry out the orders they receive to thin
the game.
Here is a case in point. The farmers on an estate not
many miles from the town from which this letter is dated waited on
the steward, set forth the great destruction of their crops caused by
rabbits, and asked that the "varmint" should be destroyed. They
significantly added that unless this were done some of the farms would
become vacant, and really they had determined, if this concession.
were not granted, to send in their notices in a body. The steward,
who knew the value of such a fine body of men, and the difficulty
there would be in replacing them with another lot of tenants, took
in the situation at a glance, and really was glad that the farmers
had adopted a firm and decisive step to destroy such an odious
system, which was injuring them, giving him endless trouble and
32
annoyance, and keeping about the estate a set of lazy fellows as
under keepers, &c., who were a positive nuisance. The matter
was represented to the owner, who gladly acceded to the wishes of
his tenantry, and orders were given that the hordes of rabbits should
be destroyed. The keepers killed a few, but the process of
annihilating the "varmint" progressed so slowly that the farmers
again grumbled. The steward complained to the keepers but
without avail. He was consequently compelled to appeal to his
employer to give him power to have the rabbits destroyed. This
power was readily and generously given, as the owner felt proud of
his tenants, and the steward soon took effectual steps to rid the
estate of the rabbits. The "varmint" are now destroyed, the tenants
rejoice over the victory, the steward feels that in obliging the tenants
in this respect he has also benefited his employer's estate and had
saved the loss and trouble attendant on the re-letting of farms to
men of whose practical ability he probably would know little.
You find here, as in other places, that the Royal Commission is
laughed at as a useless waste of public money, which might be
more advantageously employed in other directions.

Curtis and Beamish, Printers, Leamington and Coventry.
TIME RECORD
Further searching (names,bib-
liographical information)
Authors' union, beauti lepo
Author National agricultural
Cabere

Title
prese
Evidence
Date (g
of book perf
1880
a k d
Ал саме тел
LC
Assistant I
Names
Bibl.inf.
J
No.
Time
Time
DMH
عالم
6 min
१
}
}
Arch, Joseph, 1826-1919
... Joseph Arch. The story of his life, told by himself;
and ed. with a preface by the Countess of Warwick. 2d
ed. London, Hutchinson & co., 1898.
xx, 412 p. front. (port.) 23 cm.
1. National agricultural laborers' union. 2. Agricultural laborer-Eng-
land.
1. Warwick, Frances Evelyn (Maynard) Greville, countess of,
1861- ed.

Library of Congress
DA565.A6A2
5-12669+
8.35 6:41
Essin

Nations agricultural
lasorers' unein
мене
Arch, Joseph, 1836

B19
d W he was whe
E. B.
fourdes Nath
agri unitas


Descripti?

Preface signed" : Jouger

Quall

#. Arch Joseph, 1626-1919
97606
at other ed
Adams, Henry Carter, 1851-
science of finance... 1899
The
(Card 2)
HJ
Another copy
141
.A213s
ECONOMICS
LIBRARY
1899
HJ
c1898
L
A612111
Les
-6(5-6, [1924])
Pattire
OFFICIA