PiiiliPiiipHliilii'tillHiiiiiiiiiw ,«.i. iiiti; mm m mm immm ^ THE LABOURERS FRIEI^D:"^ A SELECTION FROM THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE LABOURERS' FRIEND SOCIETY, SHOWING THE UTILITY AND NATIONAL ADVANTAGE or ALLOTTING LAND FOR COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. PUBLISHED FOR THE SOCIETY; AND MAY BE HAD AT THEIR OFFICE, 20 EXETER HALL; ALSO, OF MESSRS. RIVINGTON, HATCHARD, RIDGWAY, AND SEEtEY, AND OF ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS. 1835. LONDON: PRINTED BY C. AND W. REYKELL, 16 LITTLE PULTENEY STREET, HAYMARKET. « 4 PATRONS. THEIR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTIES. VICE-PRESIDENTS. C/3 CO I CO Ul o HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BEDFORD. THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF BITE. THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF BRISTOL. THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL 'OF SHREWSBURY. THE RIGHT HON. THE E.4.RL OF MANS- FIELD. THE RIGHT, HON. THB EARL CHlCHfigTER. THE RIGHT HON. EARL EUSTON. EARL JERMYN, M.P. LORD VISCOUNT MORPETH, M.P. LORD VICOUNT SANDON, M.P. THE RIGHT REV. THE BISHOP BATH AND WELLS. RIGHT REV. THE BISHOP GLOUCESTER. RIGHT REV. THE BISHOP ROCHESTER. THE HON. AND RT. REV. THE BISHOP OF LICHFIELD AND COVENTRY. THE RIGHT HON. LORD DACRE. THE RT. HON. LORD SHERBORNE. THE RIGHT HON. LORD KENYON. ,^THE RIGHT HON. LORD GAGE. THE THE OF OF OF OF I THE RIGHT HON. LORD FOLEY. LORD ASHTOWN. j LORD VERNON. THE RT. HON. LORD SKELMERSDALE. THE RIGHT HON. LORD NUGENT. LORD MOUNTSANDFORD. SIR WILLIAM POLE, Bart. SIR LAWRENCE HALSTEAD, K.C.B. SIR EDWARD KERRISON, Bart., M.P., K f* H f ' R SIR THOMAS BARING, Bart. REV. SIR J. C. JERVOISE, Bart. REV. SIR AUGU.STUS HENIKER, Babt. SIR ARTHUR DE CAPELL BROOKE, Bart. THE REV. ARTHUR ONSLOW. THE REV.DR. BOSWORTH, LL.D. F.R.S., &c., &c., Rotterdam. J. I. BRISCOE, Esq., M.P. MONTAGU BURGOYNE, Esq. HENRY BLANCHARD, Esq. W. J.DENISON, Esq., M.P. R.W. HALL DARE, Esq. M.P. CHARLES DIXON, Esq. J. H. H.FOLEY, Esq., M.P. BEILBY THOMPSON, Esq., M.P. THOMAS WYSE, Esq. Honorary Member. BENJAMIN WILLS. Esq., FOUNDER OF THE SOCIETY. Committee of Management. THOS. H. BASTARD, Esq. NADIR BAXTER, Esq. H.C.CHRISTIAN, Esq. CHARLES COOPER, Esq. FRED. EDWARDS, Esq. WM. GRIMSHAW, Esq. THOS. HARTLEY, Esq. THOS. LIVESEY, Esq. CAPT. H. B. MASON, R.N. J.F.MASON, Esq. WM. MORGAN, Esq. CAPT. POLE, R.N. G. G. STIBBS, Esq. MAJOR-GEN. TOLLEY. B. WILLS, Esq. THOS. WRIGHT, Esq. F. J. RIDSDALE, Esq. WM. STUART, Esq. C9 Auditors, THOMAS LIVESEY, Esq. | THOMAS HARTLEY, Esq. | WM. GRIMSHAW, Esq. Treasurer-JOHN labouchere, Esq. Bankers -WILLIAMS, deacon, and co. Secretary-JOHN WOOD, Esq. :i8'i-G2.'i PREFACE. The Labourers' Friend Society has now been established about four years, and the Committee may be allowed to express some degree of satisfaction at the ample evidence they now lay before the public of the success which has already attended their efforts ; but, as the particulars of the origin of the institution may be unknown to many friends who have been interested in its progress, they proceed at once to the circumstances under which it was called into existence. The state of the poor in the year 1796, excited the attention and sympathy of the late Sir Thomas Bernard, William Wilberforce, Esq., the Bishop of Durham, the Honourable Edward James Elliott, and other public philan- thropic characters, by whom a Society was formed " for Bettering the Condition and Increasing the Comforts of the Poor," of which his late Majesty George III, immediately on its object being made known to him, declared himself the Patron. Vi PREFACE. The Reports'of that Society, embracing almost every valuable suggestion that the most enlightened philanthropy could furnish, were published from time to time until the year 1814 ; and several encouraging instances of the utility of allotments of land to the labouring population were transferred from thence into the earlier numbers of the publications of the Labourers' Friend Society. Shortly after the above period, a similar Society was formed in the city, which held its meetings at the King's Head, Poultry,* " for tlie Encouragement of Industry and the Reduction of Poor-rates," by whom, under the signature of B. Wills and Thomas Livesey, Esqrs.,* as Provisional Secretaries, the following questions were issued, addressed to members of the legislature, large landed proprietors and occupiers, magistrates, parish officers, and various bene- volent characters throughout the country: — ■ " 1. If such of the poor as have small families and are out of work, or whose low wages are insufficient to maintain them, were supplied with a small portion of land, nearly rent free, with the means of erecting a cottage, if neces- sary, on the same, would it prove a stimulus to industry, be ♦ It would be improper to omit in this place a grateful acknowledgment to Charles Bleadon, Esq. for having liberally permitted the above Society to hold their meetings at the King's Head, for several years, without any charge upon their funds. PREFACE. Vll accepted and cultivated, and eventually render parochial relief unnecessary ? " 2. For persons with large families (say six children and upwards) in similar circumstances, would it be considered likely, if a cow and a sufficient quantity of land (say one and a half or two acres) at a low rent, were supplied, that such would be enabled to live without parochial assistance ? " 3. What effects might such assistance be expected to produce in a given number of years (say ten or fifteen) on the moral condition and happiness of the poor, especially of the rising race, and the welfare of the community at large ? " 4. If approved (and the money necessary to accomplish it could be raised), your opinion is requested as to the best mode of carrying the same into effect. " 5. Your opinion is requested on the propriety of large and populous places employing land for the occupation of their poor, under suitable superintendence, (which has in some instances been practised,) with a view to enable them to subsist without parochial aid. "6. Any other information on the subject of furnishing employment to our industrious poor, not prejudicial to ex- isting occupations, will be esteemed." ^^ viii PREFACE. The success of this application was most gratifying. Numerous communications were received in answer, and, from a patient and careful analysis of their contents, these important facts were in the most satisfactory manner esta- blished : — That labourers are generally comfortable, and of moral habits, when in the occupation of small portions of land ; — That the rising race, being furnished with a primitive and healthy employment, are trained to habits of industry and good order ; — And that the poor-rates are reduced. To these views more extensive publicity was subse- quently given, in a monthly magazine, called " The La- bourers' Friend and Handicraft Chronicle," of which his late Majesty George IV condescended to command, through the present Bishop of Winchester, ten copies.* * Copy of a Letter from the Rev. Charles B. Sumner. " Sir, I have to tliank you for favouring mc with a copy of your very useful publication, intitled the Labourers' Friend, which I have perused with much interest, and a very favourable idea of the advantages it is likely to produce to the lower clusscs. " You will have the goodness to consider his Majesty as a subscriber for ten copies, and I trust that you will not suffer your exertions, in favour of the good cause you are advocating, to be slackened till you see the influence of your labours rendered evident by their result. " I have the honour to be, Sir, " Your obedient faithful Servant, " Carlton House, Feb. 25, 1822, " Ciiajiles B. Su.mner." ^- To Mr B. Wills, &c. ?ce." PREFACE. iSC To meet the pressing exigencies of the times, and to give further eiFeet to these benevolent intentions, by obtaining for the labourer a small portion of land, at a moderate rent, in addition to the fair price of his labour, the present Society was instituted in the year 1830, and no sooner was its beneficent design communicated to the present King and his Royal Consort, and their patronage of its publica- tions requested, than their Majesties signified their acqui- escence in the most gracious manner, together with their approbation of its principles.* The illustrious example thus set by three suc- cessive MoNARCHS has been followed by a considerable number of the nobility, bishops, gentry, and clergy, who now constitute the most firm and enlightened supporters of the Society. The materials out of which the present volume has been formed consist of a compilatioji from the first thirty- * Their Majesties' wishes were conveyed in tiie subjoined communication from Sir Herbert Taylor : — " Sir, — I have submitted your letter of January 12 to their Majesties, who have honoured me with tlicir commands to communicate to you their acquiescence in your request, that their Majesties would grant their patronage to the publication of the ' The Labourers' Friend Society;' the object and purport of wliich appears to them deserving of approba- tion and encouragement. " I have the honour, &c. " Mr Benjamin Wills, " H. Taylor. " "51, Thrcadnecdlc street." X PREFACE. three monthly numbers of the Society's publication. In making- this selection, the aim of the Committee of Management has been, that the contents, as far as pos- sible, should reflect the nature and principles, and thereby become auxiliary to the views and objects, of the " La- bourers' Friend Society." To secure so desirable an end, the Committee thought it advisable thus to deal with the periodical above named : — first, rigidly to exclude such papers as appeared to be foreign to the Allotment System; — secondly, to condense M'ithin a narrow compass articles of a merely temporary, or wholly speculative character ; — and, thirdly, to preserve, for the most part intire, such information as seemed to exhibit, in a clear and lucid manner, the practical working of the principles of the Society. In following out this plan, some difficulties have presented themselves, inasmuch as it has been found necessary, oc- casionally, to exclude here and there an article of con- siderable merit, because of its irrelevancy. Among this description of extraneous matter may be noticed, the voluminous yet interesting articles relating to the for- mation of Dutch Colonies, and others advocating the letting out of small farms to the agricultural labourers, &c. The admission of such papers, however ably handled, would necessarily have led to erroneous impressions as to the nature and designs of the " Labourers' Friend Society," PREFACE. XI and would tlms have had the effect of raising into oppo- nents very many whom it is lioped will now become friends and supporters of the Institution. A work of this nature admits of little classification, and but little has been attempted. What has been done, lias been occasionally to transpose the accounts of meetings of Auxiliary Societies, in order that their proceedings might be found under one view ; the Rules of a few of these Societies have also been preserved, in the shape of an Appendix; the Committee being of opinion that they may prove acceptable to those new Societies which are continually springing up, and enable them to select from the whole such regulations for their guidance as may consist with the various circumstances under M'hich they happen to be formed. CONTENTS. List of Patrons and Officers Page iii Preface The advantages of the Allotment system Destruction of the commonable roads, effects on the condition of the Labourer . ... The lame man and his quarter of an acre of land A similar case . . . • • Resultof providing the Labourers and Mechanics of Wantage, Berks, with a small bit of land each Potatoe gardening by the Poor . • . Twenty-four Years' experience of the Allotment system, its advan^ tages both to Landlord and Labourer John Benson's opinion of the value of Land to Labourers Lord Braybrooke's Account of the working of the System, in a com munication from his Lordship Rugby Poor's Friend Society .... A Ten Years' Trial of the Plan, under great disadvantages Its effect in reducing Pauperism Letter from the Earl of Winchilsea . . Remedy for Poors'- Rates .... Advantage to Cottager from keeping a Pig Plan for bettering the Labourer's condition . . On the necessity of forming Associations Advantages of Land to Labourers — Manner of Cultivation — Mode of erecting Cottages .... Successful trial at Byfield, Northamptonshire 8 9 10 10 II 15 21 ^ 25 25 29 31 39 40 41 45 46 49 XIV CONTENTS. The Causes of tlie Distress of the Agricultural Population Labourers' Allotments at Epping Allotments and small Farms at Milton, Cambridgeshire Land occupied by manufacturing workmen The Allotment system defended The System in operation at Cranfield Inclosure of Epping Forest recommended Advantage of a Cow to the Labourer Experience of Lord Carnarvon Abject state of the Poor at Lidlington Successful trial at Woburn Wantage Society for providing the Poor with Land Moral effects of the system on the habits of the Poor Singular mode of cultivation Parochial Experiment of the Allotment System Account of a Cottage and Garden near Tadcastcr Useful Hints and Examples The Cottager's Garden .... Adoption of the System at Springfield, Essex Opinions of the Norfolk Magistracy . On Field Gardens for the Labouring Poor, by Captain Scobell, R. N Potatoc ground apportioned to Labourers from Farms Circular from Sir George Crewe, Bart., to his Tenantry . The Labourer content — The Landlord gratified Advantage of Cottagers renting Land . . Adoption of the Allotm,ent system in the neighbourhood of Basing stoke ..... Information communicated by John Denson Landlord's security for Rent from his Allotment Tenantry Hints for improving the condition of the Agricultural Labourers Lord Chichester's Allotments at Falme Successful experiment at Toddington, Bedfordshire . Account of Lord Sherborne's Allotment Tenantry An industrious Labourer and his Allotment Mailing Labourers' Friend Society The Cottage and the Acre of Ground On the means of bettering the condition of Cottagers A new source of employment for labour Sturminster Auxiliary Labourers' Friend Society . . A fact proving the great importance of Land to Manufacturing, as well as to Agricultural Labourers Questions relative to the labouring population Page 50 53 54 55 56 60 61 62 63 63 65 66 67 68 71 75 77 78 79 80 81 86 87 92 94 95 101 103 105 107 108 110 111 112 116 118 124 126 133 134 CONTENTS. Important saving which, if equally adopted, the Allotment system would produce ..... Recommendation to raise the character of the Labourer, by Sir Egerton Brydges '. . . . Formation of the Taunton Auxiliary Society . Address to the Farmers of North Hampshire, in favour of the Allot ment system ..... The advantages of a rood of land On field gardens for Cottagers. By Capt. G. T. Scobell Expences and profits of Mr Henry Upchcr's Allotments, at Upper Sherringham, Norfolk .... East Somerset Auxiliary Labourers' Friend Society Statement relative to the employment of the pauper Labourers at Melksham ..... Examples of the utility of land to Labourers Fordingbridge Labourers' Friend Society Cottage Allotments at Toddington, Bedfordshire Gloucester and Somerset Auxiliary Labourers' Friend Society Field gardens of Bolton King, Esq. Progressive success of Industry Wrington Auxiliary Society Introduction of the system into ten contiguous Parishes Allotments of land in Bishop Stortford and Birchanger, Essex Devizes Auxiliary Society Returns relative to Allotments in several Parishes in Wiltshire The Labourer's own Statement Auxiliary Societies . . • • Refutation of objections advanced against the Allotment system Mistaken opposition .... Cheshunt Association .... Contrary opinions among Farmers The Allotment system advocated Wallingford Auxiliary Labourers' Friend Society . Progress of the Wallingford Allotments Necessity of change of Crops .... Result of the Allotment system (as practised in Hampshire, by his Grace the Duke of Buckingham) Berkshire Auxiliary Society .... The Duke of Bedford's system at Woburn Statement of his Steward .... Productive and unproductive employment. A contrast Ross Field Garden Society . • • • XV Page 13G 137 139 133 153 154 168 174 177 179 182 184 186 187 189 190 192 193 194 195 204 205 206 210 211 211 212 214 216 217 218 223 224 225 227 228 XVI CONTENTS. Banbury Aiixillaiy Society The Allotments at Barnwell .... Labourers' Cottages .... Gillingham Auxiliary Society .... The Society of Friends .... Extension of the system to the manufacturing population First Annual Report of the Taunton Committee Allotment system at Colchester Lord Churchill — The Ladies of Hinton Abbey — P. Pusey, Esq. Parish Farm at Margate .... On the comparative merits of a Labour Rate, and the Allotment system . . . - . Effects of the Allotment system in Gloucestershire Industry rewarded by success — Cottager's own Report Results of the system at Saffron Walden . South Somerset Auxiliary Society . . . Ilminster Auxiliary Society Advantage of Spade Husbandry . . Spade Cultivation compared with that of the Plough Testimonials . , . . • Appendix ..... Png« 230 231 232 234 234 235 237 242 243 2-14 247 249 251 253 2G3 263 271 272 274 280 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, &c. THE ADVANTAGES OF THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM, The plan for improving the condition of the labourer in agricul- ture, by allotting to him small portions of land, which we so strenuously advocate, has met with powerful support from the writer of the article No. 81, in the Quarterly Review; and we ardently wish that it were possible to prevail upon every landed proprietor to give it an attentive perusal : it demonstrates the folly, the inhumanity, and ruinous consequences of the course pursued in Sussex, Surrey, Essex, and other places towards the labourer in agriculture, whose wages being utterly insuffi- cient for the support of his family, the deficiency is supplied by a vexatious tax upon all the inhabitants of the parish. The demoralising tendency of this system is really shocking; and although *' an amended criminal code, a well organised police, and an improved prison discipline, may render the detection of guilt more certain, and the infliction of punishment more speedy; yet all these improvements will go but a very little way towards thinning the despairing, and consequently desperate host, whom want and woe impel with an irresistible force towards the doors of our workhouses, penitentiaries, and gaols." We feel persuaded that every farmer who employs a man with a family, would find it his interest to furnish his labourer with a small quantity of land, at a fair rent, putting him at the same time in the way of keeping it constantly manured. But as nothing makes so powerful an impression as facts and illustra- tions we have devoted the present little volume exclusively to that object, in order to prove to demonstration the eligibility of the plan by which the Society proposes to ameliorate the con- dition of the agricultural labourer ; and we cannot, we conceive, commence our work more appropriately than by citing from the writer just alluded to some interesting passages tending to exhibit in a concise form the principal causes that have led to the peasant's degraded condition. To commence with the inclosures, and the severance of the labourer from the land : — 2 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. " In the year 1762, (says the Quarterly Review,) the com- mons and wastes belonging to the parish of Snettisham, in Norfolk, were divided and inclosed ; at that period, forty-one cottagers were found entitled to common rights, and in lieu of each right, three acres of land were assigned in severalty ; these allotments were gradually taken away from the cottages, and thrown into the adjoining farms. In 1804, only ten cottagers remained in the parish occupying land ; each of these had from two to ten acres; on this they grew turnips, barley, and wheat, and kept cows, and from the period of the inclosure in 1762, down to 1804, no instance occurred in which any of those who thus occupied small allotments of land, had been relieved by the parish, while those who had lost their allotments had be- come regular pensioners. " The parish of Abringdon Pigots, in Cambridgeshire, was inclosed in 1770: before the inclosure, every poor man had a cow. On the inclosure, the owners of common rights had allotments assigned to them, but they were soon severed from the cottages, and thrown into the adjoining farms. Before the inclosure, no poor's rates had been levied ; but ever since the allotments were taken away from the cottages, the poor's rates have been gradually increasing, and they now bear a very large proportion to the rental." We here refer our readers to other cases, in proof of the injurious effects of inclosing waste lands and depriving labourers of their hitherto available resources, as instanced in the case of the Shottesbrook peasantry, as also to a similar case relative to the parish of North-Creak, near Burnham, in Norfolk. " In the parish of Lidlington, in consequence of the same system of depriving cottagers of land, the poor's rates, which in the year 1751, were only sixpence in the pound, became four shillings in the year 1801, and have been since annually in- creasing." The baneful effects of the absorption of small farms into larger ones, are thus described : — " The extent to which not only the occupation, but also the proprietorship of land was carried in ancient times, cannot be conceived by those who confine their attention to the present arrangements of society. In the parish of Clapham, in Sussex, there is a farm, called Holt; it contains one hundred and sixty acres, and is now in the occupation of one tenant. During the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, it seems to have been a hamlet in which there were at least twenty-two proprietors of land ; the documents relating to them are in a state of perfect preservation, and bear various dates between the years 1200 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 3 and 1400. In 1400, the number of proprietors began to de- crease ; by the year 1520, they had been reduced to six; in the reign of James the 1st, the six were reduced to two ; and soon after the restoration of Charles the 2nd, the whole became the property of one owner, who let it as one farm to one occupier. The popu^lation resident on this farm, and subsisting upon its produce between 1300 and 1400, could not have been much less than one hundred persons; the number of persons imme- diately connected with the tillage of this farm, at the present time, does not probably amount to forty ; and supposing ten of them to belong to the farmer's family — there are thirty persons deriving no part of their subsistence from the land — except as wages of daily labour. Taking the history of property in this parish as an illustration of those changes which took place con- temporaneously in other districts, we are led to the conclusion, that the system of consolidating landed property, began to come into operation about the close of the fourteenth century, and that it has proceeded gradually and steadily on its course, until it has at length reached a point, which is not to be considered without the most serious reflections. It is also matter of history, that complaints against vagrancy and idleness, and the difficulty of providing for the poor, began for the first time to be heard in this country about the commencement of the fifteenth century, and that these burdens and complaints have, from that period down to the present time, regularly kept pace with the progress of the system of consolidating farms, and abstracting his crofts, curtillages, and common rights, from the English cottager." We now proceed to another order of facts, and of a more cheering description, as they point to a remedy for the evils deplored, and may serve as an antidote to those cold-hearted reflections so frequently made upon benevolent attempts to better the condition of the poor. " The cottagers in Lincolnshire and Rutlandshire, generally, hold their little tenements, not of the farmer, but directly from the owner. This rescues them from all slavish and injurious dependance upon the farmer. The management of this little demesne, never, we believe, for one hour, interferes with the necessary occupations of the labourer; it is managed prin- cipally by his wife and younger children. The labourer himself, no doubt, bestows upon his little tenement some extra labour after his daily task is over, or occasionally the labour of a few whole days, whenever he can be spared with the least incon- venience from the work of his regular employer. The effect is, all that the most benevolent heart could desire, — a more com- fortable, contented, and moral peasantry does not, we believe, exist on the face of the globe. The farmers are enabled to command the constant services of an industrious, regular, and 4 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. faithful body of labourers; and in the more busy seasons of spring and harvest, the families of the cottagers furnish an occasional supply of extra assistants always at hand. Long experience has convinced the inhabitants of Burley-on-the- Hill, Hambleton, Egleton, and Greetham, that the only means of keeping a labourer with a large family off the parish-books, is to let him land enough to keep a cow or two. This expedient has been repeatedly tried, and uniformly found successful. In 1798, a labouring man having a wife and several young children, appeared likely to become burdensome to one of these parishes; it was universally agreed that the only probable means of warding otfthe burden about to fall on the parish, was to furnish the cottager with a cow. The landlord supplied him with land at a fair rent, and added a few out-buildings to his cottage : a sum of money was advanced to purchase a cow, and he was thus enabled to pay his rent, and support himself and his family, without receiving a farthing from the parish. Some time after, a similar instance occurred in the same district. The influence of the system on the rates of the above parishes, appears very clearly from this fact, that the average of poor's- rates on the four parishes did not exceed ninepence in the pound ; while the average of four parishes in Sussex, taken at random, viz. Burwash, Mayfield, Shipley, and West Grimstead, averaged at the same time ten shillings and threepence in the pound — but here the labourers are permitted to occupy no land — the wife and children of the working peasant have no employ- ment, and the allowance system appears to advance with rapid strides towards its consummation." So depressing is this allowance and workhouse system to the human energies, that when actually employed, the labourer scarcely performs half what he is capable of executing; he studies not how to render his services as productive as possible to his employer, but how to get through a given number of hours with the smallest amount of labour. An author of some eminence, writing on this subject, remarks — That there is no better way to encourage the poor, than by inducing them to collect all their waste time in cultivating a small piece of land, and to make use of all their dirt and rubbish to manure it; to do which effectually, it must be contiguous to the cottage. The object should be, to employ the wife and children at times when they would be otherwise idle. A cottager who works for daily wages, has now and then an hour or two to spare in the long days, and by weather partly wet and partly fine, at all seasons : these, if he had an allotment of land, he might be induced to employ ; it is, in short, that kind of work which Dr Franklin advises all persons to keep by them, because it may be taken up, and laid down at any time. When this is not the case, these COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 5 scraps of time are spent in lounging about, or else in the ale- house. " Thurlby, a small village and parish, to the east of the half- way houses on the road from Newark to Lincoln, is the pro- perty of Sir Edward Ffrench Bromhead, Bart, who resides at the Hall, amidst the blessings of his tenantry and neighbours. — When Sir Edward came into possession of the estate, he found it divided into large farms, and let but to two or three tenants, consequently his parish had very few inhabitants. — He divided each of these farms and increased his population. What few labourers were in the village had only the meanest and most uncomfortable hovels to reside in ; their state was that of complete degradation ; and more than half their support was derived from the poor's rate ; they now begin to think that they are men, and to enjoy, rather than endure, existence." In the communications to the Board of Agriculture, Vol. IV. p. 367, there is an interesting account of Thomas Rook, a cot- tager under the late Sir Henry Vavasour ; he had three acres of land, which were cultivated, and produced as follows : Quantity' of Land. Produce. 240 Bushels of potatoes. 60 Ditto of carrots. 5 Quarters of oats. 4 Loads of clover, part in hay, part cut green. Turnips. Garden stuff. His stock was two cows and two pigs, one of his cows had a summer gait for twenty weeks with his landlord; the land was partly ploughed and partly dug with a spade ; cultivated (the ploughing excepted) by the man, his wife, and a girl about twelve years of age, in their spare hours from their daily hired work, seldom a whole day otF, except in harvest ; made the rent in butter, besides a little used in the family. He clears about 30/. a year ; the daily wages his family earn about keep them — the family live well, and a handsome sum has been yearly saved to place out two sons, and supply them with clothes and other necessaries. "The striking success of this experiment excited others to imitate the example of Sir Henry Vavasour: about the year 1802, Charles Howard, Esq. of Melborn farm, attached a small garth to the cottage of a labourer, named Richard Thomson ; including the site of the cottage and fences, the whole allot- A. R. p. 2 1 3 20 1 20 40 3 6 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. ment did not exceed one acre and a quarter ; and the land, being the most barren part of a purchase which Mr Howard had made about four years before, at the rate of 10^. per acre, was not worth five shillings per acre rent : on taking possession of his allotment, Thomson commenced the same system of husbandry which had been so successfully pursued by his neighbour Rook. — Mr Howard states that in 1809 he measured and valued the produce, and found that it amounted to 10/. 17s. The cultivation, though principally performed by the spade, occupied little more than the man's leisure hours ; it afforded a constant and agreeable source of interest to the cottager and his family, the younger branches of which were thus trained to early habits of industry. Before he entered upon the occupa- tion of this allotment, this cottager had the greatest difficulty in maintaining his wife and three children ; he had no land, and was therefore compelled to purchase every article of con- sumption : in 1809, his family had increased to seven, yet though from frequent ill health he had not been able to earn the high wages obtained by many of his fellow labourers, he supported his family without any parochial relief, by the aid of his cow and pigs, and the produce of his garden." From Newark-on-Trent, so late as the year 1828, in conse- quence of this system being acted upon, we find, in answer to a return, with reference to the state of the poor, and the amount of money annually paid towards their support, that Sir Robt. Sheffield's bailiff" returned, " We have no poor here," which created great surprise, until the explanation was given, viz. that Sir Robert has a large property, including two or three villages and hamlets, and that all his farmers' labourers, in addition to their cottage, have each a little croft or garden for potatoes, with a run in one of the pastures for his cow, and a por^ tion of meadow for hay ; they all live comfortably, and pay their rents regularly, without thinking of poor's rates. This plan has been practised by Sir Robert for several years, and has been followed in many parts of Lincolnshire, where it has been productive of the happiest results. The Cottage System has been established at Long Newnton, Wilts., for the last five years, so that a full trial of its merits has been made : it appears that every cottager was allowed to take land, as much as the family could cultivate well ; and that one-fourth part was to be manured annually and planted with potatoes, and that no two white crops of corn should be grown successively ; an agreement for a term of fourteen years was to be granted, if required ; all the families, except two widows and four very old persons, at once accepted the offer ; even the two poor widows, rather than go into the workhouse, soon after re- quested the land, and since their first crop came into use have COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 7 received no relief; one having six, the other eight young children. Since the adoption of this plan in Long Newnton, the poor's rate has dwindled almost to nothing ; during the six months after the plan came into effect, 41. 12s. 6d. only was applied to the poor. It was admitted by the farmers there, that they never had their work done better by their labourers, nor their servants more able, willing, civil, and sober ; that their property was never so free from pilfering and plunder as at present; but more than all, that no warrant or summons for stealing, poach- ing, &c. has been issued against any poor person in the parish, since the adoption of the plan. Another communication from Wiltshire states that N. Ather- ton, Esq. of Calne, having come into some property at King- stone St Michael's, Wilts., about four years ago, immediately let out to the poor 40 acres of land, in allotments of from three to four acres, at the farmer's rental ; the consequence has been that the land so let out, is exceedingly well cultivated, and con- sidered to produce 50 per cent, more than any other land in the neighbourhood ; the labourers are raised from the disgraceful state of pauperism to an honest independence, and the poor's rates are reduced to a comparative trifle. A letter from Thorne, in Yorkshire, inserted in the Philan- thropic Magazine, has the following further proof of the certain advantages of this system. " A neighbour's wife of the labour- ing class called upon me, and said that her husband was very ill, and was desirous of seeing me about settling his affairs ; I went, and was glad to find that he had obtained relief, and was something better. I have since called to see him, and in the course of conversation I remarked, that they had brought up a large family ; he said that they had had fourteen children, and that nine now survived, and were capable of maintaining them- selves ; I asked how they had managed, — he said, ^ It is my bit of land that has done it ; it is under the reek of the chimney ; we were always at it, doing somelliing, we mucked it luell ; we always had good crops ; we kept a cow, we grew potatoes and corn, and there was never no want.' It was originally 3i acres gravelly soil — an old cottage — his father entered to it near 60 years ago, the rent at that time was 50 shillings a year; he succeeded his father about 40 years ago, at a rent of about lOL; there was an addition to the landlord on the inclosure of the com- mon about 17 years ago; within the last six years he purchased the fee simple at 3001. ; he has rebuilt the cottage — brought lip his family — and continually repeats, ' It is yny bit of land that has done it.' " The correspondent of whom the above was obtained says farther, " Many instances have come to my knowledge where 8 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. families have been kept from the parish by being possessed of cottages and lots of land." We shall continue from time to time to bring forward facts, to shew that an effectual remedy for all this mass of misery is not only in our power, but at our very doors, and that it would be a deplorable waste of public money to transport the labourer to foreign climes, when by proper arrangements he might be made happy and comfortable at home. It is much to be wished, that enlightened and benevolent agriculturists in any given parish would unite in adopting the plans here recommended, and favour us with an account of the results ; every successful experiment would prove a fresh stimulus to farther exertions, and we are confident that nothing is wanted but a few public- spirited individuals to lead the way. DESTRUCTION OF THE COMMONABLE ROADS —EFFECTS ON THE CONDITION OF THE LABOURER. Mr Herod, of North-Creak, near Burnham, Norfolk, a re- spectable and experienced small farmer, on his own land, writes — " In the year 1798, the poor-rates in this parish were ls.9d. in the pound per year ; at that time a quantity of cows were kept by the cottagers upon broad commonable roads in the summer, and they were assisted with food by the farmers in their straw-yards, &c. in the winter. By this means, those who kept a cow did not think of applying to the parish for relief. About this time, the farmers began to plough up the roads, without act of parliament, or any legal right; of course the (juantity of cows kept lessening every year, as their pasture was decreasing by the plough. I perceived by the parish books, that as the cows decreased, the rates increased. In seven years' time, the rates were increased to 3s. in the pound ; at that time, only a few cows were kept by the poor people. In a few years after, these few were obliged to be sold, and the rates then increased to six shillings in the pound. The rates have stood at this, with very little variation, ever since. We have only two poor men now that have one cow each ; I think one has five, and the other six children. The man with six children hires two acres of poor land, at about 30s. per acre, more than half a mile from his house; and after his day's labour is done for his master, he goes with his wife and little family to weed and till his land. The other poor man is more fortunate ; his small patch of land lies near his cottage (about COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 9 an acre). These two of the largest familes we have in the parish, I beheve, are honest independent parishioners, earning iheir los. per week at labour^ and with their cow, I beheve, are the happiest two famiHes in the parish. I am sorry to see so many poor families, with the same earnings (as to wages) but no cows, come to the parish for relief. If they are unable to work, the magistrates direct that they have 6s. for the man, 5s. for the woman, and 2s. for every child ; this is more than they earn when at work. I have before stated that loi. per week is the average of their wages, and these two families make no application for relief; but those with three or four children and without land to keep a cow, we are obliged to relieve. These are facts, and not mere matter of opinion." Note. — The zeal of our benevolent correspondent for the wel- fare of his industrious fellow-parishioners is also evinced by his exertions on their behalf on the eve of the inclosure bill for the parish, — the event to which he seems deservedly to attribute so much misery and misfortune, — on which occasion, he under- took a journey to London, purposely to present their petition to Earl Spencer on the subject, whom he represents as possessing humane feelings, while he laments that the means of rendering the labourers comfortable are left in the hands of stewards, &c. Mr H. strikingly observes, " Here were lands that the poor would have been happy to hire at a fair rental to keep their cows upon, rather than sell them when the act took place : but not one was favoured with an acre, — they were all laid on to the great farms." THE LAME MAN AND HIS QUARTER OF AN ACRE OF LAND. A GENTLEMAN in Dorsetshire, having an orchard of a quarter of an acre unproductive, grubbed it up. A poor man, residing in a cottage, contiguous, who had unfortunately become lame, from having met, two years before, with a shocking fracture of the leg, and having a family of eight children, four of whom were incapable of earning anything, took it at the rent of lOs. per annum. The same gentleman allowed him to apply to his heap for manure. By the occupation of the land, he has become so much of a horticulturist as to be employed as a labouring gardener, occa- sionally, in different families in the parish. He has now had the land six years. It is fenced in a most beautiful manner 10 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, with quick-set. The rent is always paid most regularly, and the gentleman remarked to the writer, the great anxiety which was expressed by his industrious tenant, lest, in the event of his (the gentleman) leaving the parish, which has since taken place, he should be deprived of the land. — On this head, however, there is no need of apprehension. One other circumstance also, it will be proper to notice, viz. that he having so improved the land, the parish officers wanted to make him pay poor-rates, but were prevented, by the interference of his kind-hearted landlord, from taking so offensive a step. The result has been, that he has supported his wife and children, without assistance from the parish. A SLMILAR CASE. In the year 1815, the Lord of the Manor of Bexley, in the county of Kent, granted a small piece of waste land, lying by the road-side, of about a quarter of an acre, to a man named William Baker. He was married, and had a family of young children. This man immediately inclosed the grant, with an excellent quick-set hedge. He also planted various fruit-trees, long since in full bearing. By ceaseless industry, and the aid of friends, he built himself a comfortable little cottage on the same spot of land. On this property Baker and part of his family have continued to reside up to the present hour ; and, although his wife has been in indifferent health, and obliged to have frequent medical advice during the last seven years, not one shillmg have they received as parochial relief; whilst their cottage, their garden, its fences, in short, every part of the pre- mises, is a pattern of neatness, of good order, and cleanliness, seldom to be met with in any part of the country. This cottage and garden lie about ten minutes' walk from Penenden Heath, on the road to the village of Bearstead. RESULT OF PROVIDING THE LABOURERS AND MECHANICS OF WANTAGE, BERKS, WITH A SMALL BIT OF LAND EACH. Cost to the Labouhers. £. s. d. 32 allotments, of 20 poles at 9s. per year each . . 14 8 Potatoes for planting, 8s. to each allotment. . . . 12 16 £27 4 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 11 Produce. 32 allotments, at 18 sacks of potatoes each, at 4s. a sack (a price less than the labourers must have paid, if they had purchased them retail through the winter and spring) 115 4 Clear benefit . . £ 88 0* POTATOE GARDENING BY THE POOR. The Bishop of Bath and Wells, many years since, let seventy acres of glebe land to a number of labouring men, in small lots, and thereby produced the greatest stimulus to the in- dustry of his humble tenantry. The Bishop is still following up the same useful and approved policy, as may be seen by the subjoined Abstract of a communication from the Rev. Richard Warner, of Castle-Cary, Somersetshire; detailing the mode adopted by the worthy Bishop, to improve the con- dition of the labourer. " The affecting state of destitution and dejection in which the lower classes of our countrymen are at this moment merged, is not only notorious to every observing, and deplored by every humane man, but is, moreover, a subject of serious alarm to those who are in the habit of directing their thoughts to the usual causes of national decadence and ruin ; because they are well aware, that as these classes form the foundation of the pyramid of civil society, by which alone the superior grades are supported, in their regularly ascending series, from the yeoman to the monarch ; so if they be allowed to be reduced to dust, the destruction of the whole fabric will then be no doubtful problem, — the higher and more prosperous orders of tlie com- munity must be brought down to the earth, and the most privileged ones be content to " end where they began." It is gratifying, however, to remark, that as the actual statis- tical condition of our country, with respect to the labouring poor, is thus too obvious to be denied, and too sad to be dis- regarded — so a desire of bettering it seems to have been * The Rev. Secretary of the Wantage Society, in his pamphlet, adds a note. — ' It should be observed, that the land at Wantage is perhaps superior to inost land in England, and therefore equal benefit can scarcely be reckoned on in other places ; but the lowest advantage likely to arise will form a very desirable addition to the poor mans comfort.' 12 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, awakened amongst those who have the means of so doing within their power, and further, that plans have been suggested, and some actually adopted, by the wise and benevolent, for redress- ing the pauperism of this useful and numerous body, for restoring to them the advantages which they once enjoyed, and which they have a right still to enjoy, by all the laws of God and man ; and thus saving them from the utter and irretrievable degradation, which would inevitably induce, sooner or later, the dissolution of the whole social system. Of the plans alluded to, I mean to confine my present letter to the solitary one of Potatoe Gardening by the Poor, — a plan which appears to ensure so many advantages to them, at so trifling an expence to the affluent, as entitles it not only to the most serious attention of the latter, but also to its speedy adoption by all such as are happily enabled to carry it into execution. lis claim to notice is further enhanced by its ex- perienced utility ; it has worked well for years; and is now in prosperous operation. The present Bishop of Bath and Wells (Dr George Henry Law), conceived, and brought it into effect in 1807, at his living in Willingham, in Cambridgeshire. In all his subsequent removals he has carried the idea and the prac- tice of it with him ; and, since 1827, has had the high gratifica- tion of seeing it in beneficial action, upon thirty-eight ACRES of the episcopal land, in the immediate vicinity of his lordship's palace. Through that interval I have watched its operation, and marked its effects ; and may take upon myself to assert, not only that it has every good and useful tendency, but that it has positively relieved the necessities, and amended the moral conditions of those, to whose case it has been applied. But in order to be impressive, we must be particular : I will therefore trouble you with a statement of the plan itself, and with fair calculations of those expences and profits which are borne, and may be gained by any individual, who becomes the tenant of a quarter of an acre under his lordship's letting. It may be well, however, to premise, that the labouring poor themselves, are so much aware of the great advantages which they can derive from potatoe- gardening, as to be anxious to rent a plot of ground for this purpose, on the most exorbitant terms. Within these three years I have known several acres of the glebe of a village, three miles from Wells, to have been let in small portions, at the rate of eiglit pounds per acre ; and at Shepton-Mallet, a few miles from my own residence, land was let last year to the poor, for potatoe-cuUure, at the rate of one shilling and threepence per lug (or perch), that is lOl. per acre; the occupation of the plot to commence when the potatoes are planted, and to cease as soon as they arc dug up and carried off. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 13 Happily for the poor of Wells and its vicinity, his lordship's terms are abundantly more advantageous to the tenant than those to which we have just adverted ; since every individual holds his lug of episcopal land, and tliat too for the wliole year, at the rate of about threepence three-farthings, and has moreover a bounty conferred on him by the Bishop, (or rather a return made to him out of his rent), when he has evinced due industry and neatness in the cultivation of his plot, and his general conduct has been marked by decency and sobriety. PLAN. The 38 acres before mentioned, being fvee from tithe, poor- rates and highway duties, are worth 21. 10s. per acre; and con- sequently if let to a farmer, would return a rent of 951. per annum. This tract of land is divided into quarters of acres, (except- ing some few half-acres) or plots, each containing forty lugs or perches. These lots are let to as many different tenants, thus accom- modating, upon an average, one hundred and forty individual families. Each renter has his lot, not only for the whole year, but for the term of his Lordship's episcopate, provided his good conduct render him deserving of such favour. The rent of each ([uarter of an acre is twelve shillings and six- pence, payable at Christmas; out of wliich the Bishop returns two and sixpence to each renter, if merited by proper behaviour. EXPENCES AND PROFITS OF TENANT FOR A QUARTER OF AN ACRE. £. s. d. Profits. £• S. d. ExPENCES. Rent 12 6 Bounty 2 6 Seed 10 6 Produce, 20 sacks, Digging 10 at 6s. per sack . . 6 ~ "0 Crop of early pota- : toes, dug up in June 10 Planting 5 Manure 7 Hoeing 5 6 Digging out and bringing home . . 15 £3 5 6 Cabbages, green, Sec. when the crop of potatoes is off .. 1 7 12 6 Deduct expences 3 5 6 Profit.. £4 7 14 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. But this will not be the whole amount of the profits ; for we must deduct from the expences, savings which may be made in them by the poor man himself, at his leisure hours ; and by his wife and children, upon special occasions ; such as 5s. for half the digging — 5s. for the planting — 5s. 6d. for the hoeing — 7s. 6d. for half the digging out and bringing home; which being added to the Al. 7s, will render the profits on the quarter 51. 10s. or 221. an acre. It is perfectly clear from this statement that, should the renter of a quarter of an acre be inclined to go to market with his product, he will put yearly into his pocket between five and six pounds. This great result of good to 140 families of the poor is not indeed effected without some little loss to the benevolent Bishop, whose rental upon the thirty-eight acres is thus reduced 19Z. per annum ; but it is obvious that any landlord, less moved by the feelings of kindness, the obligations of duty, and the dictates of sound policy, than his lordship, might, by acting upon the same plan, and on the same scale, and receiving the whole of the rent, be doing a like useful and humane work. But, I must be allowed to observe, that the beneficial consequences of his lordship's plan are not confined to the advantages already noticed ; since it is admirably adapted to produce the most salutary effects on the moral condition of the objects for whose good it has been brought into action. It pro- vides occupation for the poor man during the time that he is accidentally out of work; or for his spare and idle hour, after he has performed his daily labour. It affords to him an object of thought and prudential management. It preserves him from idleness, the bane of all good ; and from the witchery of the public-house, one of the greatest of those curses which at pre- sent afflict our land. It gives him a little useful self-respect, and revives his attachment to the natale solum. He is a renter of land ; he feels himself to be identified with the best interest of his country; and imbibes a spirit of proper, though humble independence, with every breeze that he inhales, on the little spot of his own profitable industry. He is humanized, improved, and elevated ; and strange indeed would be the anomaly, if, under such regenerating circumstances, he did not become a better man, subject and Christian, than he was before. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 15 TWENTY-FOUR YEARS' EXPERIENCE OF THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM— ITS ADVANTAGES BOTH TO LANDLORD AND LABOURER. [By the Rev. S. Demainbray, B.D., &c. &c.] The labourer no longer boarded or lodged in his employer's house, the tie of mutual interest is loosened ; he works for this or that master indifferently, but with little real attachment to his employer. After his day's labour is over, he has to seek his comforts elsewhere ; and if well-disposed, and not spending his evenings at the alehouse, is induced to marry, to have a home to which he can resort : encouraged to do so by the certainty that the parish will provide for his family, and that his pay will increase with their number. In every other station of life there is some spur to exertion, in the hope of bettering one's present condition ; the mechanic can rise to be a master in the trade of which he is only the journey- man ; the manufacturer, by his attention and usefulness, may obtain offices of higher trust and emolument ; but the agricul- tural labourer has no such encouraging incentive : whatever his prudence or industry may have been in his youth, he has no- thing to which, as his strength declines, he can look forward, but a dependence on parochial relief. Even if by inheritance, or by any extraordinary exertion, he acquires a small property, the system of paying from the poor-rates a portion of the labourer's wages, or, what is the same thing, the paying the labourer from these rates in proportion to the number in his family, operates silently, but steadily, in depriving the poor man of his little pro- perty. If he be the owner of the cottage, or of the acre or two of land, he has no legal claim on his parish as long as he retains it ; and therefore, when burdened with a family, must part with it, before he can obtain a fair remuneration for his labour, or that part of it which is avowedly paid from the poor- rate ; and, while his honest pride is struggling against resorting to the parish pay-table, he is often in a worse condition than the actual pauper. If to this we add the effect of inclosing commons and wastes, on which the poor man formerly enjoyed certain privileges and indulgences, we shall be forced to acknowledge, that, during the last half century, the situation of the labouring, and particularly of the agricultural classes, has been much deteriorated, as well by the circumstances of the times, as by the mode of administering those laws originally intended for their benefit. In a short pamphlet, entitled The Case of Labourers in Hus- bandry, published in the year 1795, by the Rev. David Davies, Rector of Barkham, Berks, I find some remarks so appropriate IG COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, to the present subject, that I must beg leave to insert them :— ' Sound policy,' says the author, ' requires, that as many indi- viduals as possible, in a state, should have an interest in the soil, as attaching them to the country and its constitution : but, instead of giving to labouring people a valuable stake in the soil, cottages have been progressively deprived of the little land formerly let with them, and all their rights of commonage have been swallowed up in large farms, by inclosures. Thus an amazing number of people have been reduced from a comforta- ble state of partial independence to the precarious state of mere hirelings, who, when out of work, immediately come to the parish.' If such a remark could be applicable to the labouring classes in 1795, how much more forcibly does it apply to those of the present moment? Since that time many hundred inclosures have taken place; but in how few of them has any reserve been made for the privileges which the poor man and his ancestors had for centuries enjoyed ? The commons and wastes inclosed have been, in general, engrossed by large farms, with hardly a nook or corner reserved for the poor man's cottage. And even if some small portion had been reserved for him, how soon must the mode of admininistering our poor laws, above de- scribed, have stripped it from him ? There is a natural tendency to property being engrossed by the few to the injury of the many, which some governments have thought it necessary to counteract. The Mosaical law prevented altogether the total alienation of property : once in fifty years every thing was again restored to the family of the original proprietor (Lev. xxv. 10.) The legislature of our own country also has from time to time interfered to protect the smaller farmer from the encroach- ments of the larger. Its anxiety on this subject was evidenced by a variety of statutes, especially 31st Elizabeth, an enactment we may recollect, passed about* the time whence we date the origin of our own poor laws, which provides for the protection of the small landholder from the encroachments of his larger neighbour, by preventing any cottage being built in the country without four acres of land attached. In our own days, there have been found those who have successfully advocated the important measure of letting labourers small portions of land ; among whom we reckon the late Earl of Winchilsea, Bishop of Durham, Mr Estcourt (the father of the present member for the University of Oxford), who adopted the plan in the parish of Newnton, Wilts., where for several years, only two aged pen- sioners received parochial relief, all the rest having accepted portions of land at a moderate rent, in lieu of such assistance : COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 17 and that indefatigable friend of labourers. Sir Thomas Bernard, whose zeal and eftorts discovered a power to do justice to a cause he had so much at heart. But though many have tried the experiment, yet as there are many who, with the sincerest desire of benefitting the poor, and the the most ample means of effecting it, stid doubt the general practicability of this measure, the benevolent author has favoured the public with statements of the actual profits derived to the poor man from the occupa- tion of land and spade husbandry, in his own parish in Wilt- shire, where the experiment has been tried for no less a term than twenty -five years. In the year 1806, an inclosure was proposed in the parish of Broad Somerford, and a very liberal offer was made to me as rector, for an allotment of land in lieu of tithes. But, consi- dering it my duty to attend to the interest of my poor parish- ioners, I did not consent, till I obtained for them the following conditions ; namely, that every poor man whose cottage was situated on the commons or waste lands, should have, liis garden, orchard, or little inclosure, taken from the waste within the last twenty years, confirmed to him; and that, in case the same did not amount to the half acre, it should be increased to that quantity, by allotting a portion of land (sufficient to make up the two roods, or half acre) to the rector, churciiwarden, and overseer, for the time being, who should annually let the same to each poor cottager free of rent and taxes, by which clause the allotment was secured from alienation. The same kind provision was made by the lord of the manor for cottages held of him on lives. In addition to which, eight acres were allotted to the rector, churchwarden, &c. adjoining to the vil- lage, for the benefit of its poor inhabitants, to be annually allowed them, according to the number in their respective families ; and thus every man with three or four children was sure of his quarter of an acre, at the least. Very great benefit has been derived from these provisions. It in no way interfered with the poor man's labour for the farmer. At extra hours, and on days and half days, on which the farmer could not employ him, ample time was given for the cultivation of his potatoe garden. But he did not long confine himself to the cultivation of only one kind of agricultural produce; however small his portion of land, he could subdivide it, and have his crops in succession; but wheat and potatoes formed the principal ones : the poor man's mode of cultivation and manuring for the latter, always securing him the following year a good crop of wheat. Indeed, it was the common observation of the neihgbourhood, that the poor man's crop never failed. Spade husbandry, and the constant and minute attention of himself and family, secured him an abundant crop, even when the farmer's was c 18 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. deficient. In this manner, the present generation of labourers in this parish may be said to have been brought up in habits of early industry and agricultural intelligence. As some showed superior skill and industry, or were burthened with larger fami- lies, small additional portions of land were from time to time let to them, as I was able to withdraw it from the hands of the larger farmers, to whom, at the time of the inclosure, it had been let on lease. Seven labourers, each of whom had from 39 poles to 1 acre of stiff heavy land, raised thereon by spade husbandry, in the year 1830, an average produce of 88 sacks, 1 bushel, of pota- toes ; and 6 sacks 2 bushels of wheat per acre : and if we state in detail the poor man in account with himself, it would stand thus : The Poor Man in Account with Himself in raising an Acre of Potatoes in the Down Fiei-d. Dr. To digging an acre at 3d. perlugorperch 2 Ten sacks of potatoes for seed, at 5s. a sack 2 10 Four days at planting 6 Ditto for a woman to help 2 Ditto for a man hoe- ing 6 Ditto for a man earth- ing up 6 To digging up the crop so as the land may be fit for wheat or barley . . 1 16 8 Expence of hauling dung 1 Rent of acre, free of all rates 2 £10 6 8 Nett profit to the poor man 7 6 4 £17 13 Cr. s. d. By 88 sacks and 1 bushel of pota- toes, at the ave- rage price of 4s. per sack 17 13 £17 13 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, 19 T}iE Poor Man in Account with Himself in raising an Acre or Wheat in the Down Field. Dr. £ s. d. To 2| bush, of wheat for seed, at 7s. 6d. per bush 18 9 To hoeing an acre of wheat 5 To weeding ditto . . 5 To reaping ditto . . 7 To thrashing out six sacks and 2 bush. 9 9 HauHng dung .... 1 Rent of acre, free of all rates 2 £5 5 6 Nett profit to the poor man 5 2 6 £10 8 By three quarters and two bushels of wheat, at the price of 3/. 4a'. a quarter 10 Cr. s. d. 8 £10 8 Again, in the year 1819, a tenant giving up a farm of about 98 acres of poor land, 18 acres were reserved from it for some poor but industrious men, who, though they had long wit- nessed the former tenant's want of success upon it, gladly and eagerly undertook it. That land, which, from the year 1806 to 1819, had never been able to bear a blade of wheat, and only a scanty crop of oats, is now equally productive with any land in the parish. Last summer (1830), a larger quantity of wheat, per acre, was produced upon this land than upon land hitherto esteemed some of the best in Broad Somerford. A portion of this land let to eight industrious tenants, each of whom holding a patch containing from 1 rood to 1 acre and 35 poles, having borne 84 sacks, 1 peck of potatoes, on the average, per acre, value 161. 16s. and of wheat 4 quarters 1 bushel and 2 pecks (on the average) per acre, value 13^ 8s.* But I have yet to produce a much stronger instance of the efficacy of the poor man's husbandry.— In the summer of 1829, * The wetness of the season was certainly favourable for the lighter land and something may be allowed to this circumstance ; but it is notorious that these eighteen acres, formerly of marshy peaty land, now are uniformly and abundantly productive, under the poor man's mode of cultivation. — I must observe, that on these eighteen acres, there are five-and-twenty tenants. 20 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. a tenant, William Knapp (I mention names in these statements, that my facts may be examined, if they admit of the smallest doubt), informed my son, who has for some time collected my rents for me, that he mnst give up, at Michaelmas, his farm of eighty acres, adjoining the above-mentioned eighteen-acre piece. He stated that his crops would hardly repay his labour, and that instead of paying his yearly rent of sixty pounds, he requested thirty might be deemed sufficient, in consequence of the unfa- vourableness of the season. A receipt in full was given for the sum thus offered, and the farm surrendered at Michaelmas 1829. On this occasion, my son wished me to let the whole farm to the poor, in small portions ; but I objected, lest the offer of so large a quantity should overstock the market, and lessen its value in the estimation of my poor tenants. But on the day appointed for letting it, there were so many eager and importunate applicants for it, that he was prevailed on to exceed his commission, and let the whole farm to them, in portions of one or two acres, with the exception of fourteen or fifteen acres of sandy gorse or furze land, of much too bad a quality to be rendered profitable to them. Selecting the most indus- trious and deserving of the applicants, and making them cast lots for their several portions, all were pleased and satisfied : and this farm of eighty acres, which the preceding year had been thrown up at a rent of 60/., has this year produced upwards of 801. clear of all expenses, from willing, punctual, grateful tenants ; not a sixpence was dejicient at the annual audit last Michaelmas. Whoever has experienced the eagerness of the poor man to rent a small portion of land, and knows the value he puts upon it, will not be equally surprised at the regularity of his payment; but the important question is, did it really answer the poor man's purpose further than employing his extra labour, and giving him the appearance of a little independence, by possess- ing a something he could call his own? It is principally for the purpose of answering this question, that the present state- ment is published. The annexed table of average produce will prove what spade husbandry, and the poor man working for himself, can produce, even on very inferior soils. Here is land, tithe-free, with the poor-rates moderate, which the farmer throws up at 15s. an acre (a sufficient proof of its very indifferent quality), yet this land is made productive, and amply productive, by the poor man's attention and industry. It was not fresh broken-up land, which for one or two seasons may produce a crop, but is soon exhausted ; it had been full twenty years under the plough, and during that time never in one single instance had a good crop. Yet, by the blessing of Providence, in tlie very first year of the poor man's occupa- COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 21 tion, it is covered with a luxuriant harvest, presenting a scene interesting from its abundance, as well as from the suddenness of the change. Many visited it out of curiosity, who can con- firm this account ; but that it may not be left to such uncertain evidence, I must refer to the accompanying table, the particu- lars of which were collected from the mouths of the individual poor tenants, who may at any time be referred to. Upphr Marsh Farm. — The crops raised from this poor light land by eight tenants, holding from one to two acres and 1 rood each, which was let to them soon after Michaelmas 1829, were as follow : Potatoes, per acre Wheat, ditto Barley, ditto Oats, ditto The above statement of profit is independent of each holder being allowed a fair remuneration for his labour, rent, manure, seeds, &c. Average Produce. Sacks. Bu. Pks. Value £. s. d. Nett Profit. £. 8. d. 79 1 3 — 15 17 9 6 4 9 7 2 2 — 12 4 7 7 9 — 7 16 6 — 3 17 9 14 2 — 8 16 — 4 9 8 JOHN BENSON'S OPINION OF THE VALUE OF LAND TO LABOURERS. John Denson, known as the labouring gardener of Water- beach, and author of " The Peasant's Warning Voice," in a letter treating on the effects of the allotment system, says — I feel great pleasure that you have condescended to notice and approve of my humble efforts in the cause of humanity and of justice. I have the pleasure of informing you, that the plan of letting the labourers have land to cultivate at their leisure hours, has been tried ; and the result, as far as it has been tried, has tended to prove the utility of the measure and the practicability of my ideas upon the subject. I shall confine myself to two circumstances; the one in a neighbouring village, the other in my own; which, together with some rem.arks that I shall now make, will form the subject of this letter. — The first is, that of a cottager who has a piece of land attached to his cottage that was considered of but little worth : he has with his labour, and the manure of the pigs, fowls, &c. brought it to that state of cultivation, that it has this season produced the best crop in the parish! — The other is that of a farmer in my own parish, who last year (very much to his credit) gave each of his labourers small portions of land to plant with potatoes : the produce was of infinite service to them during the last hard winter. The same farmer has allotted portions of land amongst them this 2*2 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. season, on condition that they should find seed and labour, and that he should be entitled to half the crop as a compensation for his land, which is now left in an excellent condition for wheat. Although I may consider the above conditions hard, yet 1 wish to observe, that they are customary. I have had land on the same conditions, and it is a great favour to procure it on the above terms. My neighbours are pleased with their share of the produce, and I participate in their pleasure ; they inform me that they have not lost an hour's work, save the time that it took to take them up, the rest has been done at their leisure hours. My object has been to prove to you what a kind- hearted landlord may do when he steps forward in behalf of the labourer. Now, in the above instance, the rate of produce, taking it at the report of the labourers themselves, is not less than 400 bushels per acre ; and allowing them to be worth one shilling per bushel (and they are not worth less), a crop is pro- duced worth 201. From this sum, deducting 51. for seed-pota- toes, and the ordinary rent of the land, there will remain 15/. for labour. Thus you see that an acre of land to a labourer, cultivated at leisure hours, by himself and family, would be worth 15/. a year, or more than he gets for half a year's labour. Then, away with the idea of the necessity of relieving, or of making up the wages of able-bodied men out of the poor's rates, in agricultural districts ! I have hitherto spoken of the land of my own parish ; but I know of no vegetable soil that cannot be made conducive to the comfort of the labourer. I wish, with the benevolent Pennant — that upright magistrate and friend of the poor — that " the labourer had the means of keeping a cow to supply his family with milk." I shall conclude this letter in his own words, where, in speaking of the labourer, he observes, that " they constitute too useful a class of men to be neglected, or to be left to the precarious possibility of getting any of that invigorat- ing fluid so necessary for their infants, and even for the support of their own strength, to sustain them through their labour. Give them a dry cottage with an upper floor, and a kind land- lord, and a British labourer need not envy Csesar." LORD BRAYBROOKE'S ACCOUNT OF THE WORK- ING OF THE SYSTEM, IN A COMMUNICATION FROM HIS LORDSHIP. Audley End, Dec. 18th, 1830. In the autumn of 1829, my attention was directed to the sub- ject of cottage allotments, by the perusal of a paper in the 4Ist COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 23 vol. of the Quarierhj Review, " Upon the Condition of the English Labourers," and a pamphlet by John Denson of Water- beach, in Cambridgeshire, entitled "The Peasant's Warning Voice to Landlords," which contains much useful information. I soon came to the conclusion, that there could be no harm in trying the experiment, and I issued proposals for letting small portions of land to the poorer inhabitants of Littlebury ; and the plan being approved by those for whose benefit it was in- tended, came into operation a few weeks before its adoption in the adjoining parish of SaftVon Walden. The system has since excited general attention : and I flatter myself that a short account of the proceedings at Littlebury may not be uninterest- ing. The spot selected for the allotments was a portion of a very large field, in my own occupation, situated on a hill behind Littlebury church, and less than a quarter of a mile from the village. The number of holdings set out amounted to thirty- four, varying in size from thirty-one to forty-seven rods ; and the land being inferior in quality to that at Walden, the rent was fixed at three-pence per rod, and no demand was made for rates of any kind, and the parish is tithe free. The season proved very favourable, and the crops good and abundant. The rents were duly paid, and no instance of any complaint or im- proper conduct, has as yet occurred. The prizes given by me for the best cultivated allotments, vvere awarded in October last, by three judges, nominated by the occupiers themselves, to the following persons : WiUiam Rider - - - - 32 rods — 10 shillings John Parish, sen. ---31 „ — 7 „ James Freeman - - - 33 „ — 3 „ Although no doubt was entertained of all the little tenants having been adequately remunerated for their labour, it appeared desirable, if possible, to attain, in the infancy of the system, such details of the outlay and profit, as should effectually prove its beneficial results. To further this object, the Vicar of Lit- tlebury, the Rev. H. Bull, — who is always foremost in acts of kindness and benevolence towards his parishioners, and has, from the first moment, evinced a great interest in the success of these proceedings, — undertook to make the requisite enquiries from the occupiers, and drew out the following statement. Mr Bull added, that the information was given without hesitation or reluctance, and that he implicitly believed it to be correct; remarking also, that in his intercourse with the poor men during the investigation, he heard nothing but pleasing expressions of satisfaction from them all. It was deemed unnecessary to apply to every individual, no particular selection having been made at the time of the enquiry ; in proof of which, the names of the successful candidates for the different prizes do not appear iu the list: — 24 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. OUTLAY AND PROFIT, 1830. Rods Seed, Ci ir- Product Produce Occupiers. of Land. 1 Rent. riage, and Manure. of Barley in Potatoes. £. 8. d. £. 8. d. £. s. d. £. 8. d. David Wright - 45 11 3 1 8 3 1 13 3 7 6 Joseph Seman - 41 10 3 18 4 1 9 3 James King 36 9 19 9 1 9 3 George Salmon - 33 8 3 7 2 1 13 James Rider 35 8 9 11 1 6 15 James Carter 33 8 3 9 8 1 2 13 Ralph Strange - 33 8 3 13 6 1 13 Richard Claydon 33 8 3 14 3 1 1 13 Henry Claydon - 33 8 3 15 9 I 1 13 Isaac King - - 34 8 6 13 2 6 Martin Young - 33 8 3 8 9 18 13 James Reed - - 33 8 3 9 6 1 13 Charles Andrews 34 8 6 13 9 1 5 14 456 5 14 9 5 2 14 8 16 4 6 26 16 7 6 4 6 Expense 14 16 8 Produce 42 12 Expense 14 16 8 Return for Labour £27 15 4 These results agree very much with the statements of profits obtained by cottage tenants in other places, as quoted in the Quarterly Review, and which, I confess, appeared to me, when I first read the paper, as extravagant, little thinking that they would so shortly be realised in my own neighbourhood. In conclusion, it should be stated that I have, since harvest, received many fresh requests for allotments in Littlebury, as well as for the enlargement of the original holdings, affording the best proof that the system works well, and is becoming daily more popular in the parish. Arrangements are now com- pleted for accommodating every applicant ; due regard being paid to setting out the land as contiguous as possible to the cottages in those hamlets which are distant from the village. The quantity of the land apportioned in 1829 and 1830, is as follows : — Rent. Occu- Rods. A. R. P. £. s. d. piers. From Michaelmas 1829, 1155 — 7 35 — 14 3 9 — 34 Increased since Mi- ( „„^„ m n a ac n n 1 1 loon . I 3360 — 21 — 42 — 77 chaelmas 1830, to ) The allotments vary from eighty to thirty rods. I am now engaged in extending the system to the neighbour- ing village of Wendon. I am, dear sir, yours, &c. &c. BUAYBUOOKE. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 25 RUGBY POOR'S FRIEND SOCIETY. [The following is an outline of an Association of persons, totally distinct from the parish and parish authorities, for bettering the condition of the labouring poor, at Rugby, in Warwickshire ; the Secretary of which has himself adopted the plan with about sixty labourers, for a period of nearly six- teen years, and with the most complete success.] I BEG to inclose, for the information of the Labourers' Friend Society, some rules which have been entered into on the forma- tion of a Society at Rugby, for taking land in order to re-let it to the poor in small allotments, at moderate rents. The Society has already been able to take 16 acres of land, which it has let to upwards of 100 of the poor, according to their wants. Pre- vious to the formation of this Society, many of the poor could only obtain garden-ground by renting it of a middle man, at an exorbitant rent. The Society considers it of the utmost con- sequence that the land should be situated within a short dis- tance of the dwellings of the poor; and that a light soil should (if possible) be fixed upon; the produce of which is less likely to be affected by an unfavourable season than that of a heavy soil. It must be obvious that a society of the sort, besides effecting its main object, has the salutary effect also of keeping up the connecting link between the poor and their richer neigh' hours. Extract from the Resolutions. At a General Meeting of the inhabitants of Rugby, held at the Vestry-room, on Saturday, the 11th of December, 1830: — Resolved, that with a view to improve the condition of the poor of this parish, and to promote industry amongst them, the members of this Society do take the earliest opportunity of renting one or more close or closes of land, for the purpose of reletting such land to the poor in small allotments, at moderate rents, so that no benefit may accrue to the Society.* A TEN YEARS' TRIAL OF THE PLAN, UNDER GREAT DISADVANTAGES. [Communicated by a Gentleman residing in Wiltshire.] Sir, Having seen your Publication on the advantages resulting to the community by restoring portions of land to the cottages of agricultural labourers, I address a short statement of facts * For the Regulations under whieli allotments are let to the poor, by the Rugby Poor's Friend Society, — sec Appendix. 26 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. with respect to my own estate, where I have tried something similar, during the last ten years, situated in north Wiltshire, consisting of about 1.500 acres; 1000 acres of which were pas- ture, 350 arable, 100 heath, and 50 wood, and other waste land. This estate was a manor of itself, and what we call, in that part of the country, a tithing, viz. having overseers and a chapel, but not maintaining its poor ; it belonged to the mother parish, in a town three miles distant, to which also appertained three other tithings, somewhat smaller than my own. Perhaps no estate in England had been more neglected ; the owner, a widow lady, had held it nearly sixty years, without having visited it more than once : there was no resident clergyman, no mansion-house, a deep soil, and roads scarcely passable for any sort of carriage. I succeeded to this property in 1816, and in the year 1820, I inclosed it by act of parliament. The 100 acres of heath were very indifferent, wet land ; but capable of producing corn, by management and some expense. The inducement to break it up was the advantage of procuring straw in a pasture country. The Commissioner advised me to set a- pavt eight acres for the poor of the tithing. It is to the distribution of this small plot of ground that I am particularly anxious to draw your attention. Several friends endeavoured to dissuade me from this application of my eight acres, stating the impossibility of paupers manuring them suffi- ciently to render them productive for more than three or four years : they have now for ten years, however, been most suc- cessfully cultivated, and have proved such a source of comfort to my village population, and happiness to myself, that I am induced to publish the history of their management. My village is a good deal scattered ; the population about 160 souls ; and the heads of the cottage families, about eigh- teen. The land was, upon an average, about a quarter of a mile from each cottage. The price of this heath to the farmer, was 16s. per acre, for a term of fourteen years — a moderate rent, in consideration its being cleansed from the heath, furze, and briars. The cottagers had it at the same rent, but from year to year only; no stipulation was made with the latter that in no event should they receive parish relief while holding the land — no threat that, if they should accidentally require such aid, they should be expelled from their holding. No cot- tager had more than half an acre ; some, indeed, rather less, according to the strength of the family. In the spring of 1820, these allotments were measured, dug, and planted with potatoes. I fitted up a cottage in the village for my own residence, during three months of the autumn, and from this time I speak from personal observation. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 27 I believe that, in 1820, not one of these humble tenants had either a pig-stye, or a pig. The crops of potatoes for the first year were very abundant. In the following year, and ever since, with slight exceptions, the land has been cropped as fol- lows ; one half of the half acre, viz. one quarter wheat, and one quarter potatoes ; about half the latter portion bears a coarse and very prolific potatoe, for the pig, the remainder, a better sort, for the family. From this one quarter of an acre of wheat, after reserving enough to exchange with some farmer for fresh seed, together with the potatoes, a great progress is made towards the sustenance of the family for the whole year. I must remind you, that my restricted quantity of land does not prevent the earning of weekly wages besides. The stubble is carefully cut and stacked, with which the pig is foddered till Christmas, when he is generally killed, and the manure is thus procured for the following season. The manure of this animal is of the strongest kind, and goes much farther than any other dressing. About once in three years the rota- tion of crops is changed to oats, beans, or peas ; some oats produced by the spade, this season, were really magnificent. These portions are duly assessed to the general poor's rate of the parish, in the diminution of which, therefore, these humble occupiers are jointly interested with the farmer. I have known only one instance of these humble cultivators receiving parish relief — a man seventy-five years of age, who disabled his hand by the breaking of a rail. The rent has been most cheerfully and regularly paid, without any request for reduction ; although all my farmers' rents, since 1821, have been lowered 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 per cent., and although the wages which they may have earned have been on infinitely too reduced a scale. Thus, then, for ten years, has this plan been fairly tried, and has perfectly answered. I have never seen a failing crop; on the contrary, the produce of the spade has exceeded, by at least a fourth, that of the plough over the neighbouring hedge, on precisely the same soil. Now let me enumerate the moral and physical results. In 1820, I found the people neglected, poor, uncivil, thieves, poachers, mischievous, and idle. They are now contented, civil, laborious, and honest. Eight years ago, I suffered the usual country revenge, for encouraging the good and punishing the dissolute — I had my plantations twice broken down and destroyed. During the late tumults they have come forward to a man to protect my property ; no disturbances, however, have occurred. 28 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. To what shall we attribute this change of moral habits, within so short a period ? Can it be denied that the chief part of this happy amendment has been effected by their local attachment, their constant employment for their half days, their wet days, their extra hours, and their summer evenings ? For myself, I can truly say, that when I have seen in my autumnal walks, men, women, and children actively engaged in securing their little harvest of corn and potatoes, while contemplating the recompense of their useful toil, while I have listened to their cheerful song, and marked their contented looks, I have derived from these most sincere gratification. These have been the fruits of spade cultivation. Having stated the plan pursued in my own tithing, let me give a short history of it on a larger scale in another part of the parish. There are four classes of persons within the borough, viz. capital burgesses, burgesses, landholders, and commoners (most of them very poor), entitled to certain common rights over a tract of five hundred acres of poor wet land. This com- mon was inclosed in 1821, and divided into two hundred and eighty shares. Under the act, twelve trustees were appointed, and the holders compelled to cultivate their shares for their own individual support. The division of these allotments, after deducting the amount required for roads and fences from the five hundred acres, would leave to each individual something more than an acre. The amount of the poor's rate for this parish, including the tithings, was, for The year ending 24th March, 1819 . . £2074 Is. 8d. The year ending 25th March, 1830 .. £1424 18s. Od. Here is a difference of £649 3s. 8d. During this interval of eleven years too, the annual amount of poor's rates would have materially increased, from the decrease in the farmers' means of giving sufficient wages, and the destructive system of multiplying the parish assessments. Another beneficial result arising from this system, is the winter employment afforded by these plots of land. In my part of Wiltshire, soon after the end of October, the wheat sowing being finished, there is scarcely any labour really necessary for the lands, except ditching and hedging; draining, and unprofitable labour, few farmers can now afford to any extent. Now my spade farmer is fully occupied for six weeks, at least, in open weather, by draining and cutting out furrows on his wheat land, and by digging thoroughly well, and deep, the ground for the potatoe crop, in the spring; so that six weeks are abstracted from that dismal season, when the demand for employment, on the one hand, and the niggardly compliance of the farmer on the other, form a constant source of discontent. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 29 This system, in some instances, has failed; but in every case which 1 have investigated, for some of the following; reasons: — First, — From the avidity to try a new scheme, the cottager is induced to give at the rate, frequently, of 30s. or 40s. per acre: the soil selected is frequently the worst in the parish, so that it ceases too often to be a boon. Secondly, — The site is inconve- nient. One of my great difficulties has been the carting out the manure; the farmer, who is prejudiced against the system, will not cheerfully aid the landlord in this plan : consequently he charges enormously for this necessary work, viz. 12s. for a cart and two horses, for a short winter's day. Thirdly, — The stipulations of the contract are often illiberal and oppressive. It is stipu- lated, for example, that the tenant shall be turned out, if he applies for parochial aid; and is it fair, that if he breaks his arm by falling over a rail (as my poor labourer did), that he shall receive no assistance from the parish funds ? Fourthly, — The quantity is too large. If so much is given as will make the o,ccupier independent of the farmer, one will be ruined, the other inconvenienced. I think any quantity much above an acre would have this eftect. ITS EFFECT IN REDUCING PAUPERISM. [From Keene's Bath Journal of October 27, 1828.] The Hon. Mrs Fokrester had left 300/. to trustees, the interest of which was to be divided every half year among such of the poor of Colerne as never received parochial relief. The trustees with the sum purchased 29 acres of land, which they let for many years to a farmer for 15/. a year, which was regularly distributed. The management devolved on the Rev. J. \V^, W. Horlock, vicar of Box, who thinking the land was worth more, gave notice that he would advance the rent. The land being out of cultivation, the farmer declined giving more for it, and quitted possession. Mr Horlock then thought he could more profitably dispose of the land for the benefit of the claimants, by letting it in small allotments to the poor them- selves, instead of dividing the rent among them. He therefore asked which they would prefer; and they one and all said, " if the land were so divided among them, they should be made for ever;" and the land is from this circumstance, called " Made for Ever." Some of the men occupy one acre each, others only half an acre, according to the number of their children. The land has been thus occupied upwards often years; and by this means, thirty families, including 176 individuals, have been kept free from parish relief; and are rendered respectable and happy. 30 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. As to the improvement of the land, and its far greater pro- ductiveness ; when first let to these people, the farmer left it rather than pay more than ten shillings per acre for it ; it is now worth, through the benefit of spade cultivation, nearly ten pounds per acre. At first, the farmers disapproved of the plan, thinking the men v/ould not so readily work for them ; but such fears have since proved groundless. These men are the most steady and industrious labourers in the parish. Independent of all these labourers and their families being free from the parish, others, in expectancy of succeeding to a piece of land when either of the present possessors dies, submit to any privation, that they may not forfeit their right to it by receiving parochial aid. A list of these is kept by Mr Horlock, and this expectancy is itself an incentive to industry and good conduct. So that if a suflficient number of acres were allotted to the poor, so as to promise a labouring man's soon possessing his expected allotment, the claimants on the parish might soon be reduced to only the aged and impotent. But how much more shall we admire the plan adopted here, and its happy consequences, if we compare it with the painful circumstances which have recently occurred in the county of Sussex, where, for want of the same benevolent and salutary provision, the poor rates have been enormous. At Northiam, for instance, in a population of 1356, the number of persons receiving relief in January, 1822, was 636; and the assessment in the pound, for the year ending Lady-day 1822, was II. lis. 6d.\ — At Burwash, in a population of 1937, the number of persons receiving relief in January, 1822, was 1056, assessment in the pound, 11. 2s. \ — Facts ascertained from Parliamentary documents. Again. If we draw a comparison from materials in an able paper on this subject in the Quarterly Review, for July 1829, it will be further instructive. At Burley on the Hill, in Rutland- shire, the allotment of land to cottagers has been acted on successfully for centuries. Contrast this with Burwash in Sussex, where neither labourer, or his wife and children, enjoy any such advantage. Amount of Rental Amount of Money expended in the support of the Poor assessed to Pro- Poor Rate in in in in perty Tax in ^i' Rent in Burleyonthe) 1776 1783 1803 1815 1815 1815 tirleyonthe"^ Hill, Rut- V land - } land - ) £11 £13 £67 £51 £4822 only 3d. Burwash, I ^^^q ^^gg ^^220 £3391 £5313 12s. bussex. 3 These facts and observations are commended to the attention of benevolent minds. — England still possesses great resources COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 31 for promoting the happiness of the labouring poor; and if the condition of the foundations of the social edifice were success- fully improved, all care for the superstructure would be re- moved. April, ia31. J. B. LETTER FROM THE EARL OF WINCHILSEA. That no tendency to idleness, much less of insubordination, is discoverable in the English labourer; but, on the contrary, that, in proportion to the means afforded him, his exertions in doing justice to the genial soil allotted to his labours, may be relied on, is proved by an uniformity of experience; and, whether the rural history be limited to the kind interference of an individual landlord, or extended to the parish, district, or county, no industry will be found wanting to reward those who supply him with his roods ; and who thus, while keep- ing down poor's rates, cannot fail to secure a good labourer to the farmer, and a heart attached to the country which is thus found to protect him. The following letter was drawn up by the late Earl of Winchilsea for the consideration of the Board of Agriculture, addressed to Sir John Sinclair, Bart. ; and we are happy in having it in our power to add, that the present Earl is impressed with the importance of a similar practice. [Addressed to Sir John Sinclair, Bart., for the Consideration of the Board of Agriculture.] Sir, At your request, I made what inquiries I could during the short time I was in the country, as to the situation of labourers renting small quantities of land ; and am more and more con- firmed in the opinion I have long had, that nothing is so bene- ficial both to them and to the landowner, as their having land, to be occupied either for the keeping of cows, or as gardens, according to circumstances. By means of these advantages, the labourers and their families live better, and are consequently more fit to endure labour; it makes them more contented and more attached to their situa- tion, and it gives them a sort of independence which makes them set a high value upon their character. In the neighbour- hood in which I live, men so circumstanced are almost always considered as the most to be depended upon and trusted. The possessing a little property certainly gives a spur to industry ; 32 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, as a proof of this, it has almost always happened to me, that when a labourer has obtained a cow, and land sufficient to maintain her, the first thing he has thought of has been, how he could save money enough to buy another ; and I have almost always had applications for more land from those people so cir- cumstanced. There are several labourers in my neighbourhood, who have got on in that manner, till they now keep two, three, and some four cows, and yet are among the hardest worJcing men in the country, and the best labourers. I believe there are from twenty to eighty labourers upon my estate in Rutland, who keep from one to four cows each ; and I have always heard that they are hard-working, industrious men. They manage their land well, and always pay their rent. With regard to the profit they make of a cow, I am informed that those who manage well will clear about 20d. a week, or 41. 6s. 8d. per annum, by each cow ; supposing the rent of the land, levies, expences of hay-making, &c. to cost them 41. exclusive of house-rent. This is calculated supposing all the product, except a little for their families, sold. Whether this is too low, or how it is, I cannot say ; but certainly, those who have a cow appear to be (in comparison with those who have none) much more than 20d. a week richer. It may be owing to the superior industry of those families. I must observe, that they keep sheep during the winter upon their cow-pasture, at the rate of two, and in some cases, three, at 2s. 6d. each, for each cow-pasture. This is included in the above estimate of profit. The skim-milk is also valued. Some of them, where the land is not good, do not pay so much. I put down four pounds, supposing the land to be remarkably good, and it is certainly more advantageous to them to occupy good land at a high rent, than poor land at a low one. They all agree, that two cows are more than twice as profitable as one, particularly when the suckling of calves is the system pursued. The gene- rality of the people near me suckle calves ; some make butter, and a few make cheese ; some buy the supernumerary lambs of the farmers, and rear them by hand : and when they have more than one or two cow-gaits, stock with sheep, at the rate, in sum- mer, of three for a cow-gate. Those who have families and one cow, generally make butter for the sake of having skim-milk for their children, which is an article rarely to be obtained by the poor. When a labourer has an offer of a cow-gate, and land for winter provision, and has not money enough to purchase a cow, he generally applies to his employer, who will, in all pro- bability, advance him some money ; and the inhabitants of the parish, if the man has a good character, frequently subscribe to set him up, from charitable motives, and from a persuasion that by this means his family will never want relief from the parish ; and this is so much the case, that when a labourer dies, and COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 33 his son takes his land and stock, he, in some cases, maintains the widow. I know of several instances of h^bourers' widows who are past work, who are supported by their sons, who could not otherwise have lived without parish relief. In a village near me, where there is a great number of labourers who keep cows, the poor-rate is not at this time more than 6d. in the pound ; the number of inhabitants, 335. When a poor man's cow dies, it is certainly a great distress, and sometimes the owner is obliged to ask assistance to replace her, and, somehow or otlier, they always contrive to get one, as I scarcely ever knew a cow-gait given up for want of ability to obtain a cow, except in the case of old and infirm women, who are left without children ; they (unless they have some assist- ance from the parish) cannot live npon the profits of a cow, nor can they manage it properly. Should a case of this sort occur, the parish-officers would act very unwisely in refusing any assistance ; they would oblige the woman to part with her cow, and then she must have her whole subsistence from them. I applied to Mr Barker, of Lyndon, Rutland, for some informa- tion, with regard to the antiquity of the custom in that county, of letting cow-gaits for labourers, and received the following letter from him : My Lord, Lyndon. I have considered your lordship's question as to the la- bourers keeping cows, and think it is certainly a very useful thing for them to do so ; most of the poor people of this parish do keep cows, one, two, or three to a family, and a great advantage it is to them ; so that vw can hardly say, there are any industrious persons here who are really poor, as they are in some places where they have not that advantage. It has been the practice of this place, time out of miad. We have a ground, called the Cottager's Close, wherein the poor, for an easy rent, keep eighteen cows ; and I suppose it was laid out for them at the inclosure of the lordship in i6'24. On that close, tlie cows go from May-day to St Andrew's, and in winter they take them into their homesteads; and while several neighbouring lordships were open fields, they would buy hay reasonably, to feed them with at this season ; and we have screral little takes, of a few pounds a year, rented by the cottagers ; and / have made some new ones ; for since the inclosure of those parishes, hay is grov.-n very dear, and is scarcely to be had at all. I believe it always was the custom for every one to keep a milch cow, who could raise money enough to buy one, and could get keeping for it; I imagine it was so in this parish long before it was inclosed. I think there are cottagers who have a D 34 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. rio-lit of common in Hambledon cow-pasture; but your lord- ship must know that much better than I do. There are little estates and cottagers, who have a right of common in Northuf- fenham cow-pasture. There were persons at Edith-Weston, who had such before the inclosure; and I believe it was the same in other towns also ; but I am sorry to say, that I am afraid most of these cottages v/ere taken away at the time of the several inclosures, and the land thrown to the farms; wherein, I think, they did very wrong; but we have an instance of a new inclosure, where that good old custom is still retained ; for Sir John Rushant has made a considerable number at Thetton. I believe the cow-pasture and ploughing lands to each cottage is four acres. I wish, and I have often said so, that the Parlia- ment would make it a rule, never to grant an inclosure without a close laid out for the benefit of the poor*. I am, &c. Tiios. Barkeu. I can add, that upon my own estate, the custom is, I believe, of the greatest antiquity ; I have labourers, tenants, in whose families the land they now occupy has been for near two hundred years; and they have, as far as I can learn, been always good labourers, and received no relief from the parish. I have made several new takes of that sort, and have always found them to answer. With regard to manuring their meadow ground — by keeping a pig or two, which they generally do, they contrive to manure ; their employer generally sells to them or gives them, a small quantity of straw, and sometimes they procure fern, or collect weeds. The situation of labourers may, I think be classed as follows: 1. Those who have a sufficient quantity of grass inclosed land, to enable them to keep one or more cows winter and summer, and a garden near their house. — This is, in my opinion, the best situation for a labourer ; as, except the haymaking, the rest of the business is done by his wife, and his labour is not inter- rupted. Where a grass field is allowed to a certain number, and each have a field for mowing near their house, or where * Upon this suggestion, dictated I)y the benevolence of Mr Barker, the Coinniittce desire to remark, tliat unless such a provision were accompa- nied M-ith an enactment that tlie same should be inalienable, the intention would probably be too fretiuently defeated. It has happened, in a parish, where, upon an inclosure of more than 0,000 acres, to tlie best of his recollection, 21.5 acres were allowed to the poor inhabitants : all of which, alas ! were subseciuently swallowed up, and the money, after deducting cxpences, spent upon a sumptuous court house ! COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 35 there are two fields, one grazed and one mown alternately, and properly situated, it will be as advantageous, or nearly so, as having a small inclosure to themselves. This can only take place in counties where^ there is an abundance of grass land. 2. Those who have a summer pasture for their cow, and some arable land, upon which they grow the winter provision. — This is not so advantageous as No. 1. because more of their time is taken up by the arable land ; however, as they must, in order to make any hay, have part of the land sown with grass, the labour is not so much as to be hurtful to them. This is adapted to counties where there is a mixture of pasture and arable. 3. Those icho have a right to common for a summer keep of a cow ; and a meadoiv, or arable ground, or a meadow in common for the winter provision. This would be like the two former, were it not that nine commons out of ten are so much over- stocked, that the summer keep is very bad. This is a very great loss; and if the meadow is in common, it is another disadvantage. It is certain, that upon an inclosure, if the owner chose it, the labourers who keep cows may be placed in a much better situation than they are ; inasmuch as in- closed land is more valuable to occupiers of every description than commons and open fields. Garden ground may be allotted to them, and others, which cannot be done while the land remains uninclosed. I am persuaded, that where these things are attended to, very few objections to an inclosure will arise on the part of the labourers, and then the landowners will have the satisfaction of benefitting the poor, and at the same time of making their own property more valuable, by adopting what, in all probability, will be the means of keeping down the poor's-rates. I suppose gardens near the houses to all these : should not that be the case, as they have land, they may raise garden- stuff; but if their land is at a distance from their houses, it is not so advantageous ; and if their take is all grass, they can find no ground to dig, except, perhaps, where a hay-stack has been placed the preceding year. 4. Those who have a right to common, and a garden. — This is certainly very beneficial to them ; geese and pigs may be kept on the common, and the latter fed with the produce of the garden and a small quantity of purchased food. 5. Those who hare a right of common, and no garden. — This, unless fuel is obtained, is of no great value to them : if 3G COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. fuel is obtained, it is of great value, and the loss of it difficult to be made up to them, G. Those who have several acres of arable land, and no summer pasturage for a cow. — This is, I believe, of no sort of use to a labourer ; for though he may cullivate part of the land as a garden, tlie continued labour it would require to supply stall- feed for a cow, winter and summer, and the quantity of land he must till, would occupy so much of his time, that the take would, upon the whole, be injurious to him, even supposing the land inclosed and contiguous to his house ; if at a distance, or not inclosed, the disadvantage will be still greater. I am sorry to differ on this subject from Mr Barker; but, perhaps, in other parts of the i;dand, his plan of a take, iutirely arable, might answer. I am persuaded it would not, in the parts I am acquainted with, and that the farmers would not sell their hay, which is a part of his plan. I believe that a summer pasture for the cow is absolutely necessary, to make it of advantage to the labourers to keep them. 7. Those ivho have a garden near the house. — This is the best thing that could be done for the labourers in arable counties; and when there are other reasons which prevent them from keeping cows. 8. Those who have no land whatever. — This is a very bad situation for a labourer to be placed in, both for his comfort and for the education of his children. When a labourer is possessed of cattle, his children are taught early in life the necessity of taking care of them, and acquire a sound know- ledge of their treatment; and if he has a garden, they learn to dig and weed, and their time is employed in useful industry ; by which means they are likely to acquire more honest and industrious habits than those who are bred up in the poverty and laziness we often see ; for I believe it to be a certain fact that extreme poverty begets idleness. For these reasons, I am clearly of opinion that the letting land to labourers is of great utility both to them, to the land-owner, and fa the community ; for though in every village some idle people will be found, who are not tit to be entrusted with, or capable of receiving benefit from land ; still the greater number will ; and it may have the effect of making those industrious who would not otherwise have been so. When circumstances will admit of it, their having land to enable them to keep cows, is the most desirable thing for them ; but a very great part of the island will not, in my opinion, allow of that system being pursued. Where there is not any thing but arable land, — and also in the neighbour- hood of large towns, — the value of grass-land is too great to allow of labourers renting it with advantage ; a garden may. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. ^7 however, be allotted to them, in almost every situation, and will be found of infinite use to them. In counties where it has? never been the custom for labourers to keep cows, it would be very difficult to introduce it ; but where no gardens have been annexed to the cottages, it is sufficient to give the ground, and the labourers will know what to do with it, and will reap aa immediate benefit from it. Of this, I have had experience in several places, particularly in two parishes near Newport- Pagnell, Bucks; where there had never been any gardens annexed to the labourers' houses, and where, on land being allotted to them, they all, without a single exception, cultivated their gardens extremely well, and profess receiving the greatest benefit from them. 1 beg to observe, that when I mention cow- pastures, I always suppose there to be a sufficiency of land to enable the cow to be kept tolerably well both in v/inter and summer; if that is not the case, I believe that the cow is but of little benefit to the owner* ; and when I mention gardens, I always mean large gardens, I always mean from a rood to an acre, or more, if the land is poor. There are very small spots of a few square yards, which we sometimes see near cottages, I can hardly consider gardens; I think there sliould be as much as would produce all the garden-stuff the family consumes, and enough for a pig, with the addition of a little meal. I think they ought to pay the same rent that a farmer would for the land, and no more. I am persuaded that it frequently happens that a labourer lives in a house, of twenty or thirty shilUngs a year rent, which he is unable to pay ; to which if a garden of a rood were added, for which he would have to pay five or ten shillings a year more, that he would be enabled by the profit he would derive from the garden, to pay the rent of the house, &c. with great advantage to himself. As I before mentioned, some difficulties may occur in establishing the custom of labourers keeping cows, in those parts of the country where no such custom has existed; wherever it has or does exist, it ought by all means to be encouraged, and not suffered to fall into disuse, as has been the case to a great degree in the midland counties: one of the causes of which I apprehend to be, the dislike the generality of farmers have to sec the labourers rent the land ; perhaps one of the reasons for disliking this is, that the land, if not occupied by the labourers, would fall to their own share ; and another, I am afraid, is, that they rather wish to have the labourers more dependent upon them ; for which reason, they are desirous of * The supplying a cow witli a sufHcicncy of nutritive food, is of more consequence tlian is generally imagined : to make a cow at all profitable, it must be wellCi^d, else the u\i\k will be trifling in quantity, and poor in quality ; added to this, that the cow decreases in condition, and consequently lessens in value. 38 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. hiring the house and h\nd occupied by a labourer, under pretence, that by that means the landlord will be sure of his rent, and that they will keep the house in repair. This the agents of estates are too apt to give in to, as tliey find it much less trouble to meet six than sixty tenants at a rent-day, and by this means avoid being sometimes obliged to hear the wants and complaints of the poor. When all parties therefore join in persuading the landlord, who it is natural to suppose (unless he have time and inclination to investigate the matter very closely) will agree to this their plan, from the manner in which it comes recommended to him : it is in this manner, that the labourers have become dispossessed of their cow-pastures, in various parts of the midland counties. The moment the farmer obtains his wish, he takes every particle of the land to himself, and re-lets the house to the labourer, who by this means is rendered miser- able ; the poor's-rate increased : the value of the estate to the land-owner diminished: and the house suffered to go to decay; which, when once fallen, the tenant will never build again, but the landlord must, at a considerable expense. Whoever travels through the midland counties, and will take the trouble of inquiring, will generally receive for answer, that formerly there were a great many cottagers who kept cows, but the land is now thrown to the farmer ; and if he inquires still farther, he will find that in those parishes the poor's-rates have increased in an amazing degree, more than according to the average rise throughout England. It is to be hoped, that as the quantity of land required for gardens is very small, it will not elicit the jealousy of the farmers. I must, however, say, that I do by no means allude to all farmers or all agents of estates ; for 1 can with truth say, that 1 know a great-many farmers, who are con- vinced of the utility of letting land to labourers, and who have voluntarily given up land to be applied to that purpose, notwithstanding they had leases ; and I also have the pleasure of being acquainted with agents of estates, who have the most liberal ideas upon those subjects. I cannot conclude without expressing my hearty wish for the success of the " General Inclosure Bill," which you are now framing, particularly as I know that it is your wish and intention completely to guard the rights of the cottager, and to consult the interest of the labourer. By the attention of the legislature, a great deal may be done, but still an infinite deal more must depend upon the proprietors of estates ; I therefore hope that some more able advocate than I am, will plead the cause of labourers, that all the land-owners in the island may be convinced of the necessity of attending to the comfort and happiness of those most useful members of society. I have the honour to be, &c. To Sir John Sinclair, Bart. WiNCHILSEA, COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 39 REMEDY FOR POOR'S RATES. [From Mr Gilbert Hobman.] In the parish where I reside, the poor's-rate, about forty years ago, was 50/. ; and for the year ending Lady-day, 1820, the rate amounted to upwards of 600/. W hat is the reason of this difterence ? 1 apprehend it is, that at the former period labourers in general had land attached to their cottages at a reasonable rent: some had sufficient to keep a cow the year round; and where this was the case, a man lived in no danger of poverty ; for where a cow was kept, there was milk for the children, and a good pig was yearly brought up and killed for the use of tlie family ; and nothing looks better in a poor man's house than a pig hung up in the chimney corner. But some had not so much land, having only from a rood to an acre ; and even this small parcel was sufficient to keep a man from craving relief from the parish officers ; for he con- trived so to manage his ground, as to live at least rent free. It was no uncommon thing then to see a man cultivate his garden after the work of the day was done for his master : his wife and children all happy in lending a helping hand. So far is land attached to cottages from making labourers idle and careless, that I know of no greater stimulus to exertion and industry. Another cause of the greater burthen on parishes now, than formerly, may be in the different manner of living. It is within the memory of many persons, when flour was not commonly used ; every good housewife then dressed her own meal ; the miller only srround the corn, but never dressed it into flour; in- deed flour-mills were then (forty years ago) not so plentiful as they are now, for many mills had no cylinder for dressing ; all that was requisite, was to have the corn ground ; and did the good woman want a little of it finer than common, she had her tiffany to dress it with, which made it as fine as she desired : a notable good housekeeper prided lierself as much upon the management of her meal, as in looking after her dairy. I am certain the poor-rates would be lowered by letting to every labourer an acre of land with his house : and that the landlords would be gainers, for they would be enabled to let their land for a higher rent as the poor-rate decreased ; and the farmer would pay his rent more cheerfully, than when so much goes in supporting those, who, without any help but being accommodated with a small quantity of land, could a great deal better support themselves. A labourer's wages by the year is about 20/. and his victuals : 40 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. Avliich, you will admit, is very insufficient to bring up a family of four or more children, when he has his rent to pay, and clothins: and victuals to find out of it. It is no wonder that so many applications should be made to the parish for relief, when wages are no higher. The parish pay in the workhouse is much superior to this, being half-a-crown each, weekly, for victuals. ADVANTAGE TO A COTTAGER FROM KEEPING A PIG. James Bramsgrove, a farmer's labourer at Grecnford, in Middlesex, had saved by his industry the sum of four guineas. With this he purchased a hog, which he put up to fatten in the beginning of April. He killed his hog at Michaelmas; the weight was 64 stone 3 lbs. ; part of it he sold at 7^(1. per lb. ; the rest he has reserved for the use of his own family. Esti- mating the whole at l^d. per lb. the value of the hog would have been above 16/.; but, as what he sold consisted of the prime pieces, some deduction ought to be made on that ac- count. Where a cottager possesses any property, when he has a garden, a pig, or a cow, his advantage is to be estimated, not merely by the pecuniary profit produced, but by the superior tone of industry and economy which he acquires. In the in- stance which I have mentioned, of James Bramsgrove and his family, the prospect of increased comfort and of improved means of subsistence, gave an incentive and a pleasure to all their labour and exertions during tlie late harvest. Perhaps it may be needless to observe, that habits of application and good conduct, when once acquired and enjoyed, continue in almost every instance through life a blessing to the possessor : and that where the cottager has acquired at home a pleasurable object of industry, to wliich his iiopcs and wishes are directed, it has the effect of attaching him to his situation, of augmenting his energy, and of reconciling him to a life of labour and hardship. There are situations in which, on account of the high value and rent of land, or on account of there being very little grass land or common, a cow cannot he kept with advantage by the cottager; but a pig may be kept and a garden cultivated with benefit to the cottager in every part of the kingdom. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 41 PLAN FOR BETTERING THE LABOURERS* CONDITION. Outline of a Plan submitted to the consideration of the Masris- trates of tlie district of Marshland, for the betterins: the condition of the Labourers in Ag-riculture, and for reducing the Poor Rates ; with a particular reference to the Parish of Terrington. By the Rev. A. Goode. I. Let the overseer hire a quantity of land in different parcels, in proportion to the number of labouring families, and to the size of the parish. In case any difficulty should arise as to the hiring' of a sufficient quantity of land, an acre, or part of one taken from the different occupations, and hired and paid for by the overseer, might answer as well. II. Let applicants belonging to the parish, and considered as proper persons to be trusted by a majority of a vestry meeting, to be held for that purpose, become managers of a certain portion of land, varying according to circumstances, from one to five roods. III. In cases of good conduct and industry, let these portions be afterwards let to the individuals, and on farther approved conduct, let them be leased, v/hcrc practicable. IV. Let a sum, less than the rent, be paid for the first year, by the cultivator, for the produce; and in particular cases, such as of illness, or a very numerous family, let the whole produce be considered as stock, for the ensuing year, and no rent, or sum in lieu thereof, be paid at all. V. Let the rent be easy to all. VI. For the year Ijeginning at Michaclinas, 1817, let one half of the portion of land allotted to each family be in a state fit for wheat. VII. Let the future management of the land be such, that generally one half shall be fit for sowing wheat at Michaelmas. It will be found that in a family of parents and children, where there are great and small, and where there is a sufficiency of potatoes and a little pork, 5lbs. of wheat-meal per head, will be enough for the consumption of a week. At this rate, a family consisting of five persons (the general average of cot- tagers), would consume about 93 stone of meal in the year, or about 5-|-i- coombs of wheat, reckoning 16,^ to the sack. Upon an average, a cottager might be supposed to grow 3 coombs upon a half acre, his wife and family generally would glean at 42 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. least l-l" coombs; so that if six coombs of wheat v/ere necessary, he would have but l^- to purchase for tlie whole year. BENErlTS RESULTING TO THE LABOURER. The price of corn would not materially affect him. He might have a store for the winter half year, and half of the summer. Potatoes lasting all the year round, he need never be reduced to absolute want. He could keep a pig, and have a greater quantity than usual of animal food. He would have an interest in the soil of his country, and his happiness would be increased in consequence. To the Parish, — There would be the advantage of fewer applications to the overseer for employment — A diminished poor- rate — An ample provision for an increasing population. To the Country, — There would be an industrious, indepen- dent, and thriving peasantry, instead of a population indolent lor want of employ, and insolent for want of food and raiment. In Terrington, the sum given to make up wages, and in lieu of employ, has mounted so high as 20/. in the year for one family, and that family in a constant state of beggary and want; whereas 3/. — if so much were necessary — expended in the hire of land, would provide them with abundance. The inhabitants of the workhouse cost upon an average, at least 5s. per head for a week, or at the rate of 651. a year for five persons; whereas the cottager with a family of five, supposing him to earn 12s. a week all the year round, would, with an acre of land, be supported for little more than half that sum, namely, for 341. 4s., of which 311. 4s. for labour, and 31. for rent. Query. Would it not be the interest of the parish to place orphan children, and even aged persons, in the houses of cot- tagers, such cottagers being either friends or relations, instead of putting them into the workhouse? It is strongly recommended to all labouring hands, to become members of a saving bank, wliich will be established in Marsh- land, under the sanction of the principal landholders. The foregoing plan has been put in practice at Terrington, as far as circumstances would permit, through the kindness of the Right Honourable Lady Frances Bentinck, of whom two pieces of land were hired for the purpose; one piece contains 22a. 2r. 39p. the other 3 acres. Soon after it was known that the land could be obtained, a notice was given, that such persons as thought they could get their livelihood by the occupation of an acre, and their labour, without troubling the parish, should leave their names at the COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 43 house of the Rev. Mr Goode, and state their ages and number of children. This list having been obtained, a parisli meeting in vestry was called, for the purpose of its consenting to be guarantees for the rent, and also to choose labourers for occu- pying the land. The land was taken, and the choice deter- mined in the following manner : — First of all, about four men were picked, who had in part brought up a family, and had never troubled the parish at all. Then a number of those were selected above fifty years of age; after that, those who had three or more children, and among them, the worst and most troublesome men in the parish : the reason of the last selection being to try the real effect of the plan on men of all descriptions. The men being selected, and the two-and-twenty acre piece being divided into as many parts, the labourers were called to another vestry meeting, and had possession given them of their respective pieces, by lot; all acre pieces but one, and that an half acre. One acre was taken up by a road cut right through the piece, dividing the land into two equal parts, or as nearly as possible. One of these parts is always in potatoes, or peas, and beans, and cabbages; the other in wheat. The parish pays the rent of the acre lost in the road. This took place at Michaelmas, 1817, As soon as the plan had been two full years on trial, inquiries were instituted to ascertain the actual result; which is given in the following table : — 44 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. B .a O H 'A W u I— I > u S 0) CS s 3 c o ►J O H Ch o W PS o l-i o b ca 01 rq ^ c/) at Ph "^ ^ o B «s CS B C3 M =3 JO snojissp ajv sjajiioqui; •DjqBjijojd sSAissuiain Xq jaqjaqAV •6331!}I joqqo OJ P0SS3SSTJ jaqjaq.W a to ■a to to 03 •a ^ -T •S3JBJI qSUEj[ 0} (MSSdSSB jaqjaqAV •SJKSX OAU 3SVI sua joj pad O B o 71 T3 B3 ■s 3 < •X[j3mJoj T3 C ^-» to c •-a VI t/5 V) o O a> - a CI a to a •3 B >. .5 .'^ - CO ^-o ^"^-o ^6 ^ •sou JO qsuBj{ aqi uo A\ou JsqjaqAV •asp jBqAV pu« saoiBjoj JO SHofS XUBIU AVOJ^ o B •a?itf-a|^OOOo"oOOOOOOOOOO g;-s = aaB|=CEaaaBacsa 2'S " S^ ■s°- •« «• ■giO'OiO'O O 'OOO'OOOOOO'-TCDOOOOOO ! aqj ut UAiojS UJO,") JO sq 1U003 I jiUBlu AlOfJ C3 /raOCOI>00 00 QOOXt^l>MQOOOOt-.QOt^OD«5l>->+aO •U3jpi!H3 JO jaqiunjvi »O«0CliO »0 -HLTSO CO -*c;socoio»0'cco-* fio CJOOO O COOrM Tt< TO so T»< -- - O C O O rM CO (M — < !>. IT CO 71 00 "in O -^ 10 CO CO oioco<»rtoco'.-:)Tt a p a 0) a ~ '^ a o «! >^ ,"- J3 a i: Hu a,« 0) = ;< ft. 0) a ^ g « .^ o ^ M a ga ^:2 ^gH^I x; e.n «.-a 3^^.^ g .^H^i^HHPi^^.^^fa^KW^^^ '. «I (1) "S 0. ^ a 3 J2 CD CV5 ^ an 9> JS ^ s to J} a so m " a ^ ja 2 a -9 m O ^^ o - ■" fl .5 g • .-* K O . CS «5 2 o o -« So ■a CJ2 to. H H o a o . s «2 . ^— SI ass «^ S:;i«.2 £ to .2 a 25 s S 2 » 0) I. o *^ *j *** = =11 ■- s « ^ ..a C.8 - J.-. 3} . Cj .a o o J, 2 _ *• C3 >, S = " , 3 S a:5£.'5 C5 , ■~ u o. * S » <= o ;2" a. - t. co"S; c ^ . H tti S toS-o'-B, S (/: *15 1) fc. n o •a "^ r? > e .2 V £tS p g a - ;< p< «, .= <" O u O ■ ^ g-a3SS; o^ t. K o S U _ 2 cc 7^ OJ C3 . cS - aj K - » _ £ 2 Si: Hi b i COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 45 ON THE NECESSITY OF FORMING CENTRAL AND BRANCH ASSOCIATIONS FOR ENCOURAGING INDUSTRY BY COTTAGE ALLOTMENTS. [From the East Anglian Norwich Paper.] That the country is now comparatively tranquil, I rejoice ; yet poverty and discontent are but little diminislied: no forci- ble rise of wages above their natural standard can ultimately benefit the labourer; no forcible suppression of machinery can ultimately make more beneficial employment for the poor. It were unjust to require, and as foolish to expect, the farmer to desist from using such machinery as he thinks to be for his advantage or convenience, as it would be to expect the miller to reject the use of wind and water, and to grind corn by hand- mills. Let it be remembered too, that we have by no means arrived at the acme of improvement in machinery : steam car- riages on rail-ways and common roads, will assuredly very soon become general, while the compact, portable, and economical contrivances for producing steam power exhibited on the Man- chester rail-way, must convince every thinking person that steam power will very shortly supersede the labour of both men and horses to an extent as yet scarcely conceivable. That the ultimate result of the most extensive use of machinery must be good, I have not a doubt ; but that the immediate effect may be to increase the wretchedness of the poor, and to diminish the present scanty demand for human labour, there is every reason to expect. Still a remedy is at hand ; put it into the power of every industrious labourer in the kingdom, married or single, to rent and cultivate, for his own advantage, from one quarter of an acre to a whole acre, or even more if necessary, and you will very soon raise the present body of labourers, from abject poverty and want, to a state of competence and comfort; and you will provide for the profitable employment of any number of labourers likely to be thrown out of work by the adoption of machinery. The plan is not hypothetical; but by facts which would fill a volume, is proved to answer the ends proposed. The only difficulty is in obtaining land suited for the purpose both in quality and in locality, on moderate terms. Farmers cannot be expected to part with a field, while they regard it as lessening their means of su]>porting themselves ; though, should the poor's-rates be greatly diminished by the adoption of cottage allotments, as may be confidently expected, even the farmer will not be backward to assist in this good ■work. Landed proprietors cannot be expected to let a quantity of land in small portions to poor tenants who may be unable to pay the rent. Nor can stewards and agents be expected to 46 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. take the trouble of collecting: small sums from poor cottagers. Unless, therefore, soa>e special measure be resorted to, there seems no likelihood of obtaining^ land for the poor. What then is to be done? Let central and branch associations be formed immediately in every large town and its surrounding neigh- bourhood. Such associations, regularly organized, will collect information, digest plans, and stand ready to embrace every eligible opening for engaging land. Especially when farms become vacant, and are about to be re-let, it may be hoped that such associations will find little difficulty in inducing the pro- prietor to set off ten acres out of five hundred for the use of the poor, seeing that the rent is guaranteed by a respectable asso- ciation, who will kindly come between the landlord and the labouring occupier, and collect it by instalments, or in small sumSj and be answerable for deficiencies. If two respectable individuals would unite with zeal in at- tempting to establish such central associations, they could not but succeed. Let them look round and invite half a dozen persons like-minded with themselves, and form at once a pro- visional committee. The way would then gradually open before them, and their exertions would entitle them to be ranked among the best benefactors of their country. Let the motto of a most successful doer of good be adopted : " Begin directly, and never give it up." ADVANTAGES OF LAND TO LABOURERS— MANNER OF CULTIVATION— MODE OF ERECTING COT- TAGES. [By John Dexson, of Waterbeach.] Waterbeach, July 16, 1821. An ardent desire to promote the happiness of my fellow- labourers, and to express the pleasure that I feel in finding that some of the largest proprietors of land in the country are now advocates for the labourer having land to cultivate, for the benefit of himself and family at their leisure hours, have in- duced me again to take up my pen. I may differ with them, and with you, as to the amount of the portion of land that is neces- sary for that purpose; I have repeatedly given my opinion that it ought to be an acre. I well know that a smaller portion Avould be useful to him, but I wish to see him in possession of the means of fully employing himself and family at their leisure hours ; in which I include broken and wet days, and COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 47 when his employer has not anything for him to do. I wisli to see him in possession of the means of providmg plenty of vegetables for the consumption of his family, of keeping a pig, of benefitting his land, and for providing for his wife and himself when they are past active employment; I wish that such land, where practicable, may be attached to his cottage, and that he may become the immediate tenant of the landed proprietor, without the risk of his rent being raised ; he would shortly detach a few poles (and a very few would be sufficient) for the growing of fruit, such as gooseberries, currants, goslins, &c, which articles, cheap as they are, neither his wife nor family ever taste. As to the management of an acre of land, on the plan that I manage mine, when the principal crop of potatoes is taken up for winter consumption, the land is left in excellent condition for the reception of wheat, without any additional cultivation, and an indifterent hand at dibbling could, with the assistance of his wife and children, deposit the seed-wheat in less than a day ; it would then require no farther attendance until the spring; his wife and children would then clear it from weeds; after that it would want no farther attendance until ready for the sickle, and an active woman would cut it down in a day ; so that he would have nearly the leisure hours of twelve months to manage the remaining half acre. And when it is considered that the additional labour would furnish him with corn to support himself and his family the greater part of the winter, fuel for his oven, litter for his pig, manure for his land, and the means of changing his crop (which is always necessary to ensure a good one) I think all will agree that an acre of land is necessary to procure the above advantages. I have alternately planted my land with wheat and potatoes; I believe this is my fifth crop of wheat, and if I may judge from its present appearances it is likely to be the best crop 1 have yet had, notwithstanding six or eight poles of my wheat-plants were totally destroyed early in the spring by the wire-worm. To supply this deficiency in my crop, in the month of April I drew plants from where I thought I could best spare them, and transplanted them to fill up the vacancies occasioned by the depredations of the wire-worm. Some of my neighbours laughed at me, others told me it would not grow, but I have the pleasure to know that I have no better corn growing than what was thus transplanted. I shall endeavour to show the practi- cability of making land more productive, and its consequent beneficial eftects, as clearly as I can, by supposing that I had the means of summering a cow. In that case, immediately after housing my half-acre of corn, and clearing my land of the stubble, I would get a neighbour to plough it and sow it with rye. Now, whether I fed it off or dug it in, when I dig up my 48 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. ground for potatoes, it could not fail to benefit my land, I would then, in the latter end of March or beginning of April, plant it with potatoes, thick in the rows, and the rows at three feet distance from each other, (perhaps the best way of planting them in all cases.) Between those rows of potatoes I would plant, in the month of June, from a seed-bed raised for that purpose, plants of the cattle-cabbage. These would not injure the potatoes, nor the potatoes injure them ; and by the time the leaves of the plants began to spread, my potatoes would be ready to take up ; the taking up of which would earth up and greatly benefit the cabbages. If I had a good crop it would be impossible for my cow to consume one half of them. My crop of cabbages would be off the ground in sufficient time to dig up my ground to plant with wheat from a seed-bed, or sow witli Talavera wheat. I prefer the transplanting. Thus you will readily perceive the practicability of my having a crop of rye to feed off or dig in for manure ; a full crop of potatoes ; a full crop of cattle-cabbages, and a crop of wheat planted, all on the same land, in little more than twelve months. In short, 1 am convinced that a sober active man could keep a cow, a breeding sow, a good fat hog in the stye, and grow plenty of corn and vegetables for the consumption of his family, and pay rent, rates, and taxes, from the produce of three acres of land. There are 5500 acres of land belonging to Waterbeach, and a population of only 814 souls — about 150 families to 5500 acres: half of which families maintain themselves from the pro- duce of from two to three, and from three to ten acres of land each ! And yet even tlie inhabitants of our parish are complain- ing of our population being too large ; which is true, according to the present system. And if the whole of the land could be vested in two or three hands, by getting possession of what now maintains one half of our population, it would be too large at 500 ! whilst I am positive, that by the principal proprietors of land letting land for the above purposes, and extending it according to the means of the occupiers, to a certain extent, it would more than support and employ 5000, to the benefit of every class in society. By doing this they would restore to society a valuable class, that the system of letting large farms and the taking in of commons has nearly destroyed. Were they to do this, and let the day-labourer have an acre of land attached to his cottage, we should hear no more of pauperism and poor-rates. Mr Malthus m.ight then burn his books, and Mr Scarlett his check-population bill. They (the landed proprietors) wotdd then be a blessing to their country, and live in the esteem of a grateful population. They have my sincere and grateful acknowledgments for what they have done and are now doing. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 49 SUCCESSFUL TRIAL AT BYFIELD, NORTHAMP- TONSHIRE. [By A Member of the Laeolrers' Friend Societv.] At ByHeld, Northamptonshire, a village about eighty miles from London, seven from Daventry: — population about nine hundred ; number of acres 2,600 ; no common ; no tithes ; all inclosed, and in cultivation, in the usual manner; excellent land ; loamy, more or less sand. In 1828, the rector agreed to let one of his fields, con- taining twenty-five acres, for spade cultivation to the poor but industrious labourers, in half acres and quarter acres ; the proposition met with considerable opposition from the resident farmers, and I believe one magistrate ; but they ultimately consented to the trial, with the understanding that none of those who rented any part of this land should receive parochial relief during the time of such holding. The first year, potatoes only were grown by the occupants, but that proving of such great benefit to their families, the next season a considerable part was sown with wheat and barley ; by which the opposition of the farmers was excited to such an extent, that they actually insisted that the land so cultivated should be resumed and pay its quota towards the poor's-rates. The exertions of the industrious labourers were crowned with complete success ; and last year, when I visited the field, the crops v.'cre in the finest condition, and their harvest, I under- stand, was abundant, so much so that some of the parties made 8/. or upwards of their crop, selling it all off" the land as soon as gathered ; others retained the produce to supply themselves and families through the winter, and enable them also to (ccd ix pig; others again sold a part, which allowed the purchase of some necessary article of clothing, &c. It is really most delightful to witness the attention and as- siduity with which this cultivation is carried on, the middle- aged and the young emulating each other in exertion, and which all are fully sensible will prove a great augmentation to their resources. This heart-cheering proceeding in useful, beneficial industry, completely disproves in its results, the assertion that is too often made by persons ignorant of human nature, that some of our 50 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. species will not be spurred into habits of industry and exertion under any circumstances : a gross libel upon our nature indeed! To such I would say, try them ; give a fair field for their efforts, and you will soon see the happy effects of their exertion when they know that their labours will ultimately tend to their own advantage; nay, it is a duty that all landowners owe to their poorer neighbours, to encourage and foster this species of in- dustry, which is productive of such great advantages in a moral and social view ; — not the least of which are the employment of the redundant population in productive labour: also the initiat- ing their children in an occupation of the most healthy kind. THE CAUSES OF THE DISTRESS OF THE AGRICULTURAL POPULATION. [By a Landowner.] As the cause of the distress of the agricultural population in the counties recently disturbed, has not yet been fully inquired into, or ascertained, 1 shall endeavour to show its origin, by comparing the situation of the labourer in those counties, with the advantages enjoyed by the rural population in the districts where there is no ground for complaint, and pointing out the benefi4;s which the labourer derives, by having it in his power to make use of his spare time in cultivating his garden, rooting his own fuel, baking his own bread, and feeding his own pork and poultry ; — advantages which, in the distressed counties, have generally been withheld by the farmers ; and although they pretend that they give higher wages, yet these are not an equi- valent; Avhile the idle time tlirown upon the labourer's hands, in consequence of having nothing to do at home, leads to the commission of crime. Agricultural produce is generally valued at three rents : one for the landlord; one for labour, outlay and interest of capital, tithes and taxes ; and one for the profit of the tenant. When, therefore a bushel of wheat is sold in the market for 8s., its real cost to the farmer is 5s. 4cl. ; and if the labourer is charged the market-price, that is 8s. a bushel for it, he pays a profit equal to one-half its prime cost to the farmer. Suppose, then, that a labourer, with a wife and five children, requires 22 i bushels of wheat in a year, and pays the market price of 8s. a bushel, the amount will be 9/., the actual cost of the grower being only 61., and the profit being 3/. To make COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 51 this into bread (allowing Is. per bushel for grinding, yeast, salt, &c.), will cost \l. 2s. 6d., from which deduct the value of the bran (3 bushels at 2s. 2(/.=6s. 6d.), and there will remain 16s. This added to the price of the wheat, is 9/. IGs. — the expence of bread for himself and family for a year. If the labourer buy from the baker at the retail price, the same quantity of bread that 22i- bushels of wheat will make, he has to pay 15^, which is 51. 4s. per annum more than it would cost him (as shown above) to buy his own wheat, and make it into bread. Now if the farmer pays the labourer wages to meet the retail price of bread, this loss of 51. 4s. falls upon the farmer: if, on the other hand, the labourer's wages are not advanced in pro- portion, the loss falls on the labourer. But when the labourer has a garden to take care of, and is allowed to rent potatoe- ground, — when he is not obliged to buy every necessary of life at retail prices, — he feels the value of his leisure hours, and prefers the benefits arising from industry to stealing and idleness. In the north of Devon, a labourer's cottage and a quarter of an acre of land, are rated at the price of one day's work in every week in the year, or charged 3/. Is. In that part of the country every cottager has his garden, and is allowed by the farmers to hire as much potatoe-ground as he requires, ready ploughed and manured, at the rate of 9d. a pole. Every cottager has one or two pigs and a few fowls, and is allowed to root as many faggots of furze as he requires for fuel, at the rate of Is. a hundred. He buys his corn and his other necessaries of the farmer, and makes his own bread. All this is easily accom- plished by himself and family, without interfering with his regular labour, and the result will be seen by the following account. £ s. d. Cottage and garden, yearly 3 1 40 poles of potatoc land 1 10 1 100 faggots of furze Oil Price of a pig 10 40 bushels of barley, at 4s 8 Grinding ditto 13 4 Yeast 10s. salt 2s. 6c/ 12 6 Wool, 14lbs. at 6(/ 7 £15 14 10 52 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. The rent of a cottage, and the cost of the produce of the garden and potatoe-ground, and other articles of consumption, if purchased by retail, would stand thus: — £ s. d. Cottage without a garden, per annum 2 10 Value of the vegetables 3 3 30 bags, or 91| bushels of potatoes 3 15 1100 faggots, at 6s. 6d. per hundred 3 11 6 400 lbs. of pork, at 4d 6 13 4 Barley, 32 bushels, each producing 401bs. of flour: total 1280 lbs. (3| lbs. of flour will make 4 lbs. 5| oz. of bread.) This pro- duces 365 quartern loaves, at 6rf 9 2 6 Eggs from four hens 8 4 pair strong knitted men's stockings 8 4 pair of women's ditto 5 2 1 pair of children's ditto 18 £30 14 4 Thus the balance in favour of the labourer in Devon, is 14/. 19s. 6d., being the value of his industry during his leisure time, and the profits of his potatoe-land, garden, and the waste of his house. In that part of the country, the wages of those who have constant employment all the year, are 7s. a week, or about 18Z. 4s. a year. This, with 21. extra earnings during the hay and corn harvests, make 20/. 4s , from which take the prime cost of the above articles, 151. 14s. \0d. and a balance is left of 41. 9s. 2d. over and above the value of house-rent, garden, potatoe-land, fuel, food, and stockings, for himself, wife, and live children. The women in the North of Devon work for 6c/. a day, or if they stay at home they earn the same sum by spin- ning. This is 7/. 16s. a year, which added to the last balance, makes 12/. 5s. 2d. The labourer's wife will also earn an extra sum by harvest work, which will make up for those days she may employ at home with her family. If the above 30/. 14s. 4rf. (the annual amount of rent and expenditure at retail prices) be added to the 12/. 5s. 2d. (the surplus of the labourer's and his wife's earnings), it makes 42/. 19s. 6d., which is equal to I6s. 6d. a week. So that with the privileges above enumerated, enjoyed by the Devonshire labourer, his wages of 7s. a week, and his wife's of 3s. are equal to 16s. 6d. without such privi- leges. Let us compare the prices of the articles above specified, with the prices they would bear in Kent and about London, COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 53 which, at the most moderate computationj would be as follow : — £ s. d. 365 quartern loaves, at 1 J 15 4 2 300 lbs. of bacon, at 9c/ 11 5 Cottage 2 10 Potatoes, 91i bushels 4 10 Firing 3 11 6 Vegetables 3 3 Stockings 1 11 Eggs 8 £42 2 8 This will be the lowest annual cost of house, firing, food, and stockings for a man with a wife and five children, in the county of Kent, provided they eat wheaten bread and purchase by retail. If then, to this sum of 42Z. 2s. 8c/. you add the sum which the Devonshire labourer receives, viz. 12^. 5s. 2d., it will make 54^. 7s. 10c/. or \l. Os. lie/, per week. It is hence clear, that where such privileges have not been allowed in the recently disturbed districts, and where 9i-. or 10s. a week have been paid to the labourer, and even now where they receive 12s. or 14s., the situation of the mere labourer is not equal to that of ihc North Devon peasant. L.4B0URERS' ALLOTMENTS AT EPPING, &c. [Extracted froji a Letter hy our esteemed ^'ICE- President, INIONTAGU Ul'RGOYNE, Esfi.] I AM just come to this place for the purpose of regulating an establishment I have formed of a School of Industry for boys and girls, with allotments of land for the labouring poor, and with gardens for those children who are recommended by tlic master for their regular attendance and good behaviour at school. Half the day is occupied in reading and writing, and the other half in works of labour and industry. The gardens are dunged and crept for the boys. They keep them clean themselves, and at the ensuing Michaelmas they have half the produce. If one boy works for another, he is paid one half-penny an hour. . In bad weather, they are taught to mend their own clothes and shoes. The whole system is fully explained in three editions of an Address I have published, dedicated to the governors and directors of the public charity schools, who have had the libera- lity to acknowledge many of the defects, and approve of the 54 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. remedies suggested, by subscribing to the support of this estab- lishment. This publication may be had at Rivingtons' and other booksellers. But my chief reason for addressing you is, to inform you that I have this day met with a full confirmation of my opinion, that the best, and I believe the only method of bettering the condition, and indeed the morals of the labouring poor, is to provide them with small allotments of land, v.'hich give them an interest in the soil and encourage them to work for themselves, at times when they are not wanted by their employers. I am afraid to mention the many instances I have met with of the idle being made industrious — the drunken, sober — and the profligate and factious, moral and content. I hope I may be entitled to credit when I acquaint you, that in the month of April last, I formed at this place twenty-two allotments, some a rood and some half a rood. The whole was dunged. The plough excluded, but the spade went deep. My wish was to have half in corn and half in vegetables; but the season being far advanced, I consented to the greater part being cropped with potatoes, and at Michaelmas half will be sown with wheat. My rules and conditions are nearly the same as those mentioned by the most benevolent Peer near Saffron Walden, who with the same success has practised this system to the number of 920 persons. Since the allotments have been pro- vided for these twenty-two men, who pay a fair rent for what they cultivate, they have been left entirely to themselves. I therefore this day approached them with some degree of appre- hension ; but, to my unspeakable satisfaction, I found these allotments superior to any thing I had seen, — the crops luxu- riant, and not a weed to be seen. The spot is only forty-seven miles from London, and I challenge the metropolis and the three counties for which this establishment is Ibrmed to come and see whether I speak truth. But the improvement is not confined to the field. It may be seen in their domestic abodes, and their attendance at Divine worship. ALLOTMENTS AND SMALL FARMS, AT MILTON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. [From Mr John Denson.] About three miles from Cambridge, on the road to Ely, stands the parish of Milton, a neat little country village. The soil of the land thereto belonging is a light, gravelly loam, which on an average proportion at the present price of produce, is worth less by one pound per acre per year than the high land of the parish wherein I reside. The whole of the land belonging COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. o5 to Milton, including the manor, is not more than 1200 acres; now I pray you markj open your eyes and your ears! — on this small portion of land there are not less than ten farms, the largest of which, I believe (for I am not certain), does not con- tain more than 100 acres : smaller portions of from a rood to perhaps eight or ten acres, are in the possession of individuals. Two of the farms are in the occupation of farmers of Water- beach ; and another portion of land is occupied by one or more persons at Landbeach: notwithstanding which deduction, the residue is fully maintaining in comfort a population of three or four hundred souls, and pays a rent of from 21. to 41. an acre!! and three hundred a year in direct taxes!!! — yet there is no redundant population, and though not less than ten families get their bread by husbandry, and reside in the parish, that do not belong to it, not one man who is able to do any thing is out of employ at this the deadest season of the year. Doubtless the farmers of this village, as well as of others, feel the pressure of the times, and, at the present price of agricultural produce, will be unable to retain possession of their farms unless something is done for their relief; but I ask, what would be the situation of this parish, if one person were to occupy the whole? Such a course would immediately reduce nine-tenths of its population to beggary, deprive the government of more than one half of the taxes (direct and indirect) it now pays, compel half of its beggared inhabitants to seek a living elsewhere — either in other parishes, or by committing depredations on the public ; the landlord would receive little more than half the rent he now receives for the land, which owing to the mode of farming his estate, would in twenty years be reduced to half its present value. If there be one scourge greater than another, the greatest that can afflict an agricultural nation is the occupation of the soil by a few persons. LAND OCCUPIED BY MANUFACTURING WORKMEN. [From a Corresfokdent.] In the manufacturing county to which I belong, the system of letting garden-ground to the frame-work knitters, who form the bulk of the manufacturers there, is extending itself, much to the comfort and satisfaction of such workmen. The gardens are from two to four hundred of ground. The average quantity of potatoes raised from a hundred such ground as I have al- lotted for spade cultivation may be stated at nine strikes and a half. — One acre contains forty such hundreds j ecjual to the o() COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. consumption of nineteen families, consisting of man, wife, and three children each; on an average nineteen strikes for a family. The difference of consumption in such families is from seven- teen to twenty-two strikes, influenced by the varying state of employment in their trade, which enables them to procure more or less of animal food, cheese, bread, &c. I have allotted from two to four hundred of such garden-ground this year, and pro- mised the ensuing to all applicants in these populous parishes adjoining my residence. The most intelligent and fit individual of such gardeners, if I may call them so, is in each parish selected to overlook the rest. One shilling per hundred, as described, will be the rent next year, (it is now a trifle more,) that rent and the manure must be laid down before occupation is permitted. — The inspector, as above, reports the state of the gardens, during the summer, ''weeded or no^" and if the occupier, on notice given, neglects and refuses to weed, he is not allowed to occupy another year. In all the neighbouring villages, milk is easily procured, as small occupiers rent land for the purpose of selling milk. During last winter, able-bodied agricultural labourers in Lei- cestershire, received twelve shillings a week. I had none at less wages. The average earnings of the frame-work knitters were seven shillings and sixpence, clear of out-goings; those of lace- inen, called " twist-hands," from fifteen shillings and sixpence to nineteen shillings a week. THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM DEFENDED. [By A Landowner.] _Tii_E_ Allotment System depends for its adoption solely on individuals, and on that account it is requisite that a ri"-ht understanding should prevail on the subject, for we cannot expect that it will be generally practised until the good that is likely to result from it is generally admitted ; and yet it appears that the true merits of this question are as little understood as they are earnestly insisted on. Liasmuch as it depends on individuals for its adoption, this plan differs from all other plans proposed for the attainment of the same end. Emio-ra- tion, home colonization, alteration of the poor-laws, andiron- admission of Irish labourers, all require the aid of the legis- lature ; this plan not only does not require such aid, but will not admit of interference on the part of government. Tliis plan, moreover, is independent of all others, and may be acted on in COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 57 conjunction with llieni or not, and the advantai^e derivable; from it will be in addition to those derived from other sources. Neither is it necessary to wait and see what government intend doing, before we adopt this plan ; it requires only to be tho- roughly understood in order to be generally practised, and the sooner this is effected the better. Ihe experiment of allotting land to cottagers, has been made in several instances, and with various success ; but on the Avhole I am disposed to think it has not answered the sanguine expectations of its projectors. The failure, if failure there be, may be attributed to the limited view taken of the question by all parties concerned. Both by landlord and cottager it has been looked on in the light of an eleemosynary system;* land has been allotted to the cottager at less than its market value, and in proportion to his family; premiums have been given for the best cultivated allot- ments and the largest produce ; and possibly a shilling has been thrown back if the rent has been paid to ilie day. All this is very charitable, and the cottager will doubtless be benefitted by it, but only at the expense of his independence. The nature of the grant implies, that as his need of it dimi- nishes, his rent will be raised, or the land taken from him and given to a more necessitous neighbour. It affords no adequate encouragement to industry and habits of frugality, for he feels the insecurity of the tenure by which he occupies his land, and the probability that as soon as he becomes independent of the world, it will be taken from him. In fact, the scriptural adage is departed from in this case, viz. " that to him that hath shall be given, and to him that hath not shall be taken away that he hath." Neither can the svstem as thus constituted be acted on generally; the parties to it, landlord and tenant, are not mutu- ally interested in upholding it ; it is a contract on which all the advantage is on one side; benevolent individuals will have recourse to it, and by doing so, will lessen the burden of the poor-rates on their more selfish neighbour; but al)sentee pro- prietors, whose estates are managed by agents, and who do not personally witness the distress of the lower orders, as well as all those who consider land merely as a desirable investment for capital, will abstain from it. The Bishop of Bath and V.'clls has l)cen in the habit of allot- ting land to cottagers, for many years past, at "/air " rents, and he speaks in high terms of tlie success which has attended his measure; but one observation made by him in his j)amphlct * This is not tlic plan advocated by the Labourers' Friend Society, wliicli wbile it deprecates every tbiii;^ in the shape of eleemosynary aid, would raise the labourer above its iiccessity. 58 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. lately publislied, furnishes a sufficient reason why this example, though pretty generally known, has not been followed. He describes his plan, and adds, " during the continuance of my episcopate, they are secure of their tenancy :" thus implying that the "fair" rent he speaks of is not the market value of the lands. The overseers of Saffron Walden, in Essex, have adopted it extensively, and in their published report speak of its success as beyond their expectations; still the eleemosynary feature of the system is retained to a certain degree, and this must pre- vent its ultimate adoption. Lord Braybrooke, indeed, in a letter attached to the Saftron Walden report, clearly admits of the necessity of the principle of mutual advantage in any general scheme of the sort, but approves of a deviation from it in a first attempt. I believe it has been satisfactorily proved by experience, that good deep land, occupied by the cottager in half-acre portions, and cultivated by the spade, may be made to grow wheat and potatoes alternately, without suffering deterioration ; if so, the produce will be to the full double that arising from the same land cropped according to the four-course husbandry. It has also been satisfactorily proved, that after deducting from the produce of land farmed as above, sufficient to defray the ex- pence of seed and outgoings, including a rent equal to that paid by the large farmer for similar land, there will remain, in ordi- nary seasons, a sum which, divided by the number of days re- quired for tilling the half acre, gives from five to seven shillings per day; and tliis will be the daily amount of wages earned by the labourer while so employed. This being the case, I shall not be far from the truth in assert- ing, that tlie cottager can and will pay more rent for his half acre than the large farmer. Now, do away with the eleemosy- nary part of the system, and what have we ? Land let at its market value at a greater rent than that paid by the large farmer, — owner and occupier mutually benefitted, and desirous of con- tinuing the contract — and this acted on generally throughout the country — the cottager becomes a yeoman, and stands in the same relation to his landlord as the other tenants ; is raised in his own estimation, and elevated in the scale of society, and is so far rendered independent as to have a voice in fixing the wages of his labour, the power of doing which has, of late years, owing to the superabundant supply of labour and the necessities of the labourer, been exclusively in the hands of the employer. I shall be met by the objection, that the poor do not possess capital enough to take and do justice to half an acre of land : I believe in the main the objection is a valid one, but still I COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 59 think the system may be introduced gradually. For instance, there are in all parislies a few persons, such as the blacksmith, the wheelwright, the carpenter, the parisli clerk, and the sexton, who would be able and willing to take half an acre of land at a rent one fourth greater than that paid by the large farmer, and woidd be bound to cultivate it by the spade and to crop it ac- cording to covenant. A great portion of the labour expended on their allotments consists in digging up the stubble land for potatoes, and is done during the winter, when the demand for labour is slack, and the farmers are glad to get rid of their men; and so much labour is therefore abstracted from the general supply, and the wages of labour are consequently raised, and the rest of the labouring community benefited. The suc- cess which would probably attend these persons, and the superior degree of comfort enjoyed by them, would induce others to save and scrape together all that they could, in order to obtain similar advantages; and in a few years the peasantry of England would be all installed in these small occupations, and possess, what they do not now possess, an interest in the soil and a stake in the country. In the meantime habits of industry and frugality would be created and maintained, and each indi- vidual, as he successively obtained his allotment, would abstract from the market a certain portion of the supply of labour, pro- bably not less in amount than the increase daily accruing from increased population. The limit to which this state of things wotdd tend, is the ultimate occupation of the whole surface of the country in these small allotments ; a limit which the average recurrence of war, and plague, and pestilence may be safely relied on to avert. Let land then be let to the cottager on the conditions above mentioned, and let it be immediately adjoining his cottage; for 1 estimate the difference in value to him, be- tween its being at his door and at the distance of a mile, at more than twenty shillings per acre. Let the cottager be the imme- diate tenant of the landlord; and let the landlord on his rent day, instead of saying to his tenant, " Well, John, you have cultivated your land well, and have kept your family from the poor-rates ; I shall allow you to go on another year; and as you have paid your rent to the day, here is a shilling for you to drink ;" — instead of this, let him him say, " Well, John, I con- sider myself fortunate in having so good a tenant as yourself, and I am obliged by the punctuality with which you fulfil your contract with me, and I trust you have no intention of leaving me. There is a round of beef in the next room ; pray do jus- tice to it." This is the treatment the peasantry of England must meet with at the hands of their superiors, if we would have them their country's pride. GO COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. THE SYSTEM IN OPERATION AT CRANFIELD. [From the Rev. James Beard.] Sir, Cranfield Rectory, Woburn, Sept. 11, 1831. Four years since, I strongly expressed my sentiments at a meeting of this parish that I called, for the purpose of endea- vouring to obtain some common land from the farmers for the employment of the labourers in spade-husbandry ; they all con- sented, save one, that is 23 out of 24 gave up their right of pas- turage upon this land, but this individual put a complete impe- diment to the cultivation of the land. When the excitement amongst the labourers in December last was great, I called another meeting : and being warmly supported by the parish, I again brought ibrward the measure; and, I am happy to say, the individual who resisted the measure before withdrew his opposition ; consequently it was agreed upon that the common land adjoining the village, about 18 acres, should be divided into roods and half-roods, and rented at about 4s. per rood. The whole was allotted, 1 think, in February; and to look at the cultivation now, must be pleasing to the most indifferent person. The whole, about 18 acres, I am convinced, was not worth more than 3/. per annum, and it now lets at 16s, per acre. As there was some little outlay requisite, connected with fencing, &c. I advanced the money, and by way of stimulating the labourers I gave 126 spades away ; that is, a spade to every man that cultivated land. Of course there were diversities of opinion in the country upon the subject; some asserted that the labourers were idle (which I have always denied most stre- nuously) and would not cultivate it ; others said, that if it were taken the land would be only half tilled, and no rent paid ; but in contradiction to this, I may say that I never saw land better cultivated, and I have little doubt but that the rent will be punctually paid in ()ctober. I have omitted to say that the land is, at IGs. per acre, free from rates, taxes, and tithe. I have taken the liberty of inclosing a list of the Rules * under which they hold the land, and 1 have selected six farmers to act as a committee: tliere is another piece of common land in the parish similarly situated, and I hope to get it as soon as the * The Rules refened to by our correspondent will be found in the Appen- dix, at the end of the volume. \\c take the present o))portunity of slating our opinion that (particularly at the commencement) the fewer and simpler the rules the better. It is known that they create susjiicion, especially where the labourer has not experienced the advantage to be derived. Tlie landlord lias always the power to exi)el a bad tenant. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. Gl bill, which is now before the house, passes. My mind has long been made up regarding the employment of the poor in agri- cultural districts — it must be upon the soil, — it is the only natural and legitimate source ; but I am sorry to add, that I have too often seen a feeling in the farmer to stop this beneficial system, although he would be so essentially benefited in the reduction of his poor-rates. I cannot enter fully into the ques- tion upon paper, but I beg to say that I shall only be too happy to have my name added to the list of subscribers, and any information that I can give to the assistance of the Society I shall always be ready to contribute. INCLOSURE OF EPPING FOREST RECOMMENDED. [Bi- Montague Bubgovne, Esq.] Epping, Sept. 7th, 1831. I AM visiting every part of this extensive forest, which contains above 12,000 acres, of which 3,278 are the property of the crown. There are twenty parishes either wholly or partly within this forest : I have visited them all, in order to qualify myself for answering any objections which can be brought against the inclosing a considerable part of this forest (or I may say forests) for the occupation of tlie ])oor, as the part called Ilainault is detached from that which is called Waltham. In my tour, I find all my former oj)inions fully confirmed, and am prepared to redeem the pledge 1 have given, of proving, that if the spots to be inclosed are properly selected, and judiciously inclosed, the interest of every person concerned in these forests, from the king to the peasant, will be considerably benefited, without sacrificing any part of their comforts and amusements. I find a general wish among tlie labouring jjoor to have a small portion of land which they may cultivate by spade husbandry for the provision of their family; and I find an equal desire among the parish officers, that a few acres should be entrusted to them, on which they may employ their poor in the manner they find best, according to their own discretion. The com- plaint of the pressure of the poor-rates is general ; but where allotments of land are provided for lite labouring poor, they are considerably alleviated. In the parish of Loughton, forty-eight allotments are given to tlie j)Oor, at a very small rent, by the benevolent minister of that parish ; the labouring poor are here happy and content, none wanting work ; the poor-rates 2s. Qd. in the pound ; whilst at Thoydon Bois, a parish almost in sight of Loughton, having no allotments of land, they arc Qs. at a 62 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. rack rent, and llie poor miserable and discontented. In almost all the parishes I visited, I found that applications for work were far more numerous than the parish officers could find : espe- cially ill the winter, and the overseers apprehend great difficulty in employing them during the approaching winter, for they have none but artificial unnecessary work to offer them; employing six men when two would be sufficient. ADVANTAGE OF A COW TO THE LABOURER. [From a Correspondent.] G. Copper, labourer to J. Ingram, Esq., being employed upon his farm at Rottingdean, applied to know what he was to do, as he had a wife and family of six children whom he was not able to support. He had applied to the parish for relief, and was refused it, in consequence of his having a father, who was possessed of property to some amount. I told him that if he kept a cow, I thought he might do very well without relief. I inclosed a piece of land for him, opposite his cottage, about half an acre, with a flint wall, built a cow-lodge and pig-pound, and a small dairy. The half acre of land was in good condition, and sown with lucern and oats, in the spring. I found the cow, and ran any risk, as to calving, &c. G. C. pays me 51. 5s. a year for the cow and land, and as he has more manure than is required for the half-acre, I allow him every year to plant potatoes in my wheat season, about 30 rods, which have produced from 80 to 90 bushels, which, with the assistance of a good garden, a part of which is planted with cabbages, finds everything for the cow, except hay and straw, Avhich he purchases of me at the market price. The calf has brought in something more than 41. and by selling the milk at 4d. per quart, he has brought up his family without raiy relief from the parish. The cow gives generally about 12 quarts of milk: half of which was usually sold, and the remainder made into butter, or used for the family and pig. His regular wages were as follow : — Day work, 2s. — Thrashing oats. Is. 9d. per quarter. — Do. wheat, 4s. — Do. barley, 2s. 3J.— Trussing wheat-straw. Is. 6d. per load of 56 trusses. — Barley or oats, Is. 8d. — Raising chickens, 4d. each. — Eggs, dd. per dozen. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 63 EXPERIENCE OF LORD CARNARVON. Grosvenor Square. His Lordship, in a letter to the Secretary of the Labourers' Friend Society, writes thus: — I have been pursuing actively the plan which was the subject of a former correspondence between us ; and in a parish in Wiltshire, of which I am the principal proprietor, I have very nearly arrived at the point at which every cottager will be the occupant of a sufficient portion of good land to raise potatoes, corn, &c., for his family, and enough to fatten his pig ; they seek this occupation with avidity, and pay their rents regularly. In Hampshire, I am following the same object, though on poorer land ; and in a country where the poor are more demo- ralized by the bread-money system, and are less uniformly dis- posed to endeavour to obtain independence by tlieir own ex- ertions. I regret to say, I find great indisposition in the far- mer to give up the least portion of land for this purpose, even where they are farming to a loss. Some say, the poor labour so hard in their allotments, after their hours of work, as to be less able to do a good day's work for the farmer on the following day, forgetting how much more labour a man can perform who is well fed and clothed, and possessed of comfort and compe- tence. Unhappily, though different reasons are assigned, there is the greatest indisposition in the farmers to give any assist- ance. Had this plan been ado{)ted universally in the south of England, much of the distress and consequent discontent would have been averted. Caunarvox. ABJECT STATE OF THE POOR AT LIDLINGTON. [Evidence of the IIev. .Tajiks Beard, of the County of Bedford, a resident at Cranfield — Extracted from the Report of the Lords' Committee on the Poor Laws.] "The population of the parish is about 1350, and the num- ber of acres in it about 4000 ; about two-thirds arable ; about one-fourth part of the persons being unemployed in the dead of the winter; when they are employed by the parish in digging gravel and taking care of the roads. Vviien employed by the parish, the married men with families receive 8s. per week — a single man, until this last week, 3a'. — 3s. 6d. and finally 4s." On being asked, what proportion of able-bodied labourers were 64 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. out of employment last year, the reverend gentleman answered, " I should think, from the month of November to the end of January, nearer 30 than 20 out of 130." Question. Have you adopted any means of providing em- ployment for those labourers? — Answer. I liave endeavoured to do it. Question. State the circumstances under which you have done it. — Answer. My parish is an open field parish, and we have 70 or 80 acres of g-rass common land on it. Three years ago, I called the parishioners together, being very anxious to put part of this into cultivation for the benefit of tlie poor, and the relief of the parish. Out of 24 occupiers, 23 agreed ; but the 24th having the power of turningiiis stock in, he declared he would, and of course put a complete slop to everything of spade-husbandry. However, last week I called the parish together, and there was the same unanimity, and that individual did not disagree. The married labourers have now got a rood of land each allotted to them, and the single men half a rood, at the rate of IOa'. an acre. Question. To work for the parish, or to work on their own account? — Answer, On their own account, under certain rules. Question. Is it intended to make advances to the labourers, to enable them to cultivate their land ?— Answer. I have done it myself, individually, out of my own pocket; that is to say, I have advanced 20Z. towards fencing the land, and given every man a new s[)ade.* . Question. Can you state any particulars as to the employment of labourers on the roads in the parish of Kempston ? — Answer. The last year, in the mere gravel-digging, that parish expended 750/. ; and I am sure I am not saying too much when I state, I could get the same gravel dug for 50/. Question. Are there many labourers and their families who existed previously to the last three weeks on Is. lOcl. per head? — Answer. Last Wednesday I went, according to the direc- tion of the Lord Lieutenant, to swear in special constables. I met ten farmers, whom I swore in ; they had brought 74 labourers also to be sworn in. Upon tlie labourers being asked at the door, they would not come in. I went out to them, and asked them the reason : they said they wanted food ; upon which I selected four of the most intelligent of the party. I asked them to go into a private room. I inquired the character » See p. CO. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 6C of the men from the farmers : and they said they were very honest and industrious men. Ihev gave me the earnings ot themselves, tlieir wives, and their children ; they did not quite come to 2s. per head per week for the four families; they were the best and most industrious labourers in the parish. I went in to the farmers, and told them it was morally impossil)le to expect those labourers to go on at that rate of wages, and I trusted they would not think me unreasonable in begging of them to give them 2s. 6c/. per head per week ; that is to say, a married labourer to have 9s. a single man of twenty, Gs. per ■week ; a single man of eighteen, 5s. per week ; that if a married labourer has 9s. and has two or three children, they would make it up 2s. 6d. per head; if there were six of them, that would be 15s. per week. The farmers having consented, I went out to the labourers, and spoke to them ; and I never saw a body of people so thankful in my Ife. This is the parish of Lidlington. Question. You stated that many of the men are employed on the road in some of the parishes in your neighbourhood ; are they so employed for the purpose of giving them employment, or because the roads require that number to repair? — Answer. Merely to keep them employed. Question. Are you acquainted with any parish where land has been cultivated by the spade by the poor for any consider- able time? — Answer. The Duke of Bedford has a parish about seven miles from me, in which he has kindly allotted a quantity of land to the poor for two years. Question. Can you state what the effect of that allotment has been ? — Answer. Exceedingly beneficial to the poor. Question. What is the general food of the labourers in your part of the country ? — Answer. Nothing but bread. Question. What have they to drink ? — Answer. Water. To a question respecting cottage rents, tlie reverend gentle- man replied that " nothing oppresses the labourer more than the present price of cottage rents." As population has increased, the cottages have not increased in number so much, and there- fore there has been a demand for them. SUCCESSFUL RESULT AT WOBURN. [TuoM THE Rev. James Beaud.] Cranfield Rectory, Wobiiin, Beds October -29, 1^32. In September last, I wrote to you relative to some common land that I had induced the farmers in this parish to give up for the i- 66 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. purpose of spade husbandry. On the 1 1th of October, accord- ing to the first rule, they came to pay their rents, and singular to say, out of 133 occupiers there was not a single defaulter. The land, which was not worth 31. in the state it was in before then, no doubt has grown about 300Z. worth of produce, which of course must materially benefit the labourers; and the next year the soil will be in a far better state of cullivation. Every day the labourers seem more anxious to obtain land, and I have no doubt that if it were more generally brought into their occu- pation, the owners as well as occupiers would soon find the state of the labouring classes greatly improved, and consequently good order and mutual good feeling would increase. WANTAGE SOCIETY FOR PROVIDING THE POOR WITH LAND. [From the Ri Key WORTH.] Tins Society commenced its operations last April; about four acres of land were then engaged at the cost of 3/. 12s. per acre, including rates, &c. these were parted into about 33 allot- ments of 20 poles each, and applications invited, which issued in 111 individuals giving in their names. These drew lots for the portions of land, engaging to pay 9s. for each allotment, half to be due at Midsummer, and half on the first of Septem- ber; the result has fully answered the hopes of the Society. Each allotment has on an average produced at least 16 sacks of potatoes, which, at 45. per sack (a price far less than the poor pay on an average through the winter and spring, when pur- chasing them by the peck,) amount to 3/. 4s. the total gross amount therefore of benefit to the occupiers on the 33 allot- ments cannot be reckoned less than lOOZ. The average of five inspections of the land, at different periods, shews that 18 of the occupiers have cultivated the land well, 6 rather better than ivell, and 6 better still ^ 4 middling, and 1 badly. Encouraged by these pleasing results, the committee have just engaged 14 acres and a half of land for the ensuing year ; these have been divided into 116 allotments of 20 poles each ; but such was the number and anxiety of the applicants to obtain portions of the land, that it was found necessary to divide 22 of the allotments into pieces of 10 poles each, by which means 142 individuals have been accommodated; and should the 116 allotments prove as productive as those of last spring, the benefit to the occupiers will be above 350Z. ; a result which could scarcely have been anticipated. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. fi? But most important as is the actual advantajj^e thus afforded to 142 persons, most of tliem heads of families, probably in- cluding not fewer than 560 individuals, — an advantage too which costs the Society nothing except a few trifling expences of management, measurement of land, &c. it is little^ compared with the beneficial influence which the extended operation of the plan is likely to have on the minds and conduct of the labouring class of society : instead of brooding in sullen dis- content and despondency over his poverty, the labourer has a little door of hope opened before him. It was delightful during the evenings of last spring to see from 40 to 60 men, women, and children, as busy as bees on the four acres of land. The wife of one of the occupiers was lately heard to say, while busied in putting a cpiantity of pota- toes into the bread she was making, " 'Tis a blessed thing to have plenty of potatoes without buying them ; a bushel used to seem nothing when we had to buy them." We cannot but hope that similar plans will be adopted in many other towns and villages. If two benevolent individuals would in any place agree heartily to pursue the object, and invite the concurrence of such of their neia'hbours as are like minded, they could scarcely fail of suc- ccjjs. — Let them form a committee of management immediately without waiting till land is obtained; and by meeting and con- sulting, the way is almost sure to open. — The present is the most proper season to begin, because the half year of winter is convenient for preparation. Any information wished for will be gladly communicated, if a letter be addressed, post paid, " To the Secretary of llie Land Society, Wantage." MORAL EFFECTS OF THE SYSTExM ON THE HABITS OF THE POOR. In the little town of Brillington, on the coast of Essex, where the people are chiefly employed in the oyster fishery, about twelve years ago, James Barker, esq. mayor of Colchester, who possessed some copyhold land in its vicinity, was induced to dispose of the same," in small portions, at a moderate price, to be paid by instalments, the lots varying in size from 30 rods to perhaps 2^. acres. At the above-mentioned period, the moral and physical circumstances of the parties are described to have 68 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. been of the most wretched description ; their earnings being generally spent at the ale-house, and when the fishing was pros- perous, they never thought of saving any part of their earn- ings ; and in consequence, when the fisliery, being their only resource, in any ways failed, their condition was truly pitiable ; even a profession of religion was scarcely recognised among them, Tlieir abodes were miserable in the extreme; in fact, they could scarcely be said to enjoy the comforts of civilized society. After entering upon their little allotments of land, having been instructed how to manage it to the best advantage, a spirit of emulation sprang up among them. Tliey began to perceive what benefits might be derived from the cultivation of the soil during those hours which formerly had been spent in dissipa- tion, or wasted in idleness. By these means they not merely saved the money wasted in spirituous liquors, but realised a considerable sum by their industry, as well as health from their salutary employment. The Lord's day is now observed by them ; a place of worship has been erected ; and those indivi- duals whose feet never before trod the floor of a place of worship, now rejoice at the sound of a church-going bell ; a day-school has been established, in which, as well as in a Sun- day-school, their children are trained to industry, virtue, and religion. They are now comparatively neat and clean in their persons, their houses exhibit a greatly improved system of do- mestic economy ; and it is a delightful scene to those who knew them thirteen years ago, to see them on an evening busily occupied in their little plots, and vying with each otlier who shall produce the best crops of cabbages, potatoes, grain, &c. and who can rear the finest pigs. It might be mentioned farther, that a flour-mill has been erected, the bricks for which, as also for the place of worship, were generously afforded by the worthy proprietor of the soil at less than prime cost. SINGULAR MODE OF CULTIVATION. (From an Account of a Cottager's Cultivation in Shropshire, bt Sir William Pulteney, Bakt. ) Within two miles and a half of Shrewsbury, Richard Mill- wood, a collier, has a dwelling, and adjoining it a garden and land, making about one acre and one sixteenth, including the garden. It was formerly taken from PuUy common, since divided and inclosed. Tlie management of the ground is in a COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 09 great measure left to his wife ; they have six children : five boys and one girl. The ground, when inclosed long ago, was a thin covering of about three or four inches of strong loam, over :i clay impregnated with iron, called in Shropshire " catbrain," and considered as the worst soil. It is now changed, but the original soil is still to be seen in the adjoining parts of wliat was the common. They pay 35, of yearly rent for the house and land ; it was leased to them thirly-eight years ago by tlic pre- sent Lady Malpes, for three lives, one of which is dead. The wife has managed the ground in a particular manner for thirteen years with potatoes and wheat, chiefly by her own labour, and in a way which has yielded good crops ; of late, rather superior to the produce of the neighbouring farms, and with little or no expence ; she has improved her mode of cul- ture during the last six years. The potatoe and wheat land, exclusive of the garden, con- tains sixty-four poles, eight yards square to the pole, seventy- five of which make an acre, and is divided into two parts, the one in thirty, the other thirty- four roods. One of tlie divisions she plants alternately with potatoes, and the other is sown with wheat. On the wheat-stubble she plants potatoes in rows, and sows wheat on the potatoe ground : she puts dung at the bottom of the rows where she plants potatoes, but uses no dung for the wheat; and she has repeated this succession for nearly the thirteen years, but with better success and more economy during the last six or seven. She provides manure by keeping a pig, and by collecting all the manure she can from her house, mix- ing with it the scrapings of the roads, &c. She forms it in a heap, and turns it before she puts it in the ground for potatoes. The ground is dug for potatoes in the month of IMarcli and April, to the depth of about nine inches. This digging would cost sixpence per pole, if hired. After putting in the dung, the potatoes are planted in rows, about twelve or fourteen inches distant. The sets are placed about four or five inches apart in the rows, and it takes a great many days to plant the whole, generally ten days. Her husband always assists in digging, after his hours of ordinary labour. \\'hen the potatoes come above ground the weeds are destroyed by the hoe, and the earth laid up on both sides of the shoots ; and this is repeated from lime to time as the season requires. Hand weeding is also used when necessary. In October when the potatoes are ripe, she takes off all the stalks or haidm of the potatoes, which she causes to produce 70 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. manure by means of her pig. She now goes over the whole with a rake, and takes off all weeds, and before taking up the potatoes, she sows her wheat on as much of the ground as she can clear of the potatoes that day. They are taken up with a three- pronged fork, in which her husband assists, and by the same operation, the wheat-seed is covered deep. She leaves it quite rough, and the winter frost mellows the earth, and by the earth faUing down, it adds much strength and vigour to the wheat- plants in the spring. Her crops of v/heat have been of late always good, and even while this county has not been favourable for the wheat-crop, she has thrashed out fifteen Winchester bushels from her thirty-four poles, though part of her wheat has suflfered by the mildew. The average of wheat in moderate years to her near neighbours, is twenty-eight Winchester bushels per acre ; which is more than the general average of the county. The straw of her wheat she carefully preserves for litter to her pig and to increase her manure. When her potatoes are gathered, she separates tlie best for use, then a proper quan- tity for next year's seed, and the small sort are given to her pig. She has sixteen poles for Jier garden, upon which she plants peas, beans, and a part with cabbages; but has early potatoes and turnips the same year on the same ground. She sells her early potatoes, and peas, and cabbages, at Shrewsbury, and boils the turnips for her pig. The only other expence of feed- ing her pig, is two or three bushels of peas, and when fit to kill it weighs about three hundred pounds. She buys it at the age of fouV or five months, about the month of February, audit is killed about the month of January the following year. When she first began this method of alternate crops, and for several years after, she depended on the neighbouring farmers for ploughing the land, and liarrowing, both for the potatoes and the wheat; but as the farmers naturally delayed to work for her until their own work was chiefly over, her land was not ploughed in proper time or season. She has been now for the last six years, independent of the farmer?, and the planting the potatoes, and the mode of taking them up, is sufficient to pre- pare the land for wheat, which she generally sows herself about the middle of October, being carefnl to sow no more land at a time than she can clear of potatoes that day. Observations on the above ey the Editor of the Reports of the Society FOR Bettering the Condition of the Poor. This mode of culture proves, that both potatoes and wheat can be produced alternately upon the same land, for a long course of years, provided that a small quantity of manure be every year used for the potatoes. — Both wheat and potatoes have been reckoned in the class of exhausting crops ; but this COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 71 mode of culture shows that great crops of both may be alter- nately produced, which may probably be imputed to the culture of the spade and hoc, to the manuring every second year for potatoes, to the careful destroying of weeds, to the planting and sowing in the proper season, and to the preventing the earth from being too loose, by the mode of sowing the wheat before the potatoes are taken up. An experienced farmer is of opinion, that the same culture and succession of crops will answer on almost any land, if pro- perly drained and skilfully managed ; for that, although strong land does not answer well for potatoes, nor very light land for wheat, yet that cultivation and manure, and particularly the manure of lime, will soon render strong land, when drained, more loose, and will make light land more firm, especially if cultivated with the spade and hoe. PAROCHIAL EXPERIMENT OF THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM. Extracted from ax Account of Meastofs adopted to better the Condition of the Poor at Long Newnton, in the countv of Wilts. By Thomas Estcoubt, Esq. TiiK parish of Long Newnton contains 140 poor persons of all ages, divided into 42 families, chiefly employed as labourers in husbandry. In the year 1800, an idea suggested itself that these poor people would voluntarily exchange their claims to parochial relief for any other aid suitable to their hal)its, that ■would yield, with their labour, a better prospect of procuring the common domestic comforts of life. They were frequently consulted on the subject, and were informed that it was anxiously desired to remove them, if possible, out of the reach of the recurrence of distresses similar to those they had lately felt ; that they should be furnished with the means, if they would make a proper use of them ; that it should be at their own option to accept the offer that would be made them, or not; but they were advised to make an efhart to extricate themselves from that depth of extreme poverty into which theij ivere sunk. It was then proposed that each cottager, on his application fur the same, should become tenant of a small quantity of aral)le land, under proper restrictions, and at a fair rent ; but that no person should be allowed to occupy more than the family of such person could cultivate without interfering with liis usual labour, nor more than he could procure manure to keep in a state of high fertility; that the largest families shoidd not there- fore occupy more than one acre and a half; the smaller families COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. less in proportion as their numbers were fewer, and not likely to increase. That the rent of the land shall be at the rate of £l 12s. per acre. — That one-fourth part of the land in each person's occupation should annually be well manured in rotation, and planted with potatoes ; that the remainder should be managed as the tenant should think proper, except that no person should have two exhausting crops of corn (viz. wheat, barley, oats, or rye), successively. That the land should be forfeited to the landlord if not cultivated and manured as above-mentioned ,- or, if the tenant should be lawfully convicted of felony, or any other offence against the law, for which he would be liable to a fine or imprisonment. That it should also be forfeited, if the tenant should receive any relief from the poor-rates, except medical assistance, and except such relief as the family of any tenant should receive under the authority of any law relating to the militia, or any other act of parliament that might afterwards pass of a similar description, for the defence of the country. That the land should be granted, if required, for a term of fourteen years; but the lease or agreement should be void, by either party giving the other three years notice of such avoidance. This was the offer made to them. They entered warmly into the idea : promised every possible exertion on their part to give it success ; and all accepted the offer, except two widows with numerous families of young children, and four very old infirm persons without families, who had not then courage to make the experiment. The high price of provisions at that time, notwithstanding they had a very liberal allowance from the poor-rate, had ran them so much in debt for the common necessaries of life (chiefly for bread) that, it being deemed essential to their success that they should be freed from these incumbrances, money was advanced on loan amongst them, in proportion to their wants, amounting to the sum of £44. At Lady-day 1801, each person entered on the first part, or one-third of the land allotted to him ; at Lady-day 1802, they entered on one-third more; and at Lady-day 1803, on the remainder. The great effect this easy mode of supplying their wants has already produced in their habits, morals, manners, and con- COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 73 dition, will be best proved by a statement of a few facts that have resulted from it. The only persons who have received any relief from the ])0or-rate of ihc parish, since Michaelmas 1801, are the four intiiin persons before mentioned, (two of whom are since dead,) and the two widows with large families. The two widows, rather than go with their families to a work- house, have since requested to be put on a footing with their neighbours ; and they also have received no relief since Michaelmas, 1803, when their first crop came into use. — One of them has six, the other eight, small children, the eldest not twelve years of age. No person has forfeited his land; but three single men have asked leave to resign theirs, being able to subsist very well by their labour.* Except these, they have all strictly and cheerftdly adhered to every part of the agreement by which the land is held. There is one circumstance particu- larly gratifying, observing on the operation of this plan, which is, that those pei'sons who have the largest families and were the heaviest charge to the parish, are those who seem to set the highest value upon their land and cultivate it with the greatest assiduity, and therefore the most anxious to avoid in future doing any act by which it would be forfeited. This may arise from the pleasure the parents feel in seeing their numerous children well provided with everycomfort requisite to health and subsistence, independent of every one but themselves, and a source of happiness, instead of anxiety and dispute. Fruitful seasons, and a neat garden-cultivation of the land, have hitherto rendered it highly productive. Great attention is paid to collecting manure, of which every one is able to pro- vide amply for the land he occupies: the hoe is actively em- ployed to keep the crops clean from weeds in the summer, by the women and children ; who also perform the greatest part of the harvesting and other labour, except the tillage and car- riage of the produce and manure ; the tillage is partly per- formed by the spade, and is done by the family, or hired. If the land is ploughed, it is done partly by the ploughs of the farmers of the parish, gratis or hired ; the carriage the same, or is sometimes done by a wheel-barrow only. — They have long since discharged the debt of 44/. as well as all other debts, and are so much before-hand with the rest of the world, that it is supposed that it must be some calamity still more severe than they have ever yet been afflicted with, that wonld put them under the necessity of ever applying to the parish again. Some persons have conceived that inconvenience would arise out of this very circumstance, of their being in a better situation * It will borne in mind tli.it the labourers' wages bad not tlien reached tbc point of depression wiiicli i)as of late years been the case. 74 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. of life than formerly — that it would put them above the necessity of labour, and would render them idle, insolent, and immoral ; to which it may be answered, that having given up all claim to parochial relief, they feel themselves obliged to look forward and to provide against occasional distress, which stimulates them to increased industry and economy. Besides which, if with a numerous family, by the occupation of one acre and a half of land only, they can obtain more than a bare subsistence, it must be by very superior exertions and frugality ; and it is not likely that what is so obtained will be spent by the same person in vice and extravagance. In fact, three years ex- perience proves to tlie contrary. The farmers of the parish allow they never had their work better done, their servants more able, willing, civil, and sober; and that their property never was so free from depredation as at present. It may not be improper to mention that no warrant or summons has been issued against any poor person of this parish since the year 1800. Although the keeping a cow has been deemed a very bene- ficial practice to a poor family, yet, as it is attended with some difficulties in certain situations, it may be deemed right not to make it a necessary part of this experiment; but as the poor are frequently discouraged from economical practices on account of not being able to employ to advantage any small sum of money they may save, it was proposed in this case, that if any person could buy a cow, it should be taken into joist (or sack, as it is there called) at 51. 4s. per annum. One of these men has already purchased two cows ; on his wife being asked how he had been able to accomplish it, she answered that her family had always lived the same in times of plenty as they were obliged to do in times of scarcity; and being known to be a prudent, sober, hard-working family, of good character, it is probable they must have been worth money, even during the late time of scarcity, when he was receiving relief from the parish in the same proportion as the otliers. — This circumstance is mentioned here with a view to shew how liable tlie system of relieving the necessities of the poor indis- criminately witli money is to corrupt the morals, and to seduce even the well-disposed into fraudulent habits; an evil, however, which it is to be hoped this plan of rendering a resort to the poor-laws for relief unnecessary is calculated to coun- teract.. The others are mostly looking forward with eagerness to being able to purchase a cow : their only live-stock at present is hogs and poultry. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 75 The reduction in the amount of the poor-rates of the parish, after this plan lias been adopted, may be worth stating; though it is admitted that much must be attributed to the difference in tlie price of provisions at the two periods under mentioned. The amount of the poor-rate, from October 5th, 1800, to April .5th, 1801, the last six months before this plan took effect, was 212^. 16s., of which sum 206/. 8s. was applied to the relief of the poor. The amount of the poor-rate from October .Oth, 1803, to April 5th, 1804, the last corresponding six months was 12/. 6s., of which 4/. 12s. 6d. only was applied to the relief of the poor. They are allowed medical assistance by the parish, and to send for the surgeon when they want him. The amount of the surgeon's bill for the year ending 1804 amounted to 21. 8s. only, which will probably be deemed a sufficient proof that this plan is not injurious health. The 4Z. 12s. 6d. was charged for the maintenance of the two poor old persons before mentioned, who are still living, and are not tenants of any land. ACCOUNT OF A COTTAGE AND GARDEN NEAR TAD CASTER. Two miles from Tadcastcr, on the left hand side of the road to York, stands a beautiful little cottage and garden, that has long attracted the eye of the traveller; the slip of land is exactly a rood, inclosed by a fine quick hedge; and containing the cottage, fifteen apple trees, one green gage, and three wine- sour plum trees, two apricot, and several gooseberry and cur- rant bushes, abundance of common vegetables, and three hives of bees ; being all the apparent wealth of the possessor, whose name is Britton Abbott, and who gave me the following account of himself: — He is now sixty-seven years of age ; at nine years old he went to work with a farmer, and managed so well that before he was twenty-two years of age he had accumulated near 40/.; he then married, and took a little farm of 30/. per year, but before the end of the second year he found it necessary to quit it, having exhausted, in his attempt to thrive upon it, almost all the little property that he had heaped together ; he then fixed in a cottage at Poppleton ; where with two acres of land and his common right he kept two cows ; here he had resided very comfortably a labourer for nine years, and had six children living, when an inclosure of Poppleton took place, and the arrangements made in consequence of it, obliged him to seek a new habitation. 7() COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. He applied to Squire Fairfax, and told him, if he would let him a little piece of ground by the road side he " would show him the fashions on it." After an inquiry into his character, he obtained of Mr Fairfax the ground he now occupies; and, with a little assistance from the neighbours in the carriage of his materials, he built his present house, and planted the garden and the hedge round it, which is a single row of quick, thirty-five years old : he says, he cut it down six times successively when it was young. Mr Fairfax was so much pleased with the progress of his work, and the extreme neatness of his place, that he told him he should be rent free ; his answer deserves to be remembered : •* Now, sir, you have a pleasure in seeing my cottage and garden neat ; and should not other squires have the same plea- sure in seeing the cottages and gardens as nice about them ? The poor would then be happy, and would love them and the place where they lived ; but now every nook of land is to be let to the great farmers, and nothing left to the poor but to go to the parish." Britton Abbott says, he now earns twelve shillings and some- times fifteen shillings and eighteen shillings a week, by hoeing of turnips by the piece, setting quick, and other task work ; he gets from his garden annually about forty bushels of potatoes, besides other vegetables ; and his fruit is worth, in a good year, from 3/. to 41. The history of this man appears to nie to merit attention. At the time of the inclosure of Poppleton, his whole little system of economy and arrangement was at once destroyed ; his house, his garden, his little field taken from him, and all his sources of wealth dried up. With less success in his application for the rood of land, the spot in which his industry was to be exerted, and (injustice to him it must be added, with less energy than he possesses,) he might have gone with his family into a work- house: and from that time have become a burden to the public, instead of being one of its most useful members. Without any parochial aid he has raised six of his seven children to a state of maturity, and has placed them out respectably and comfortably in the world. If the poor do not exert themselves, and have not so much forethought and management as might be wished, the fault is less in them than in the system of our poor laws, and in the manner in which they are executed. Were they properly and universally encouraged to industry and economy, we should find thriving and happy cottagers in every part of the kingdom. Let only a tenth of the money now spent in workhouses, in what is usually called ' the relief of the COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 77 poor,' be applied in assisting and encouraging them to thrive and be biippy in their cottages, the poor's-rates would be lessened, and a national saving made both in labour and food. The labourer is capable of more exertion, and is maintained for less than half the expence in his cottage than in a workhouse; in his cottage he has his family around him ; he has something he can call his own ; has objects to look forward to, and is the master of his own actions. Domestic connexions, property, hope, liberty, — those springs of human action, exist not in a workhouse. USEFUL HINTS AND EXAMPLES. [From Lord Kenyon, (one of our Vice-Presidents) a Landlord of many Cottages.] A cottager's land ought to have garden cultivation ; to this he should, as he may any day, at some part of it, apply his own bodily labour; and, when his family is capable of helping him, theirs also. The capital of the farmer is chiefly the money he pays his labourers ; — that of the cottager is his own labour. The ma- terial on whicli both work is tiie same — land. The increase from that material is, under God's blessing, given according to the amount of capital, or labour, applied to it. This truth is agreeably illustrated by the well-known story of the father, who, on his death-bed, informed his sons that on some part of his farm, at the depth of two spades from the surface, was con- cealed a valuable treasure. Animated with the hope, their careful spades deeply searched every foot of their patrimony. — No rich hoard was, however, exposed by their industry; but in its due season the grateful land returned a golden harvest, which amply repaid them for all their toil, and convinced them of their father's meaning. Well would it be if both cottagers and landowners would heed the moral of the story, and would pro- fitably apply it. The cottagers* rents should not be less than farmer's, other- wise landlords will not feel encouraged ; they should not be higher, otherwise the cottager will have no cause to thank his landlord. In the month of April 1831, the Lord of the Manor of Kelvedon Hatch, Essex, at the solicitation of the respectable inhabitants of that parish, most liberally a])propriated a piece of the common to be allotted to the poor labourers, which they f8 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. hired in 20 rood parcels, at the rate of 24s. per acre. The result has proved most advantageous to the occupiers ; most of them had been accustomed to purchase 20 bushels of potatoes for their families, but they now have 20 bushels to sell. The produce of this piece of land is of itself sufficient to convince the government of the good policy of encouraging the allot- ments of land to the poor all through the kingdom. Without any manure whatever, the crop has been estimated to average between six and eight tons per acre ; the labourer has realised a profit upon every 20 roods (including the labour) of 34«., taking the produce at 40 bushels, the value of Is. per bushel ! after deducting 3s. for rent and 3s. for the sets. Independently of this profit, the land is now in a fine state, part planted with cabbages, &c. &c. THE COTTAGER'S GARDEN. [From a CoRREsroNDENX.] " In a morning's walk," says Mr Keene, of Bath, " I en- tered a cottage, not many miles from this city, and v/as sur- prised to see the kitchen a complete picture of cleanliness and comfort. I asked the matronly inmate a few questions. She lamented with me the distress of the timeSj but she had no regrets of her own ; she only spoke with a feeling heart of the wants and woes of others ; slie was herself in every way happy. Two flitches of bacon graced the sides of the spacious fire- place ; a sack of flour stood on a stool close by, and a noble cut-and-come-again brown loaf was on the table : herself, the picture of neatness and health. I began to think the visions of our rural poets were realised, in this instance, at all events. I I asked the good woman ' What family she had V I now forget the number she stated, but it was large — three or four young- ones. ' I suppose you get good wages?' She replied, 'Our wages are very low.' Would not this puzzle you to imagine how came the flitches of bacon ; the sack of flour; the brown loaf; the furniture; and, as the poet says, ' the clock that clicks behind the door,' with its mahogany shining case, and the moon rising at the top of the dial ? I can only say that it puzzled me. I was, however, in the company of one who had nothing to conceal : one, who was as free to reply as I was to ask; and the mystery was soon completely solved by her shew- ing me an extensive and beautifully cultivated garden, where every useful esculent vegetable was growing in full luxuriance. Here was a numerous family, with only the means of procuring life's necessaries, in comparive happiness. The elder boys were out at work with their father, and the younger ones were at school," COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 7!) ADOPTION OF THE SYSTEM AT SPRINGFIELD, ESSEX. The Rev. A. Pearson, rector of Sprins^field, Essex, has esta- blished a system of garden labour in his parish; and a iieh), of nearly eiglit acres, abutting on the road from Chelmsford to Colchester, has been divided into sixty allotments, of about an eighth of an acre each. These have been severally let to labour- ing men, at a yearly rent of six shillings, inchiding every charge of tithe, rates, &c. The principal stipulations are, that no land shall be underlet, and no buildings be erected, or trees, (except small fruit-trees) be planted ; — tliat the ditches and drains be kept clear, and the foot-paths clean ;— that no work be done on Sundays; — that the rent be regularly paid on the 1st of November; — and that the landlords, by paying for the crop and labour, shall be at liberty to remove an objectionable tenant. The plan has now been in o])eration two seasons, and has completely answered the expectation of its benevolent au- thor. His principal ol^ject has been to give a garden to assist the industrious cottager to maintain his family and to add to his comfort, not for their intire maintenance; as he justly observes, a very small allotment uoidd fail to give the desired assistance, while too much ground would demand more than the extra labour of a man and his family, and a greater quantity of manure than would be in the cottager's roach ; it would make him a little farmer without insuring him the means of culti- vating his farm. Mr. Pearson lays down two rules for deter- mining the quantity of land best calculated to answer the desired end. 1st, the amount of leisure time a cottager muy fairly claim, — an hour or two each day; and 2nd, the sacrifice of regular work which would he required to cultivate it properly, — three intire days in the year. The following is given as an account of the gain to be derived by the labourer from his allot- o Cost. Rent Manure £. .. . . s. 6 7 4 10 5 d. Three days' time Seed Gain to labourer .. .. .. 3 6 4 12 G Produce, £. 35 bushels of pota- toes 2 Summer vegetables 1 Winter ditto 12 d. 4 12 6 To this may be added, the saving which would be made by the family in the article of vegetables for their own consumption, calculated at three farthings per day, or 1/. 2s. y|d. per year. 80 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. The general satisfaction (says Mr Pearson) which prevails among- those to whom I have been able to give the opportunity of a garden, the numerous demands I had for vacant allotments and the distances from which some of the occupiers come to their gardens, are, to me, convincing reasons for being satisfied with the general advantages of the plan, and strong motives for continuing it, and not unreasonable grounds for hoping that it has only to be generally known how much good may arise from such small means, to make it generally adopted. OPINIONS OF THE NORFOLK MAGISTRACY. At the Norfolk sessions, a few days since, observes the County Chronicle, Nov. 1st. 18,31 we find that this subject (the Allotment System), engrossed the serious consideration of the magistracy ; and a very able report of a committee, appointed at a previous sessions, was read, which emphatically pointed to the expediency of promptly taking advantage of the augmented powers of the bill just passed. In the concluding passage of this report, the following irresistible appeal is made to the influ- ential classes : — " Your committee entreat the attention of the magistracy, owners of estates, and all whom it may concern, to the granting to agricultural labourers the occupation of a small allotment of land, whenever praclicable within a certain distance from their homes, not exceeding half an acre, to he cultivated part- ly by themselves at their leisure hours and partly by the exertions of their families. They rejoice to find that it has already been in- troduced into this county, and would implore others not to be led away from the subject under a persuasion that the attempts are hopeless; that indolent habits have been formed, and that labourers will not exert themselves as tliey did formerly. If the daily earnings of the labourer, without additional resources, are inadecpiate to the support of his family, w-hat inducement is left for him to exert his abilities and industry? If the amount is to be the same in all cases, how can it be expected that they will toil merely to lessen the parisli rates ? On many, perhaps, an allotment of land might be thrown away. The Committee be- lieve, however, that, by very many others, an offer of this sort, if tendered in kindness, would be thankfully and eagerly em- braced. Let the selection be made, in the first instance, from among those of the more deserving class, and trust to the effect of example and encouragement to produce their salutary influ- ence on the remainder." COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 81 ON FIELD GARDENS FOR THE LABOURING POOH. [By Captain Scobell, R.N.] [The following observations addressed to the Bath and West of England Society for the Encouragement of Agriculture, &c. were read at their annual meeting, on Dec. 18, 1831. The author received the unanimous thanks of the meeting, and the paper was ordered to be publislied under the sanction of the society, in the hope that the plan might be immediately and generally adopted.] A greater unity of sentiment probably never pervaded all reflecting minds than in the prevailing conviction, at this moment, that decided remedial measures are required to recover and to retain the better feelings of the misguided labourers. But whilst none deny the necessity of counteracting that dis- content which must, if not arrested, endanger every bond of society, there is far from a concurrence of opinion as to the most expedient means of effecting it — a want of combination of purpose among the influential and the opulent. As the disease, now so evident to all, has been long slowly approaching its present crisis, and is the offspring of many cir- cumstances — so, in all human probability, its cure must be gradual, and is beyond the reach of any single measure. Putting aside, however, as unfitted to this assembly, every allu- sion to methods of coercion or political arrangement, I take far greater pleasure in bringing before a meeting, composed as this is, of leading landed proprietors, and respectable tenantry, a practical illustration of the excellent and sure effects of a means of kindness, and having relation alone to our several stations in private life — I allude to the allotment of " field gardens," under considerate regulations, to the industrious poor. The adoption of this measure is divested of all difficulty, and, to many here present, requires but to will and to perform. It shall be my object to show that it is, if well administered, a safe and certain auxiliary in renewing the loosened ties between the rich and poor. I am aware that the subject of allotments has been recom- mended, and, in different modes, practised by persons of station and talent ; but as it is still in its dawn, and as every new instance of its operation becomes another guarantee of its bene- fits, I will now proceed to describe its effects under arrangements of some novelty, in two parishes, in whose welfare I take much interest; and in which, not without discouragements and diffi- culties in the outset, I have been a humble instrument of its G 02 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. establishment on no inconsiderable scale. In one of these parishes more particularly, having found in other landed pro- prietors enlightened and benevolent supporters, it is founded on a plan of comprehensiveness and stability. 1 should observe that, in the populous neighbourhood of the two parishes of which I speak, Midsomer Norton and High Littleton, no previous or similar attempt of the kind has been made, except, indeed, one or two nominal ones, which, by offer- ing to the labourers either poor land or land inconveniently situated, came to no result, and tended only to reflect doubt and disrepute on the system. The parish of Midsomer Norton is ten miles from Bath, and contains four hamlets, 3,800 acres, and 2,500 inhabitants. In the winter of last year the several principal proprietors of land concurred in the following regulations. (See Appendix.) At a subsequent meeting of the landlords, the applications of the several labourers were received and considered ; and, at a following meeting, the allotments having been arranged and apportioned in the fields most convenient to the dwellings of the respective applicants, the situation of each occupation, in the several fields, was decided by lot. The above-named " rules and conditions" having been printed on a single sheet and in large type (calculated to be attached to a board, and to be suspended on the walls of their cottages), each landlord and each tenant signed two of these ; one to be re- tained by the owner, the other by the occupier. These documents becoming as it were the title deeds by which a long occupation, subject to an honesl discharge of their conditions, was assured to the labourers, it was under no com- mon gratification that we saw on that day 132 fathers of fami- lies, the representatives of 804 individuals, who came to us without any real bond of communion, depart from us with soft- ened and grateful hearts as our established tenantry; — that moment created a resting-place for their kindly feelings — a ratified charter of their willing affections. The whole quantity of land appropriated to these 132 families is 30 acres 27 poles — an average of 20 poles, but divided in portions from 20 to 40 poles, according to the number in the several families, and the average number of each family is a fraction above six. I will not disguise that some of the proprietors of land, whose benevolence rather than their conviction had conducted them to this period of our operations, entertained fears of the success of our object, and anticipated difficulties in the collection of rents, and the enforcement of rules. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 83 Possession being thus given, we all, however, viewed with de- light the indefatigable efforts of the occupiers. The whole thirty acres of some of the best pasture land in the parish was soon turned up, with the spade alone, and all was cheerfulness and industry. The intire allotments being permitted the first year to be planted with potatoes, as a cleansing crop, the summer passed on in their cultivation. By the rules, the whole year's rent and other charges became due at Michaelmas, and at one payment. A day having been announced, a proof was at hand of how many in the mass would fail in punctuality, and the ordinary work of the labourers had been far from abundant during the summer. The day came, however, and with it of 132 tenants, 131 at- tended and paid every farthing, with the strongest expression of thanks j the absent one brought his intire rent the following morning. I have a farther satisfaction in relating that, of these 132 occupiers, it has not come to my knowledge (and I have good opportunities of ascertaining) that either of them has been sum- moned before the magistrates for any offence whatever, or in any way during his occupation suffered in character. At the present moment the " field gardens" are not useless; cabbages, turnips, &c. are scattered over them, and there is every probability that the returning year and many succeeding ones will bring a repetiton of the same happy results. I have dwelt on the proceedings at Midsomer Norton, because there the experiment is the largest and most complete. At High Littleton, where the population and the extent are much smaller, I have not been so successful in meeting with co-operation — only one landlord has placed land at my disposal for the purpose, and he is an absentee : without a coadjutor, I have therefore been constrained to act alone. The quantity laid out into " field-gardens" here is about five acres, occupied by twenty-seven tenants, the total of whose families is 158. The land, though old pasture and well situated, is not of such qua- lity as at Midsomer Norton ; the rent, therefore, is less; and the other charges not so much, as the tithes and parish-rates are, with a generosity worthy of praise, not levied. Per Acre. £ s. d. The Rent 1 16 8 - Haulage, Fences, Gates, and Stiles ]fi 8 £2 13 4 - Per Pole d. 01 H 84 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. The period of allotting these field-gardens at High Littleton, the mode, the regulations, and the results were similar in all respects to those I have already detailed ; and I am gratified that I can also say that the same grateful and contented feeling has been produced, the same punctual payment of rent, and the same cheering prospect of endurance to the under- taking. During the season 1 had continually little ofTerings brought to my house, of early or choice potatoes, from my pleased little flock of tenants. T indulge a hope that this successful prelude to the system of "field gardens," in two parishes will, in my own neighbour- hood, lead to its wider adoption. T would here observe that, imless good* land is devoted to the object, at a farmer's rent, it will be of no pennanent avail ; and that if anything approaching to bad land is so appropriated, it will be an injury, not a support, to the plan; a cottager can furnish suflficient manure to sustain an allotment of good land in heart for many years, but he cannot keep bad land from soon getting useless for his purposes. Having thus stated the practical and favourable issue of a year's experience in " field gardens," I will add a few obvious inferences on the subject. One prevalent defect in the relation between the landed proprietor and the labourer is the unfrequency of their coming into such species of contact as is likely to lead to a better estima- tion of each other. There are doubtless many exceptions to this remark, but a too common consequence is, that there is no suflicient point of union to ingraft good feelings upon ; and, viewing his superiors at a distance, indiflference and incivility, like weeds, spring up in the mind. Now I can imagine no means so calculated to gradually counteract this state of things as that of the land-owrier, m person, arranging and letting allotments of land to the indus- trious poor, listening to their reasonable requests, and once in * The Authov will excuse us if we dissent from this unqualified assertion : we are quite aware that good land, at a higher rent, will make a better return than bad at a lower ; but we must be careful not to throw impediments m the way. Where good land cannot be obtained, that of middhng or even bad quality has been found to answer ; it will only require a little more exertion and attention on the part of the cultivator, with less profit. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 05 the year, at least, meeting his collected tenantry of labourers, and, face to face, reaping the sure harvest of their gratitude. There are no persons quicker to discover disinterested favours than the poor, and the question for the opulent person to ask himself is, — " Do I sufficiently often give them the opportu- nity?" The first consequence then of " field-gardens" will be — thank- fulness ; the cultivation of them will create labour, which will so adapt itself as to be available when the occupier would other- wise be without it; from labour will arise industry ; and industry will promote the poor man's hesthoon— honest independence; and in being thus made better, he will become wiser and happier. Let me again, for a moment, ask attention to the condensed results of thirty acres at Midsomer Norton. Every labourer of good character has a new stimulant for its preservation, and feels himself in immediate contact with the landed pro- prietors. The poor-rates there are 9001. per year, whilst land, amount- ing annually at the farmer's rent to 70/.— only one-twelfth of the poor-rates — supplies 132 families, being all the industrious poor not yet paupers. The parish contains 3,800 acres; thirty of these, or 126th part, are sufficient for the object. Those thirty acres occasion about 2,600 days of additional labour, annually,— a joint stock in which each family, on an average, holds a share of twenty days of an able man's work. The landlord loses nothing; whilst the cultivator, including all inoney charges, grows his potatoes at about 9d. per sack. These thirty acres, as pastures, have hitherto been maintaining fifteen or sixteen cows — now, 804 human beings draw their whole vegetable sustenance from them. But in ten or twelve years these thirty acres will want rest, and it may then be asked, " What then is to be done V I answer, return them into grass, and break up thirty more.* Midsomer Norton contains (and the foregoing proportions will not be very dissimilar in most other parishes) 3800 acres; supposing only one quarter of the whole to be adopted, on the plan I have recommended, to " field-gardens," it would be three hundred and Jifiy-two years before tlie fields now so allotted * Experience docs not at all warrant tliis conclubion : it proves on the contrary, that land improves under spade cultivation. 86 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. would be required, in rotation, at eleven years' garden culture to each thirty acres. I here close the subject with facts, not arguments ; and though I do not include in the inducements for adoption the prospective reduction of poor-rates, it is not that it might not be available to strengthen my opinions, but rather that I would be the advocate of the system on higher and more generous motives. I am not aware that any original communication has hitherto been made to the Bath and West of England Society on this interesting topic, although so intimately interwoven with the agricultural welfare of the kingdom ; and I only ask for this, — a reception sufficiently indulgent to stimulate rather than dis- courage its further developement. Among the individuals constituting this large body, it would be vain to hope to discuss this, or indeed any subject, to the satisfaction of all ; but I trust that even criticism will not deny me the justice of good intentions. I am urged by a zeal for the high objects of this influential society beyond my ability, — a zeal which though I share in common with many, I am ex- ceeded in by few. On the plan to which I have directed attention I have re- flected much; and I again record my deliberate conviction, that if the landed proprietors will, themselves, take the matter into hand, — allot good land for a series of years at farmers' rent, — mix no paupers with the self-maintaining labourers, — and allow no parish-officers, as such, to appear in the arrangements, — that a system of " field-gardens " so constituted would act as a talisman on the rural population. POTATOE-GROUND APPORTIONED TO LABOURERS FROM FARMS.* It would require a volume (says Mr Montague Gore, in an ex- cellent little pamphlet on this subject) if I should attempt to narrate all the instances in which this plan has succeeded. On an estate in Wiltshire, belonging to, I believe, Mr Heneage, the plan has been attended with the very best effects ; it has put a stop to poaching and other crimes ; and when the disturbances * Although this plan may be productive of temporary relief, yet there are many circumstances connected with the letting of land for the labourer's sole use, that render it far preferable, particularly its effect on character. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 87 broke out last winter, the labourers came in a body and ten- dered their services. I may mention, as proofs of its success two instances on property belonging to myself. In the parish of Barrow, in Somersetshire, allotments of land, to the amount 'of half an acre to each person, have been made : and a more sober, steady, and honest set of men are not to be met with than the occupiers of these allotments. In the parish of Orcheston, in Wiltshire, the labourers have not allotments of land ; but a system has been pursued there by an intelligent tenant of my own, and by other farmers, which merits attention. Every labourer is allowed to have as much land on the farm as he can find manure for ; the manure is carted to the spot for him : and he has only the trouble of digging and planting the potatoes, which are carted home for him. The succeeding year a fresh portion of ground is allotted to him ; and thus the land is benefited by undergoing this process, and the labourers will have the means of comfortable subsistence. Now mark the consequence ! When the disturbances broke out last year in Wiltshire, not a single labourer from this or the adjoining parishes was implicated in them. What, let me ask, are the probable consequences to be looked for, if allotments of land were generally made? Is it not rational to conclude, that there would be a general spirit of good will, of order, and peace, spread throughout the land ? CIRCULAR FROM SIR GEORGE CREW, BART. TO HIS TENANTRY. The long-endured privations of our suflTering peasantry seem at length to have awakened among the landed interest feelings of sympathy and commiseration. It is now felt that the in- terest of one class is the interest of all, and that the welfare of the upper ranks is interwoven with the comforts of the lowest. — The good effects of this proper feeling are daily manifesting themselves, and we are continually receiving fresh proofs of the zealous manner in which landowners, and in some instances parochial authorities, are exerting themselves with the praise- worthy purpose of raising the long-neglected labourer from his debased and prostrate condition. It is well known to all our readers that our best efforts have been unceasingly directed to the furtherance of this great work of regeneration. Our remedy is in the soil; or, in other words, to place the labourer in a situation in which he can employ himself during his spare days and hours ; he will then feel that 88 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, he has an interest in the soil, and that he is indeed a member of, and not an outcast from, society ; he will then become attached to the land of his forefathers, and be once more reinstated in that just standing in the social system, to which as a British- born subject he is so fully intitled. We have been induced to make these observations in conse- quence of the publication of a letter, dated , and addressed by Sir George Crew, Bart, to his numerous tenantry. In this letter, Sir George at once admits the full claim of the labourer to his share of the products of the soil ; and as readily concedes the point, that it is the duty, as it is the interest, of the land- holder and the farmer, to assist in replacing the labourer in a situation more assimilated to his proper standing in society. Sir George hints at one or two means of employing the able poor, but does not point out any positive remedy for the evil ; he, rather, it would appear, leaves that to the consideration of those to whom he makes his appeal; insisting, however, on one point, namely,— full employment, and adequate remuneration. And it is for the purpose of showing how the allotment of land, par- ticularly to the agricultural labourers, at a fair rent, would enable the worthy baronet to carry his humane intentions into full effect, that we take this notice of his well-timed circular. Speaking of the comparative trifling efforts made by parlia- ment to ameliorate the condition of the agricultural population, but at the same time expressing a belief that this important subject cannot much longer be neglected, he says — " In the mean time we, the owners and occupiers of land, upon whom the burden falls, are called upon, without delay, to put our own shoulders to the wheel, and diligently to inquire by what means we can best help ourselves. I trust I need hardly remind you, that whilst our poorer neighbours are labouring for us, it is our bounden duty, both in the sight of God and man, to endeavour that they shall receive such a remuneration for their services as will enable them to provide their families with suffi- cient food and necessary clothing. To accomplish this object, I am most willing, not only to take any part I can, personally, in the contrivance or arrangement of plans, but in making any sacrifice which shall ensure the success of our labours. In some parishes I am aware tliat the good sense, and liberality of the farmers has produced in a great measure, the regulation desired. The present is no time for wasting either our labour or our money upon that which produces no profit ; neither is it a time in which one man shall sit down to consider how he shall save his own pocket by poaching upon that of his neighbour. The interest of one is the interest of all. I may own the land, and you may occupy it— but both you and I^ and the proper pro- COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 09 portion of agricultural poor, and the labourers of the trades, in villages connected with agriculture, according to the number of acres which each parish contains, must live out of its produce. Whether the money comes direct from you or me in regular wages paid for work done, under our own orders, upon our own land, or whether it is demanded by a legal assessment in the form of a rate, in the end the same purpose must be an- swered, with this notable exception, that what you pay in rate, and is distributed by the overseer or guardian of the poor, is so much money lost to you and me ' and our heirs for ever;' whereas, what is expended in labour upon your own farms, remains an improvement, of which you will one day reap the profit. Now as I expect, in the main, to share the fair profits of the land with you, so am I now willing to divide the unavoida- ble loss. At the same time, whilst I profess myself ready to make any arrangement, either by reduction of rent, or allowance of a per centage to be employed in labour upon your own land, to be performed by persons legally settled in your own parish, I confess I am not so ready to submit cheerfully to loss incurred in consequence of overwhelming rates (rendered necessary by bad management), whose produce after all gives no profit, either to you or to me, and gives neither comfort nor satisfaction to the poor, for whose maintenance they are collected. Let me pray you to open your eyes, and see your own real and true interest, as inseparable from that of your labourers ; and let me beg of you in the good old fashioned style, to look upon those labourers as your neighbours, in the Christian sense of the word — make them feel once more, if you can, that they have an interest as deep in the land they cultivate, as either the occu- piers or the owners thereof; that so long as any thing remains in production from it, they, their wives, and families will have their due propsrtion as far as it will go." Sir George then proceeds to show in what manner the village tradesmen are dependant on the village labourers, and how essential it is to trade in all its bearings, that every class of persons should be enabled to support themselves, and in so doing contribute to the support of others; and how utterly impossible it is that the welfare of the body politic can be main- tained, unless employment and adequate wages be afforded to all. He then goes on : — " I do earnestly beg and entreat of you, that you will forth- with, and without delay, exert yourselves in your respective parishes. I believe there is no parish, save one, in this neigh- bourhood (and in that parish I occupy myself, and have but one small tenant) whose number of acres will not suffice to employ 90 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. its poor, under proper regulations. I would recommend you to arrange a correct list of all your neighbouring poor, and class them according to their ages and their ability for work. See •what proportion are permanently employed amongst you, and what are only casually or in part employed. Of this last sur- plus, allot some good able-bodied men, if you have them, to the road surveyor, and during the time their services are required by him, if they work well, let them earn as fair a profit as any other labourer, remembering that ' work well done requires to be done but once.' Work ill done often doubles the expences by requiring it to be done twice, and there is no just reason why a good day's work, well done, upon a public highway, should not be worth quite as much remuneration as that performed for you in your own fields. And here I must give you a hint of what I know from experience, that one reason why many of our high- ways are so burdensome and expensive, is, because the work is seldom or never ' well done,' being left as casual employment for a few aged and infirm people, whose exertions are too often left to be disposed of according to the best of their own judg- ment, and whose work very often indeed spoils a road instead of mending it. If when you have supplied your surveyors of high- ways, or when he requires no men, there still remains a surplus of unemployed hands, and you cannot amongst yourselves agree to employ them, let the overseer or guardian of the poor, in virtue of his office, hire some work upon the parish account, and set the men on, not for a day or two, but for some fixed period at least." To relieve the labourer effectually, and at the same time to raise him into an useful member of, instead of a burthen on society, you must give him the means of employing himself; and this can be best done by allotting to him, at a fair farmer's rental, a piece of good productive land. Do this, and you may leave him to his own exertions for accomplishing a full and complete remedy for that worst of all evils — pauperism, and its natural attendant, crime. By these means too, the agricultural labourer will be in a situation to avoid becoming chargeable to the poor- rates, and will also be enabled to bring up his family to habits of industry and usefulness. On the contrary, employ him in the manner suggested by the worthy baronet, and you are only relieving his present necessities at others' cost, without enabling him to provide for the future — it is the aid dictated by a chari- table disposition, not by a well-directed and mature judgment. — Nor is this the only evil of such a system, for wherever parishes have had recourse to this method, pauperism and crime have fully kept pace with the increase of the poor's rates ; and such must always be the case ; for parochial establish- COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 91 ments,* whether for manufacturing or farming purposes, necessa- rily injure and depress those persons who would subsist by the produce of their own labour and industry, but who, already borne down by rates and taxation, cannot compete with estab- lishments that have nothing of the kind to depress them, and are thus often compelled to have recourse to the parish rates for subsistence, to which, under more prudent management, they would have been able and willing contributors. In the concluding part of this circular, Sir George follows up his recommendation by saying that — " As casualties will occur to diminish or increase the number of poor not placed in permanent employment, I would recom- mend a special meeting to be held either every Saturday night, or once a fortnight : or, what would be better perhaps, ap- point a 'labour committee' specially authorized to superintend this business. On no account suffer an able-bodied, willing, industrious man to go by house-row; it is a degradation you should not punish him with; and whenever you can, put out work by bargain, to shew that you do not grudge but encourage the profits of extra diligence and extra labour. All this, you will say, is very fine, but where is the money to come from ? "Why, it must come from the land — out of my pocket and your pocket, if we share profits and loss together. I am not alarmed, nor need you be so, for I believe labour, if properly applied, must produce some profit — and what at first you suppose to be a clear loss, will eventually prove to be a sure and no very dis- tant gain. The subject of the poor laws is very difficult; so difficult that it has frightened four successive parliaments so much that they dare not look at it — at the same time, I am one of those who think that if we set about the business with a little unanimity of good feeling, a firmness of purpose, and have respect more to practical experience than wild nonsensical theories, under the blessing of God, there is no difficulty which may not be surmounted. It is very clear, that if one acre of land be allotted to a single man for his support, and three additional persons are afterwards placed to share that acre with him, the first man, instead of having the whole, can have but a fourth part.f Every man for himself, but every man for his * Parochial farms have been found to answer, when well arranged and under proper management. f This axiom admits of a greater latitude than at first reading would appear. In the preceding portion of this volume we have shewn tliat a cer- tain portion of good land, let to a labourer at a fair rental, will effectually rescue him from the necessity of ever applying to the parish rate, by affording him sufficient employment for those days and times when his labour is not required by the farmer, and enal)ling him to raise a considerable portion of the food necessary for the support of his family. The convincing proofs we 92 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. neighbour also, as fellow-men, as fellow-Christians ought to do, and so shall we at the present hour discharge most faithfully our duty to God, to our neighbour, to our king, and to our country." THE LABOURER CONTENT— THE LANDLORD GRATIFIED. [From the Rev. Mr Banister, of Alton.] Vicarage, Alton, Nov. 22, 1831. In consequence of a request I made to the Rev. Mr White, of Crondall, I have just received the following particu- lars respecting the land let to the poor in that parish, and which you may think deserving of notice. In the year 1819, Mrs Lefroy let eight acres to five labourers; of which one of them rented two at the distance of half a mile from his house, at a rent, inclusive of taxes and rates, of 1/. 10s. an acre. For the four first years he kept a cow — allotting a quarter of an acre to grass, and another to mangel wurzel, which, with a summer run on the common, supported her. At the end of have been enabled to adduce have been the means, in several instances, of inciting landowners and farmers to an adoption of the system we so strenuously recommend, that of allotting a piece of ground to the poor, contiguous, and, where practicable, attached to his cottage. And we know of no one instance where it has failed ; unless, indeed, from erroneous or contracted views, such a small portion be doled out as proves utterly insufficient to supply the wants of the cottager's family, or of affording the means of employing his waste time to advantage. We assert that every labourer is entitled to such wages as will enable him to obtain for himself and family the necessaries of life ; if that cannot be awarded him as wages, you must, if you really wish to place him in his just standing in society, and to assist yourselves, give him the means of making up the deficiency. And how can this be done better than by the allotment of a sufficiency of good land, upon which his occupancy is secured for a term of years, and from which he can raise that for his family to wliich his scanty earnings, even at the best of times, must otherwise be, and that too insufficiently applied ? To prevent the erroneous idea, that the adoption of such a system would militate against the interest of the farmer, — we would refer to the statement by Thomas Estcourt, Esq., from which it will be seen that the fact is directly the reverse. Not only did the plan completely answer in bettering the condition of the labourers, but we have the authority of Mr Estcourt for stating that these very labourers were remarkable for industry, honesty, and sobriety, and were decidedly the most to be depended on when their labours were needed by the farmer ; and as to the effect on the poor's rates, it will be proof enough to state that in the parish referred to, where the sum annually raised for the relief of the poor, exceeded 400/., it, after the adoption of tlie plan, decreased to less than 2j/. This is only one instance ; we could enumerate many more ; but for them, we refer g»4nerally to the contents of this volume. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 93 four years, he was obliged to sell his cow, in consequence of the parish refusing any assistance, (although his family had in- creased to seven,) upon the ground of his having a cow. His children increased to fifteen, with a grandson ; all of whom are now alive, and who have derived the greatest assistance from the land without much interfering with their daily labour. Since 1825, this labourer has rented four acres more, upon which he has maintained a wife and six children without pa- rochial aid. Another of Mrs Lefroy's tenants has occupied an acre and a half since 1822, which he has greatly improved by annual coats of manure from his stye and hearth, it being ad- joining his dwelling. I consider those instances of ten or twelve years' duration more valuable than later experiments, having heard a superior kind of farmer acknowledge that it might exist for a year or two, but that he knew from his own experience that it would not last. I believe one great cause of failure to be, the allotting fresh land to the poor annually, which destroys all forecast and provision of manure. When a man feels confident that he will not be dispossessed of his land, he not only endeavours to ensure his future crops but he learns to save, in order to have the means of so doing at his command. In consequence of the allotment of land to the labourers in Crondall answering the expectation of both parties, it has been extended to 150 acres to 120 persons, of which the above- named Mrs Lefroy lets fifty-five acres, and Major Birch nearly forty. The latter gentleman has built a barn adjoining his allotments, which he allows his little tenants to use. Happening to pass through this village when they were digging their po- tatoes, I counted no less than seventy people at work in one field, and forty or fifty in another, not one of whom were looking about them, but all engaged too earnestly to notice travellers. Much of the land let to these labourers is rented at 31. per acre, including all charges; — a high rent, considering the distance it is from their dwellings ; yet, being land they can always work, they prefer it to the cheapest land of an inferior quality. Many more labourers are applicants for land, and as Mrs Lefroy says, they are her best tenants,* being most punctual in their rents and improving her land, I have no doubt they will be accommodated. I ought to have mentioned that Crondall used to be a noto- rious bad parish for poachers and thieves, but it is now quite altered. Also, that when all the country around rose last year, * By a letter just received from this lady, we learn " that every one of her poor allotment tenants paid their yearly rent at Christmas, and felt satisfied and grateful for being allowed to have the land." 94 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. not a man joined them from this parish. The population is about 1200, being one of the largest sized villages. Major Birch and Mr White have promised the fullest co-operation. ADVANTAGE OF COTTAGERS RENTING LAND. [From the Bishop of Bath and Wells (when Bishop of Chester) to the Society for Encouragement of Industry and Reduction of Poor's Rates.] Sir, In answer to the letter and address with which you have favoured me, it may possibly be of use to inform you, that from my own experience I can recommend a plan, which was adopted by me at a living on which I resided for some years. The plan was this : — I let my glebe lands, consisting of about seventy acres, prin- cipally to poor cottagers who had families ; and I let it in small portions, of half an acre or an acre each. The land was cul- tivated by the occupiers at such spare time as they might have, after the regular work of the day was finished ; and the farmers, when it wanted a ploughing, would, for the most part, accommo- date their labourers with a team. The advantages attending this measure were as follows : — 1. The land was well done by. The cottagers had time enough to keep it clean, and generally manure enough to keep it in heart. 2. Thus they had occupation for their leisure hours, and hence escaped the temptation of public-houses and drinking. 3. The produce was, for the most part, abundant and va- luable. Potatoes and other vegetables, which formed a great part of their sustenance; a little corn also for feeding poultry and a pig ; straw for lighting fires and heating an oven, &c. &c. In short, their not having the land, or having it, might make the diflference of their being on the poor-rate or not. It gave to the poor a feeling of independence — a respect for themselves; the annihilation of which qualities is one of the greatest misfortunes which the country experiences. Such were the advantages of the plan. The objections to or the evils arising from it were none — none at least that I heard of. Sincerely shall I rejoice if this hint can be rendered pro- ductive of any good — and heartily wishing success to every measure which has for its object the encouragement of industry, and the comforts of the poor, &c. (Signed) G. H. Chester. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 96 ADOPTION OF THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF BASINGSTOKE. [From the Rev. L. B. Wither,] Basingstoke, Feb, 10th, 1832. At the close of 1830, the owner of an estate, situated in the parishes of Worting, St Lawrence, Woolton and Monk Sher- borne, near the town of Basingstoke, was prevailed on to allow the plan of cottage allotments to be tried on his lands, in the hope of its affording a permanent improvement in the condi- tion of the labouring population. The plan has since, to a certain degree, been carried into effect, by the writer. Two of the great evils that pressed upon the cottagers were, the excessive amount of house-rent, and the all but impossibi- lity of obtaining land. The first evil is not yet remedied; the other is already much reduced. In proof of their extreme want of even the smallest patches of garden ground, I may mention that several of these cottagers were in the habit of renting a few poles, each, at the rate of 61. and upwards per acre; while now, for land of similar quality, immediately adjacent, which they have been allowed to rent at its full market value, they pay considerably less than 35s. an acre, including tithes, poor rates and every other charge. In December 1830, it was made known to the cottagers living on or near the estate, that they might be accommodated with portions of land, not exceeding an acre each, at the same rent that a farmer would pay; the amount of tithes and rates being added, in order that the payment of the whole might be made in one sum. At that time seventy-five persons took advantage of the oiler; and had land allotted to them accord- ingly, as near as possible to their several dwellings, in quantities varying from twenty rods to a whole acre, to each applicant. The quantity of land altogether thus allotted the first year of the experiment, was twenty-three acres; making an average of about forty-nine rods to each occupier. The appointed day of payment for the first year's rent is past. Every shilling is paid. Several of the men came with the money in their hand, before the day. All of them when the day did arrive, were ready and even eager to pay the last fartliing, without complaint or a hint at abatement. On the contrary, they one and all expressed their thankfulness for the privilege of renting their little bits of land at all ; and were ready, even before they were asked, to tell of the goodness of their crops, and of the great increase of comfort those crops would give 86. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. them. By a calculation made from their own accounts of their crops, I am confident that their clear average profit is, at the very least, lOZ. per acre. The real amount of it, indeed, I am sure, in most instances, much exceeds this sum. In the case of these little tenants, the gross value of a crop, and the clear profit from it, are not generally such very different sums as they would be with the large farmer. From the farmer's profits must be deducted the keep of horses, &c. and the wages of labour : from the cottager, on the other hand, no such deduc- tions are to be made in the same proportion ; because the principal part of the labour bestowed on his crop is that of his own hands or his family's, after the hours of his daily work, or at times when, if not so eviployed, he would have been idle. Taking, therefore, the cottager's clear profit at only 10/. per acre, (although I am confident, from their own account, that it is generally more), the number of acres allotted being twenty- three, and the occupiers seventy-five, here is at least the value of 230Z distributed among seventy-five families ; and reckoning each family at five persons, three hundred and seventy-five individuals are partaking of the advantages of the plan. This for the first year's trial of the experiment. For the second, ending next Michaelmas, its sphere of usefulness will be consi- derably enlarged. The land now allotted amounts to full seventy acres ; the number of tenants is increased to one hundred and thirty : an average of about eighty-six rods to each tenant. So that this year, supposing the same rate of profit as before, an increase of income, amounting to 700Z in value, will be distributed by this system, for the benefit of more than six hundred persons. And this advantage is gained without loss to any one. The landlord is sure of his full rent, and need give nothing; and yet the humble tenant is a great gainer. He has the means of employing his only capital, his labour, pro- ductively. He is enabled to withdraw it from the market, during that season when, under the present system, it is gene- rally over-stocked, and to employ it to the best advantage on his own land, and on his own account. If every labourer in the kingdom had the power of doing the same thing, we should, I think, for many years to come, hear no more of '' redundant population " in the agricultural parishes. The country might support, in comfort, double its present numbers ; and yet the supply of abour need not outrun the demand. Wages might rise, beneficially to all parties ; and poor-rates might become a merely nominal burthen. A bold peasantry, their country's pride, might again raise their heads in honest independence of " the parish." The cottage, even though domestic manufacture might not be restored, would become again the school of honest industry to the rising COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 97 generation ; its happy inhabitants would again become the trustworthy preservers of the public peace, and the willing de- fenders of property. For they, too, would have a something to lose ; they would themselves possess a something worth defend- ing, and would feel that all tlieir own interests were enlisted on the side of good order. " 111 fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay." It is one thing to create masses of wealth in the hands of a few, and another, to consult the general welfare of the mass of the population. The real prosperity of a people depends on the way in which wealth is distributed, not on its gross amount. That country can never truly be said to be flourishing where the most numerous classes are shut out from the hope of being ever able, by diligent and good conduct, to better their con- dition. To restore to them this departed hope, and give them an opportunity of realising it, has been the object and aim of the writer of these pages. His desire is to lift them gradually, by their own means, above the necessity of depending upon others for relief; to raise their moral character, as well as in- crease their physical comforts. With this view, the system pursued is divested of all eleemo- synary features: it is not to be looked upon by either landlord or tenant as a mere scheme of charity. It is so constituted as to be acted on generally : the parties to it, landlord and tenant, being mutualhj interested in upholding it. With a view to these ends, the plan has been conducted on the following principles : — the rent is to the fidl as much as a farmer would give; tithes and rates being added, and the whole paid together in one sum to the landlord, in the shape of rent. The occupancy of allotments is not confined to day-labourers. The village blacksmith, carpenter, bricklayer, shopkeeper, and one or two others above the condition of those who are ever likely to require parish relief, have each their acre, which they cultivate in the best manner, either wholly by their own families, or partly by hired labour. Thus they are contributing to the success of tlie plan by setting a good example to their poorer neighbours, while the fact of their occupying allotments at all, proves that the system is not one of mere charity, and has, therefore, nothing degrading in it. Again, uiunarried men arc not excluded (although it so hap- pens that only five or six have as yet applied lor land), other- wise, if they were excluded, the system would be a direct bribe to hasty uiarriiigcs. An unmarried man, on the contrary, having II 98 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. land, has the means of saving something to enable him to set up house-keeping with comfort and independence, so that the plan will tend to check improvident marriages, by putting it in the power of every one, after a little time, to contract them pro- videntially. The breadth of land allotted in this case may make a great difference in the effect produced. If it be restricted to twenty or thirty rods, that quantity may indeed afford a few days' occu- pation, and the produce of it a few sacks of potatoes at a less price than they before cost ; but it can hardly work any great alteration in the occupier's geneml circumstances. The true policy, I think, is to supply the tenant, perhaps, by successive additions, with such a quantity of land (an acre, for example, or more) as may make it worth his while to put forth the entire energies of his body and mintl to cultivate it well. The produce of such a quantity of but moderately fertile land, cultivated by the spade, would yield an immense addition to the substantial comforts of the cottage. It would supply an average sized family with their bread, bacon, and beer for the whole year, and pay the rent besides. The cultivation of it would not occupy more, at the utmost, than one-third of the tenant's time, so that he would still have the power to earn all the wages that the farmer would probably expend on his land. With these principles in view, the whole arrangement is to avoid all illiberal stipulations, and any attempt to tie down the tenants in any way beyond what necessity requires. The con- ditions they are expected to agree to are, consequently, few and simple. They are these : — I. Not to underlet their land to any person whatever. II. To cultivate it by the spade, and not by the plougii. III. To return to the land, annually, all the manure made from the produce of it. IV. The cultivation to be performed at leisure hours, or when out of employment, so as not materially to interfere with their usual work for the farmer, especially at the times of mow- ing, turnip-hoeing, and harvest. Some, even, of these conditions may, perhaps, in time, be with safety omitted, when the tenants, by a few years' expe- rience of the benefits of the system, shall have become more thoroughly aware of their own true interests, with regard to the COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 99 time to be spent in the cultivation of their land and the manner of effecting it, than they can now be fairly supposed to be. Then they may be allowed more latitude in these respects. As to the mode of cultivation, whether by spade or plough, for wl\atever method makes most for their permanent interest will be equally advantageous to the landlord and farmer. Conse- quently, conditions II and IV may, in fact, prove unnecessary. It is to be observed, that no promise is exacted from any of the cottage tenants on the subject of parish relief. Any attempt at such a course would, in all probability, defeat its own end. The jealousies of the poor would be alarmed ; they would think the system only a scheme to deprive them of their legal rights, and would, in consequence, reject the offer of land on such terms altogether. On this point, therefore, they are left unfet- tered. Nevertheless, a reduction in the amount of poor's rates, though not directly and expressly stipulated for, as the main object in view, is in fact gradualhj following, as an incidental result, in proportion as the plan succeeds in its other and higher aims. In proportion, therefore, as the labourer is enabled to depend on his own industry alone to procure him a share of the common comforts of life, greater than he can now command with the scanty aid of parish pay, in that proportion will the necessity diminish for levying rates to supply that pay. Thus the rate-payer will, in time, be cased of a great part of his burden, not by grinding the poor down to the lowest pittance capable of supporting life, but by affording them the means of raising themselves above the need of help. In this mode of lowering the rates, where nothing is compulsory, the labourers themselves will willingly co-operate. They will soon see that their own interest invites them to do so. Several of the little tenants before referred to have, of their own accord, told me, that THEY shall never think of applying to the parish for work or relief when they have land sufficient to supply them with both, on better terms, at home. Competence and independence are, indeed, even more desir- able to the poor, than any distinctions that gratified ambition can bestow, can be to the rich. The labourer, though long the victim of a mistaken and im- politic system, is still a man. He has all those human feelings and energies about him that may be made effective for good as well as for ill. If his spirit have been bowed down in despond- ency, it may be raised up to hope. If he have been made idle and improvident by that undislinguishing and levelling system which paid every man, not according to his earnings, but according to the number of souls in his house, he may yet learn 100 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. industry and economy in another school. A state of existence from which hope is exclnded, is justly considered by the poet as a characteristic feature of the place of torment : — " Where peace And rest can never dwell ; hope never comes, That comes to all." Wiiat are the sentiments of those who are condemned to in- habit such a place ? " Farewell hope ; and, with liope, farewell fear. Farewell remorse." He who has nothing to hope, has but little to fear. If we cannot attach a man to the constituted order of things by the tie of interest and the hope of probable comfort, at least, if not advancement, as the usual fruits of industry, under the existing state of the social economy, feeble indeed, and insecure, will be the controul which the mere terror of punishment can supply. A forced submission will but ill supply the place of a willing obedience. In the latter state of things, alone, is there safety. There the tendency is towards a closer and more intimate bind- ing together of every class of men into one united and insepara- ble whole, with no principle of rottenness within, and, conse- quently, in little danger from any hostile assaults from without. In forced submission, on the other hand, it is unwise to put our trust. The moment the arm of power is witlidrawn, such a state of things tends directly to a total dissolution of society, a violent breaking up of the whole system, which may, perhaps, come to pass in this country, sooner or later, if the present un- natural and factitious condition of the rural population be suf- fered to run out its fatal career. To avert such a calamity, before its consummation in general anarchy, is still within our power. The means of eflecting our deliverance from this danger, safely, speedily, and certainly, are in the hands of the land proprietors, and in ilie'ir hands alone. The well-being of the whole agricultural class is at their mercy. They, alone, can supply the great thing wanting, — the means of enablino- the labourer to win for himself an honest indepen- dence by his oxen exertions. This is to be done by allowing him the occupation of land at its full market value, and to supply him with profitable work at home, when he cannot get it abroad. The landlords, alone, have the power to confer on him that stimulus which sharpens the industry of every other class — the hope of rising in the world. This may be accomplished by a gradation of farms, rising from the one acre of the day-labourer, by successive steps, to the four hundred or five hundred acres of the wealthy yeoman. Such an arrangement as this would COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 101 work an incalculable tjood to the tenantry ; and to the laiulicid the additional expense of buildings would be repaid in many ways. Thus Avould be filled up that impassable chasm that is now fixed between the labourer and the class next above him. He would again recover his long-lost energy and almost- for- gotten manliness of character. Hope restored would become the parent of many virtues. It would create more dutiful suh~ jects, happier men, and better Christians. The many tempta- tions to crime that want brings willi it, would be withdrawn, and duty and evident interest would go hand in hand. These are blessings which the landlords have it in their power to bestow. They stand, indeed, on lofty ground, with the wel- fare of the nation in their keeping. Their power is of the most exalted kind, that of conferring peace, plenty, and happiness on millions. The exercise of such power is doubly blessing: it blesses him that gives and him that takes. May they, then, exert it speedily, and they will sooner restore the strength of their country, and deserve and enjoy tlic devoted affections of a grateful people. INFORMATION COMMUNICATED BY OUR OLD CORRESPONDENT, MR JOHN DENSON. I AM hut a labourer, and make no pretensions to the qualifica- tions of a writer ; but, as my situation has been considerably imj)roved by means of a small piece of land attached to my cottage, together with another small portion in the fields, I con- sider that I am able to give yon some useful information on the subject. That the condition of the poor stands in need of amelioration, is agreed, among all humane men in the country; but, until you enable a poor man to benefit himself, you will be doing nothing to the purpose. Vou may make him a servile dependent, but by so doing you will never make him either a sober, industrious, or a happy man. It has always appeared to me, that there is a spirit of independence inherent in our natures, which is a bar to every mean and unworthy action ; but when once a poor man is driven to apply for relief to a parish, that barrier is destroyed. He is thus degraded in his own eyes, and frequently becomes indifiercnt about his charac- ter ; but, if he could have an acre of land attached to his cot- tage, I am certain parish aid would be no longer necessary, except for the aged, blind, &c. The method I take is, to plant potatoes on one half, and wheat on the other ; the potatoe land is left in excellent condition for wheat the following year, I 102 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. grow my other vegetables, my flowers, &c. In what I call my home garden. The plan the poor man would in general pur- sue, supposing him in possession of his cot and an acre of land, would be this : he would plant half with wheat, the other with potatoes, and a small piece v/ith onions, cabbages, lettuces, &c. alternately. The produce on an average would be as follows (I speak as to the land of my own parish, Waterbeach) : be- tween four and five coombs of wheat, with litter for his pig; the haulm would furnish him with fuel to heat his oven; 150 bushels of potatoes, besides other vegetables, which, after using as many potatoes as may be wanted for his family, with his bran, and a small quantity of corn, would fat him three or four hogs in the year ; and thus, as he would live more on animal food and vegetables, he would not consume half the quantity of flour, which now constitutes nine-tenths of his subsistence. If he were to pursue this plan, the greater part of his crop would be consumed upon his land, Avhich would continue to im- prove it. His iient would be always ready, and he would be able to give more for his land than any farmer in the county. Take a view of him after his day's work : see him employed in his garden, his wife assisting, his children weeding, another employed in carrying the refuse to their pig, a little one prattling beside the father,*till the dusk of the evening calls them to their repose. Rudely as I have drawn it, to me the picture is de- lightful; and all this might be effected to the benefit of the landlord, as well as to that of the community at large. In this parish, the labouring man is barely allowed sufficient for one day to enable him to work the next, during three quarters of the year ; and as the land is principally in the possession of three farmers, it is l)ut to little purpose that he attempts to bet- ter his condition. If he apply to one of the overseers, he is again sent to one of those farmers, who perhaps puts him out a job, by which it is impossible for him to earn half enough to maintain his family ; he is then sent to the overseer to make it up two shillings a head. One of my neighbours was employed in this manner upon one of tliose farms : himself six days, and two of his children four days each, for which he received six shillings ; but as there are seven in the family, he was sent to the overseers to receive the other eight shillings, to make it up fourteen. Similar cases are niuncrous, to the great injury of the small occupier who pays to the rate, because this is making him pay a portion of the rich man's labourers. In fact, the rich man who acts in this manner appears to me to be the prin- cipal pauper. If ever the plan of allowing to the poor man an acre of land attached to his cottage be adopted, my opinion is, that the plan should be general ^ and in no case to make hijm the sub- COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 103 TENANT OF THE FARMER. I have known instances 'where the poor man, when he has been in possession of a cottage, or even of a covi^, has been obliged to part with both before he could get employment or relief. There should be no condition but his keeping his cottage in repair, and the regular payment of his rent. Cottages here are built with a wooden frame, filled up with clay, and thatched with straw ; and I am informed by a carpenter, that one can be completed for 40Z. The one I rent is of this description, for which 1 pay, as there is a small piece of land attached to it, 61. a year, and pay rates. For a cottage of the above description^, from 31. lOs. to 41. a year rent, would be cheerfully given, and for the land a rent equal to, or higher than, that given by the farmer. Thus might landlords, without injury to themselves, reduce the poor's- rates, make the poor man happy, and occasion nume- rous advantages which you can better conceive than I can express. Among the many landowners who begin to feel the necessity of doing something to raise the condition of the agricultural labourer, we have the pleasure to reckon the present Speaker of the House of Commons, who has, in conjunction with another landowner, set apart fifty acres of land, in Kent, to be allotted among the labouring peasantry, under the superintendence of the clergyman of the parish. LANDLORD'S SECURITY FOR RENT FROM HIS ALLOTMENT TENANTRY. [From A, B,] Coiinaught square, Marcli, 1832. The principle of allotting, or rather letting, small portions of land to poor cottagers at the farmer's rent, is now making rapid and useful progress through every part of the country ; and can there be a more easy, rational, or effectual way of relieving every pressure both on the poor-rates and on the extensive con- tributions of private charity ? It is practicable, as is shown in every case where the happy experiment has ever been tried. It interferes with no previous habils of the poor or the rich in any quarter* It gradually lessens the evils that injure each, and is therefore a clear gain to all, in the increased produce and re- sources of the country. A question has been raised on the score of profit and loss between the landlord and his pauper tenant, and it has been 104 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. assumed by some that the former will necessarily be a loser. Being convinced that this is a serious mistake even on this profit-and-loss account only, I proceed to show on what founda- tion that conviction rests. It v/ill be agreed, I apprehend, that the landlord's security for rent is in the produce of the farm. If the farmer has capital to work it, whatever may be its di- mension, he will derive produce in ]»roportion to the capital so expended; and that without a capital to do it justice he must fail. Thus a farm of one hundred acres, with a capital that will only do justice to eighty, must ere long fail, because he is paying a rent for one-fifth more than he renders productive. In other words, the produce of four-fifths is all he has to pay for the whole. Supposing him to have a capital equal ouly to the proper cultivation of one-half; then, by the same rule, the produce of the half is to pay for the whole ; ho must, therefore, sooner fail. With a capital, however, e(pial to the whole, he obtains the produce of the whole to pay the rent of the whole, and most probably thrives. In which of these states is the landlord's rent the most secure'^ Every man, I should think, ■will say the last. Now, apply this obvious principle to any sort of farm whatever, from the largest to the smallest, it will be found to have an equal bearing on them all. Without a capital equal to the undertaking, whatever the size, ultimate failure may be anticipated ; with a capital commensurate Avith, and applied to it, ultimate success. Come we now to a more direct application of the principle in a few practical instances. The poor man's capital is in his individual labour; he has no other ; he needs no other, if he be suffered to use it freely and fairly. What is the limit, then, to the capital of his labour ? What sized farm should he have that will make it the most pro- ductive ? Why, the exact amount, and no more than that to which he can apply all his capital. Has he a family, he may then have more capital of labour to bestow by their assistance ; consequently, a larger allotment will be needed to employ all the capital of more extended labour. If he be single, then less, of course, will better suffice. It is well known that spade husbandry is vastly more pro- ductive than any other, and no otlicr is open to the poor, and that a much larger increase is thereby obtained by the poor farmer on the smallest scale, than by the rich one on the largest. It would apj)car then, that the landlord's safety for rent is better secured, in the more abundant produce of the poor, than in the less abundant produce of the richer farmer. But this diflxjrence is really surprising ; it is double, nay, sometimes treble the amount. Is there not then double and treble security to the landlord, if the allotment is proportioned to the capital of labour to be bestowed upon it? Bui if the allotment be an COTTAGE IirSBANDRY. 105 acre to a poor man, whose capital of labour will only do justice to, that is, fully till, half an acre ; then, though he may struggle on, yet the chances are against him, for he will then be paying two rents for one produce ; that is, the rent of one acre out of the produce of half an acre. Now the half rent against the then whole produce makes all the diti'erence to him, ay, and to the landlord also. The risk is lessened on both sides ; that is, in truth there is none on either hand, nor ever can be, on this very natural and obvious })rinciple. Take a farm on an ex- tended scale of, say even a thousand acres, with a capital (which by the way is merely the power over extended labour) equal to only 800: though he may be rich, comparatively speaking, at starting, he is in the sure road of becoming poor; that is, he is paying rent for a (ifth more than is productive to him, and that out of the four -fifths that arc. In any way in which the matter is taken, it comes to precisely the same con- clusion. It may be said that rents are not taken into account here, and that is true. Rents may be so high that no capital will aflbrd means to pay them, but the principle is no otherwise aflfected than that it must also necessarily tend to correct exces- sive rents by sooner ascertaining their proper level, for rents must inevitably be governed by produce, and follow, not lead the way; but tliey will then foilov/ securely also, and on a per- fectly just foundation. If the poor have the means aftbrded them of bringing their capital of labour to market on fair terms and at all times, they need no more, they are not entitled to more, they ask no more. Whatever means there arc used tluit accomplish or tend to accomplish this desirable end, arc valua- ble and acceptable. MINTS FOR IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF THE AGRICULTURAI, LABOURER??. [By llic Rev. AnTiirii Pearson.] Thk barely sudicient means which many of liic labouring classes have for securing a livelihood, and the depressed circum- stances of a still larger propiution of these classes, make it an important object with all wlio lake an interest in their welfare, that exertion in seeking for, and applying remedies, should keep pace with the necessity which give occasion for them. To whatever causes the depressed state of the labourer may owe its origin, still its reality demands every possible eflbrt to relieve the distress, before more serious consequences result 106 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. from it. With a view to meet the urg-encies of this call, the following remarks are written, — in support of one among the many means which may tend to the desirable object of better- ing the condition of the labourer ; in favour of a system of useful employment, sure in its effect, however limited in its extent; a system which, at the same time, will create an en- larged interest among the labouring classes in the prosperity of landed property, and encourage an increased feeling of inde- pendence in themselves. As matters now stand, the poor man lies under very serious deprivations ; the price of labour being in most cases too low to make him a reasonable return for his exertions, and the long continuance of this state of things teaches him to consider his situation incapable of relief, and his de- pendence upon others an unhappy necessity. Few inducements are offered, under these circumstances, for full exertion; no sufficient stimulus is given to increased in- dustry ; unavailing day-labour would seem his fate, and what himself is unable to earn, his parish is most generally called upon to make up to him. Allow him but the opportunity of providing for the necessities of his family, and he would become independent and happy, satisfied with himself and not burden- some to others. Experience has shown that the produce of the soil may be very much increased by improving the method of working land, and by adapting the crops to the uses, the daily available uses of the cultivators. In furtherance of this, means must and can be found. The practice of spade husbandly, and the introduction of useful and profitable vegetables, have tended very materially to this end ; but that the advantages arising from these improve- ments may be shared by the actual labourer, it is first necessary to give him the opportunity of bestowing his labour, for his own advantage, on land capable of such improvement. The system of allotting small gardens in a common field, of an average soil, provides this convenience for the cottager, at a very easy rate of trouble or expense to the person who may undertake to sup- ply it ; indeed, next to its utihty, the great argument in favour of such a plan is, that it may be carried into efi'ect without ex- pense, or loss of either land or labour ; leisure time may and will usually suffice for cultivating a garden, without injury to the interests of employers, and a sufficient rent may and will cheerfully be given to remunerate the landowner for the use of his land, and meet any extra charges into which he may possibly be led by the conversion of farm lands into garden- ground. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 107 LORD CHICHESTER'S ALLOTMENTS AT PALMER. [Extracted from the Second Quarterly Report of the Sussex Association for improving the condition of the Labouring Classes.] The following important fact is selected as conclusive of the argunment we so often adduce — that by enabling the labourer to employ himself, you not only better his own circumstances, but you also at the same time and in the same degree benefit every one with whom he is connected; by the occupations of land he is enabled to extend his dealings with the village tradesman and village shopkeeper, and a spur is thus given to the home trade of the empire, which is soon sensibly felt in all its ramifications. The fact to which we referj is a statement of the value of produce obtained from twenty-five allotments of land, in the parish of Palmer, Sussex ; it is as given by the labourers them- selves, and is certainly within, rather than beyond^ the truth. His lordship, in giving the details of this gratifying fact, says — " As this number includes nearly all the married labourers upon the spot, there is of course a great variety of character, industry, and skill, which accounts for the difterence in pro- duce, rather than a variety of soil, which is generally of the same quality, and was valued by the tenants who gave it up, at 30s. per acre, the rent which the labourers now pay. " Nineteen of the twenty-five only entered upon their occupa- tions early in last spring. Names. DESCRiPTiON. Roods. Value of produce. £. s. d. H.Simmonds.. Huckster and Labourer. . 2 20 J. Mockford .. Shepherd 2 5 10 H, Skinner. . . . Works on the roads .... 2 700 R. Wilkins. . . . Bricklayer 4 1115 T. Wooldridge .Do. 2 7 J. Wilkins .... Do. 2 3140 W.Carter Blacksmith 2 6 10 T.Tilly Labourer 2 5 5 J. Chatfield ..Do 2 4 10 W.Petit Do 2 6 13 T. Walls Do 2 6 10 R. Lepperd ... Do 2 415 W. Smith .... Do 2 411 W. Eades . . . . Do 2 5 10 S. Denman ... Do 1 2 18 Carried forward £102 1 108 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. Names. DESCRirnok. Roods. Value of Produce. Brought forward A. Juniper . . . Labourer 1 .T. Wing Do 1 H. Boon .... Do. . 1 E. Baldy Do 2 T. Carter .... Do. 1 T. Blackmore . . Do. 1 E. Brown .... Do. 1 J. Knight .... Do. 1 E. Meades .... Do. 1 T. Meades .... Do. 2 £138 1 Of this land 3^ acres was a poor pasture piece, and I have no doubt that in this instance the produce has been increased at least 200/. per cent., and this, with two or three exception?, by an expenditure of nothing but waste labour and waste manure. Chichester." December, 18.31. £ s. d. 102 1 2 13 4 3 4 5 4 4 M O 3 2 3 5 SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT AT TODDINGTON, BEDS, This parish, as appears by tlie last census, contains 1926 inhabitants, of which 306 are emphjyed in agriculture. In common with many other parishes, the quantity of agricultural labour has greatly exceeded the demand, and from want of a regular, well-managed plan, for the employment of the extra hands, they have been turned on the high roads in gangs of 20 or 30, not to work, Init apparently to give them an opportunity of forming plans for midnight depredation. The consequence Avas, as might have been foreseen, a great demoralization of the men, and an increase of the rates. Under these circumstances, W. D. C. Cooper, Esq., the principal proprietor in the parish, resolved to make the experiment, whether this sad state of things might not be meliorated by making small allotments of land to the labourers. In November, 1829, six allotments, of half an acre each, were made to six men, well recommended for their good conduct, and having large families. The land is a free-working gravel, and, at the time, was a wheat stubble ; it was let as from the 29th September preceding; but, as no profit could accrue to the people for the next half year, their rent was not to begin before the 25th of March following. It v/as not supposed that they COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 109 would attempt to put in any wheat ; however, they each, by some means or other, collected sufficient manure for a small part of their land, and sowed it with wheat. The rest of the land was, in the spring, set mostly with potatoes, with some peas, cabbages, turnips, scarlet beans, &:c. The men took great pains, and kept their land very clean ; they were repaid by good crops, which caused them to redouble their exertions to procure manure; so that the streets were cleansed of whatever could be made convertible to this end. As a proof of the benefit which was derived, one of the men, having a very large family, and who had heretofore been obliged to go to the over- seer for money to pay the rent of his cottage, was able to pay it himself to his no small satisfaction. This experiment seeming to succeed so well, the labourers generally were very importunate, also, to have land ; accord- ingly, at Michaelmas, 1830, a large field was divided among forty-one labourers, in pieces, varying in size according to the ridges into which it was accustomed to be ploughed ; giving the larger portions to those with the larger families. This land, too, was let upon the same terms with the former ; but as it was, for the most part, extremely foul, and out of condition, very little wheat was put on it; and indeed it was feared, in the spring, they would hardly be able to get their potatoes in ; but the men turned to with hearty good will (tlieij were war Icing for themsehes) , and the farmers, having ploughed the land in the autumn, they set most of it with potatoes, and some corn and vegetables — their crop of potatoes has been abundant, some having from sixty to eighty or ninety bushels. That the people receive benefit from these allotments, is evident from the labour they bestow, not only in getting out the twitch grass, and other weeds, but also in their actually making good and substantial hollow drains : it is further evidenced by their good and orderly conduct. In summer evenings, instead of idly lounging about the place, or doing mischief, they are occupied on their land. It is a heart-cheering sight to see from forty to fifty persons, after their masters' work is done, labour- ing in their allotments, weeding and cleaning the crops till daylight fails, and then going quietly home, doubtless, with the pleasing anticipation of their labour eventually making them independent of the parish, as their faUiers, or rather their grand- fathers, had been formerly. In addition to the forty-seven allotments already spoken of, and two gardens, thirty-four more pieces were allotted last Michaelmas, making a total of eighty -three, which will nearlv meet the demand. 110 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. The rules and terms upon which the land is held are very few and simple, and cannot be misunderstood or forgotten: in the first place, the rent is to be paid punctually on each quarter- day, under a penalty, for default, of immediate loss of land, and the crop ou it; secondly, if any of the men are convicted before a magistrate, of any breach of the law, the land and crop are in like manner forfeited; lastly, it is particularly insisted upon, that they shall be very watchful over the morals of their families, and regularly frequent some place of public worship; and espe- cially that the children be not permitted to be idling about the streets after night-fall. In granting the allotments;, of course regard was had to the characters of the applicants ; and those who were notoriously bad, were objected to. This rule was all well enough to begin with ; but, upon reflection, it was thought right to give those, whose characters did not stand very well, a chance of retrieving themselves ; as one of them said, " I know, sir, that you have not a very good opinion of me ; but give me an opportunity of honestly employing my time, and you shall see that my land shall be as well cultivated as the rest, — and no fault shall be found with me in other matters." He has hitherto kept his word — he has hollow-drained his land — and bestowed as much labour and pains upon it as if it were his own freehold. ACCOUNT OF LORD SHERBORNE'S ALLOTMENT TENANTRY. Lord Shekboune, on his extensive estate in Gloucestershire, has adopted the Allotment System with every prospect of complete success. The quantity his lordship has allotted to each labourer is a quarter of an acre, at the same rent as the farmer pays for the adjoining land: — the cottager pays no tithe or poor's-rate; and he is informed, unless the result of the plan is to make him a more respectable and cheerful labourer, and a better member of society, it will have failed in attaining Lord Sherborne's object, and probably will be abandoned ; and that whoever is found guilty of any offences against the laws, will be deprived of his garden. — In the cases of large families, and where the labourer has managed a quarter of an acre well, and is desirous of increasing his allotment to half an acre, the addi- tion has been granted to him. There are very few labourers on this extensive property not keeping a pig, and some of them two; and it is very evident from their appearance and manners, COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. Ill that they are more contented and comfortable than heretofore; and the farmers admit, that their fears of the labourer being thus rendered " independent and saucy" have not been realised. Their rent-day in each parish is fixed within a short time of Michaelmas, and they are most punctual in the payment of their rents. There is a comfortable supper of cold meat and ale provided for those who pay their rents. This, no doubt, insures their assembling; at the time appointed, and is no little induce- ment to them to bring their rent. They all behave with the greatest order and decency, and you will hear them exclaim as they go home in little groups, " A poor man is thought some- thing of now, if he does what's right, but he warn't before." — Every labourer is encouraged to bake his own bread, and allowed the convenience of an oven, not from the advantage in point of profit being great, which in cases where fuel is scarce, it is not ; but that it breaks the ruinous habit of getting into debt, and they will be induced by-and-bye, when they have got rid of the village shop, (the next great evil to the alehouse,) to buy their wheat and make good wholesome brown bread, keeping the coarse bran for their pig, and then the saving to them will be considerable. — All we want now is the repeal of the malt tax, which would be the greatest boon that ever was granted to the labouring classes. AN INDUSTRIOUS LABOURER AND HIS ALLOTMENT. [Fnoisr A Correspondent.] Conceiving that the following fact, showing the greater im- portance that a cottage and a little land is to a labourer than high wages, might be allowed a small space in the publication devoted to the amelioration of his condition, I take the liberty of inclosing it. I may perhaps be pardoned in relating here the good conduct of a villager, residing on the Gloucester-road, a few miles from Bristol, deserving more approbation than my simple record will bestow ; and it affords an eminent example of what may be accomplished by industry and economy, with a little land, and a manifestation that high wages are not always essential, or solely contributive to the welfare of the labourer. — When I first knew A. B., he was in a state of poverty, possessing, it is true, a cottage of his own, with a very small garden ; but his consti- tution being delicate, and health precarious, so that he was not 112 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. a profitable labourer, tlie farmers were unwilling to employ him. In this condition he came into my service : his wife, at that time having a young child, contributed very little to the general main- tenance of the family, excepting the value of a sheep or two annually, which she used to rear with great care, although their only feed was in the lanes near their cottage : his wages were ten shillings per week, dieting himself, and with little besides that could be considered as profitable. I had employed him little more than a twelvemontli, when he begged me to let him a piece of rough land, about two acres, lying at one extremity of my grounds, of little use or value to me; I did so, at a fair rent for the state of it; in a very few months after taking pos- session himself and wife had cleared it of all its incumbrances, which they burnt to ashes, and scattered over the land ; and three or four perches were planted with potatoes. We soon perceived that the clothing of the family became more neat and improved; certain gradations of bodily health appeared; the cottage was white-washed, and enclosed with a rough wall and gate; the rose and the corchorus began to blossom about it; the pig became two; and a few sheep marked A. B. were running about the lanes : then his wife had a little cow, which it was " hoped his honour would let eat some of the rough grass in the upper field ;" but this was not entirely given : this cow, in spring, was joined by a better; but finding such cattle diffi- cult to maintain through the winter, they were disposed of, and the sheep augmented. After about six years' service, my honest, quiet, sober labourer died, leaving his wife and two childreu surviving; a third had recently died. We found him possessed o4 some money, tliough I know not the amount ; two fine hogs, and a flock of forty-nine good sheep, many far advanced in lamb; and all this stock was acquired solely with the regular wages of ten shillings a week, and his " land," as he used with pride to call the little field ; in conjunction with the simple aids of rigid sobriety and economy, without a murmur, a complaint or grievance. MALLING LABOURERS' FRIEND SOCIETY. A MEETING was held at the Assembly-house, Town Mailing, Kent, in the early part of 1832, which was numerously and respectably attended. The Rev. Mr Bates briefly explained the object of the meeting, and requested John Dudlow, Esq. who has interested himself very deeply in this excellent object, and by whose exertions it was thus taken up at Mailing, to favour the meeting with some information relative to the operation of the allotment system in other places, and the effects that might be expected to result from it. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 113 Mr Dudlow then addressed the meeting, and commenced by referring to the present degraded condition of agricultural labourers. As the causes of their depressed state had been long and gradually working, so must relief be gradual and pro- gressive. Through all their sufferings and privations, the agri- cultural population had been passive, and, with the exception of the last year or two, generally well conducted. The system of letting allotments of land to deserving labourers and industrious mechanics, was that, however, which would work the most effectual improvement ; for it must be productive of great bene- fit to the parties immediately concerned, and to the community in general. It was a subject in which every tradesman must be interested. It would conduce to improved health, as well as increased comforts, by acting as a counterbalance to the seden- tary nature of the occupation in which working tradesmen were generally engaged. The system now under consideration was incomparably superior to any parish aid. It was also to be recommended on the score of interest, although this was an ar- gument in its favour which should be advanced as little as pos- sible, in order that those for whose benefit it is intended, should not conceive that we are actuated more by personal considera- tions than a desire for their welfare. But that it would be de- sirable on the score of economy, was beyond doubt. It was on record in the minutes of evidence taken before Parliament, that, in the parish of Cranfield, in Bedfordshire, 750/. had been ex- pended in gravel-digging, for the purpose of keeping the poor employed, which the gentleman under examination stated he could have had done for Jifty pounds ! Thus was a sum of seven hundred pounds expended in useless labour ! The Vjencficial eftects of the allotment system were to be seen in their own neighbourhood. Any one who had travelled over East Mailing heath, could hardly have failed to remark an inclosure of plan- tation which presented a remarkable contrast to the barren heath which surrounded it. This small plot of three or four acres was granted to an individual named Streaton, who by his careful industry had managed to live on the produce for some years, and also to procure for himself a competency, on which he has retired from labour, and is now living in comparative ease and comfort. Mr Dudlow then referred to some corres- pondence he had had with the Secretary of the Society at Wantage, where the good efiects of the allotment system had been so remarkably evident. The rate at which the land was there let to the occupiers was 21. I2s. an acre, including rates and tithes. This rent the labourers were able punctually to pay, and they derived at the same time such increased comforts from their little possession as amply repaid the labour and time bestowed upon it. Out of thirty-three occupiers, thirty-two paid their rent on the very day it became due. At Saffron I 114 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. Walden there was a remarkable decrease of parochial burdens, in consequence of this mode of employing the poor. In the year preceding that in which the system was tried, the poor- rates amounted to 3,1001. — and in the next year, when the allotment system was in operation, they decreased to 2,000Z., being a reduction of one thousand two hundred pounds ; while five hundred pounds less had been paid for labour ! Who had not observed, in the long summer evenings, groups of labourers standing idling about at the corners of the streets? Their work perhaps was finished at six o'clock — it was too early to go to bed — they had no intellectual resources — their only means of amusement was to assemble together — if they had a shilling in their pockets, it was spent in beer — and if they had not, it but too frequently happened that they resorted to poaching or pilfering to gratify their incHnation, Mr D. then instanced the case of a man named Hodge, as a proof that labourers could make the system answer, if they were disposed. This man had hired two oV three small uncultivated lots of land in the parish, belonging to Mr Douce, for which he punctually paid his rent, and provided for himself comfortably. They all might not at first be able to manage their allotments to the best advantage, but it was the intention of the advocates of the system to give instruction to those who wanted it. Proper regulations would also be adopted, to insure the good conduct of the occupiers, and to provide against their infringing upon their master's time, or on the Sunday. The full employment of the labourers was the real source of wealth to the country, and of comfort to themselves. In the absence of employment, distress and dis- content must ensue. Another instance of the beneficial effects of the plan on the parochial rates, was to be seen at Burley, in Rutland, where it had been long in operation, — there, in the year 1815, the rates were only threepence in the pound, while in Burwash, in Sussex, where there were no allotments, they were tivelve shillings. The amount expended in the same year, in the parish of Burley, for the relief of the poor, was 511.; and, in Burwash, 3,38 U., both parishes being nearly equal in point of extent. Mr Dudlow said he was no great admirer of Mr Cobbett's opinions generally ; but one observation of his res- pecting the labouring population, he would take the liberty to mention. It was well known that the present Lord Chancellor had been a great advocate for the general diffusion of educa- tion, and was reported to have said, he should like to see the time when every poor man could read Bacon. Mr Dudlow said it was well known that Bacon's works were of a very ab- struse kind, and even difficult to be understood ; and however desirable it might be that the poor should receive some educa- tion, he hardly thought it necessary that it should be quite to so great an extent as this. Mr Cobbett had quaintly replied COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 115 to this observation of Lord Brougham's, that it would be much more to the purpose if every poor man could be enabled to eat bacon. In this he (Mr D.) completely concurred, and he trusted the general establishment of the allotment system, if it did not entirely produce this result, would, at least, most ma- terially improve the condition of the labourer, and greatly add to his comfort and enjoyment. At the conclusion of Mr Dudlow's address, a number of Reso- lutions were adopted which will be found appended. A Com- mittee was appointed to carry into effect the object in view, and the Meeting then adjourned. We trust the example thus set by Mailing will be promptly followed by other parishes ; and most heartily do we wish success to a plan which promises to be of such immense and almost incalculable benefit to the country. Resolutions. That a Society be formed, to be called the H^est Mailing So- ciety, for providing industrious Labourers and Mechanics with Land, under such regulations as may hereafter be agreed upon. That this Society do consist of a Patron, a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a Committee. That an annual subscription of 5s. do constitute a Member. That Donations in furtherance of the objects of the Society be thankfully received from individuals, either within or with- out the parish, who may approve of its principles, and be desir- ous to assist its views by pecuniary contributions. That the Members of the Society be requested to direct their attention to some eligible spot of land in the parish, which may be attainable for the object in view, and report the result to the Secretary. That so soon as such spot can be selected, the Committee be requested to prepare a scheme suggesting the quantity of land of which the allotment shall consist, the rent for the same, the conditions of the occupancy, with any other observations of a beneficial tendency which may occur to them, and submit the same for the approbation of a General Meeting. That the Committee be empowered to add to their number as they may judge necessary. That the Committee be authorised to purchase for circulation, so many sets as they may consider useful, of the monthly publications issued by the Labourers' Friend Society, esta- blished in London, containing facts and illustrations, demon- 116 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. strating the important benefits which have been, and still may be, derived by Labourers, from their possessing small portions of Land. That the Secretary, upon the requisition of any three Mem- bers, and upon three days previous notice, be empowered to convene a General Meeting of the Society, at such place as may be thought most convenient, the object of such Meeting being expressed in the notice. That an Annual Meeting for auditing the accounts, and on the general affairs of this Society, be held at such place, in this parish, and at such hour as the Committee shall determine, on the first Wednesday in the month of October. That the thanks of this Meeting be presented to Mr Dudlow, for his exertions in promoting the formation of this Society, and for the information he has collected and communicated. THE COTTAGE AND THE ACRE OF GROUND. (From a Friend.) Charles Marshall, a day-labouring farmer's man, at Ash, near Farnham, Surrey, had granted to him, twenty-six years ago, about one acre of ground, he paying a small yearly quit rent to the Lord of the Manor : this land is on the edge of a hill; a great part of it had been excavated in procuring gravel for the roads ; it was in holes, and covered with furze, broom, and heath : this he levelled, trenched, and dug, mixing the lighter with the heavier soil. In the course of a short time, he procured a house to be built upon it. The whole of this extensive poor district is called the Bag- shot Sands, and Ash is the mother parish of Frimley, which is only a hamlet. When he took the land he had four children, since which his wife has had ten more ; these are now out from home (some have died), filling respectable situations as servants. The cottage and the garden around it do indeed bear out Mrs Heman's lines — " The cottage homes of England, By thousands on her plains ; They are smiling o'er the silvery brook, And round the hamlet fanes. " Tlirough glowing orchards forth they peep, Each from its nook of leaves ; And fearless there the lonely sleep, As the bird beneath the eaves." COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. H? At this time, the cottage is surrounded with a quick hedge, forming a sufficient fence — one fourth is planted with potatoes, another fourth with barley, the other part is cultivated with various vegetables for the house or for the pigs ; and through- out the whole garden evidences of an industrious man may be seen ; the pigs are on one side of the house, the bees on the other; a grape-vine and an evergreen decorate the front and roof of the house, which consists of three rooms and a wash-house, all on a level. In the wash-house there are a hearth, an oven, a copper, and a large bricked sink ; the wife executes some wash- ing. The refuse from all household work is conveyed by an under-drain into a refuse-hole at the end of the house, and into this hole are thrown all superfluous vegetables, but more par- ticularly the turf-dust and rubbish that could not be burnt : the hole and the pig-dung supplies all tlie manure required for the acre of ground. So sufficient is the manure for the purposes of the garden, that the cottager can sell to the neighbouring farmer all the ashes from his hearth at one shilling and sixpence per cart-load. Here then is a specimen of what a cottage and an acre of ground can do for a farmer. The cottager finds that the rotted turf and vegetables, with the animal matter from the wash-tub and cookery-pot, are better for his garden than the burnt vegetable; on the contrary, the farmer finds by experi- ence that the ashes are serviceable to him in all clovers and green crops ; and this is borne out by scientific knowledge, for the ashes contain carbon, sulphuric acid, and finely-divided particles of sand, which are foods necessary for all grasses. The refuse-hole supplies the garden with animal and vegetable matter, being the hydrogen and carbon, not at all reduced by the action of fire ; and this is more fertilizing than the ashes, particularly on this sandy district, for a burning is a reducing of turf to its sandy base, holding only that portion of carbon and potass which the fire has not driven off. This cottager informed the narrator, that he had been many times, for fourteen days, without tasting meat, living on potatoes and bread, and at the same time was thrashing all day, and digging in his garden half of the night; but now his cottage, inside and outside, bears the aspect of comfort and content ; a healthy and numerous family, who occasionally on a Sunday visit their parents ; the pork-tub is full, some sides of bacon are hanging up, the crocks are full of honey ; an adjoining shed has a mangle in it, — a drying ground is taken from the common ; and give him but one comfort more, and he would bring up fourteen more children, the offshoots from his progeny ; this comfort must be a cow and one more acre of ground, on which to put his hearth ashes, or a liberty of range for a cow over the common pasturage. 118 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. This Charles Marshall is now clerk of the parish, and he should be otherways rewarded for his industry, and commended for his assiduity. He would be a worthy object for this Society to bestow a mark to shew their sens© of his good conduct, at least by a present of books published by the Society,* for he had never heard of the Labourers' Friend Society until a paper was put into his hands by the narrator. Charles Marshall has grown five bushels of potatoes on each rood of ground, over a quarter of an acre, with only a dressing of pig-dung on his bare, and would have been, sterile garden of sand. ON THE MEANS OF BETTERING THE CONDITION OF COTTAGERS. (By Thomas Babington, Esq.) For many years previous to 1797, I had set small pieces of land in two parishes to a few cottagers and village tradesmen (carpenters masons, &c.) who were thereby enabled to keep from one to three milch cows each, and to supply their families abundantly with culinary vegetables. I thought I saw such good effects from pursuing that plan, that in 1797, I extended it considerably, and have now twenty-six tenants of the above description within two miles of my house. Four of them joist their cows from Lady Day to Martinmas in a close which I have in my occupation. Part of these rent small pieces of meadow of me, from which they cut hay for the winter : twenty-two rent of me from three to twelve or fourteen acres each, consisting partly of up-land and partly of meadow. I have found materials for such as wish to build a cow-hovel each in their up-land closes ; and all have done so except those who had conveniences for housing their cows at home. In or- der to obtain a sufficient number of up-land closes of a proper size, I divided some grounds of fifteen or twenty acres each into smaller ones, by quicksets well fenced, and I required those to whom I let them to take care of the new fences until they should be raised. Part of the meadow land set to these tenants has been divided by fences, so that each has his own portion in severalty through the year. Part has merely been divided by This suggestion has been attended to by the Committee. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 119 land-marks, which fix the boundaries of the pieces from which they are respectively to cut their hay; and in the autumn they stock the aftermath of the whole meadow in common, each turning in his due proportion of cows on a day fixed by me ; and the meadow is also cleared of stock on a day of my appoint- ing. I find, however, that they like so much better to have their pieces of meadow land entirely separate each to himself, than to stock the aftermath of a large meadow in common, that new divisions of meadow are made yearly, and in a short time pro- bably each man will have his own piece in severalty. The land I let to these persons is good and proper for their purpose. The up-land closes are seldom half a mile from their habitations. The meadow ground is in some instances further : but this is of the less importance, as the cows are not in the meadows more than six or eight weeks in the year, and conse- quently the inconvenience of going to a distance to milk does not continue long. Had I not been able to provide them with meadows, expe- rience in one or two instances has shown me, that three small and contiguous up-land closes, to be mown in turns, would have answered the purpose of one of these tenants very well. Their rents are as high as those paid by the farmers in the same parishes, and are paid with remarkable punctuality. I am fully convinced, that persons of this description can as well afford to pay high rents as farmers, for land which suits their purposes. The wives and daughters milk and manage the cows, with occasional assistance from their husbands ; but the latter are not prevented from working for their masters, the farmers, or pursuing their trades with great regularity through the year, ex- cept for about a week in hay-harvest, and for a few days at other times, when the carrying of their manure, or some work which the women cannot perform, demands their attention. Such of them as are not tradesmen, are among the most respect- able and useful of the farmers' labourers. It is important, for obvious reasons, not to set so much land to the class of persons of which I am speaking, as to interrupt materially the course of their ordinary occupations. The system I have described appears to me to produce great advantages to the individuals who occupy the land, to the land- lord, and to the community. The occupiers of the land get, I think, a clear profit from it equal to from four to eight pounds on every cow they keep. Those who keep two cows (which is the case with the greater 120 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. part) are richer by at least ten pounds a year, than they would be had they no land, exclusive of the advantage they derive from growing potatoes and other vegetables for their families, and rearing pigs, which cannot be estimated at less than from one to three pounds per annum. This increase of income adds prodigiously to the comforts of a cottager or village tradesman's family ; comforts which are further augmented by the nature of the articles produced by their land. They obtain from it, for their children, milk, which is generally procured with much diffi- culty by the village poor, and for a hog, whey and butter-milk, which, with ofFal, potatoes, and cabbage, enable them to keep one of the most useful animals a poor man can possess. They are still more benefited by the improvements of their habits, than they are by the increase of their comforts. When they have a little spare time, the men go to their land and their stock, rather than to the ale-house, and the women employ many hours in the care of their cows and dairies, which would be otherwise worse than lost in idleness and gossiping. Their characters are also improved by their endeavours to maintain the good opinion of their landlord; by their attachment to good order in propor- tion as they become possessed of property and enjoy its advan- tages ; and by the prospect they have of supporting their families without ever having recourse to parochial relief; and of seeing their children well brought up and respectable in life. The children are healthy from the good food they enjoy, they are more likely to have proper school instruction than those of poorer families, and they naturally copy the good habits of their parents. The landlord is benefited in various ways by thus contributing to better the condition of the poor. My land in the hands of the labouring classes has improved faster than that occupied by the generality of my more wealthy tenants. The former have always plans on foot for increasing the fertility of their little spots. The tendency which the system I have described has to lessen the poor-rate, by lessening the number of the poor likely to become chargeable, is also no despicable advantage to the land-owners, who ultimately pay all the charges of their land. But the most important benefits he receives are of a different kind ; he has the consciousness of affording an oppor- tunity to the more deserving class of the poor on his estate to exert their industry, and to employ their little capital to the best advantage ; and of thereby adding essentially to their com- forts; of improving their morals and habits, and of raising them to a higher rank in society. He has the satisfaction of encourage- ing merit, not only in those who are, but those who wish to be, his tenants ; and he makes it respectable in the eyes of those who are disinterested spectators of his conduct. He can COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 121 scarcely fail to enjoy, if he proceed with consistency and dis- cretion, the respect and attachment of a numerous and im- portant description of persons on his estates, with whom, if all his land were set to farmers, he would hate a very slender con- nexion. While the parties immediately concerned, are thus benefited, the community at large is by no means without its share of advantage. The productions of the earth are increased by its being made the immediate interest of the poor, to whom every little gain is of importance to increase them. Industry and health are pro- moted by pleasing and salutary employments, which the cultiva- tion of their own land, and the preparing of its produce for market, afford them. Economy is studied when they experience to how good an account savings may be turned. When milk is in so many hands, it is more easily purchased ; and thus an essential accommodation is afforded to the village poor in gene- ral. An important addition is made to that useful class of men, the labour of whose hands fully supplies tliem with necessaries and decent comforts, and whose well employed capital and good habits render them a robust and flourishing peasantry, above dependence on a parish, but not above regular labour. A new description of men obtain an interest in the soil, and feel them- selves raised above the common lot of the poor, who are gene- rally obliged to depend solely on their weekly or yearly wages; they therefore become deeply interested in the stability of pro- perty, and the maintainance of good order ; and are likely to feel an affection for a government, under which they find them- selves thriving and happy. I have not had sufficient experience of a tenantry consisting of the labouring classes, to see the above picture of the bene- fits resulting from it fully realised in all its parts. It has, how- ever, been so far realised on my property, that I can have no doubt as to its being a fair one. I must be understood to speak of the general effects of the system I have described. Among a number of tenants, there will be great varieties of conduct, and in some instances the landlord will probably meet with disap- pointments; but if he gives the system a fair trial, I am pretty certain that he will not see cause to abandon it. I have found farmers considerably prejudiced against land being set to labourers and mechanics ; even such of them as are respectable and well meaning men are not sparing of pro- phecies of various kinds inimical to that system ; and, partly by their weight of character with the landlord, and partly by their confident assertions, they often succeed, I fear, in preventing it 122 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. from being adopted. If they have influence with their landlord, they have for obvious reasons commonly more with his steward ; and indeed the steward himself is not seldom tinctured with their prejudices, and ready to use their arguments, without being prompted to do so. I have found all their prophecies of backward rents, ruined tenants, spoilt labourers and mechanics, and endless trouble to myself, entirely fail. As I wished to extend the benefit arising from the occupation of land as far as I could to the decent and orderly poor ; and, as many of that description were not able to purchase a cow, I introduced a plan of setting to such of them small plots of ground, for the planting of potatoes. Most of them had their choice between a quarter of a rood and half a rood each; the generality preferred the former quantity. This might be partly owing to the very high price of seed-potatoes. About four acres of a fallow close, conveniently situated, and of a good and proper soil, were divided into beds, each of the width of twelve yards, with paths between them ; and the beds were divided into about sixty plots for an equal number of house- holders : they in general cultivated their respective portions with care, and chiefly, during their spare hours, the women and children taking their share in the work, and got good crops, of which I received three bushels for every quarter of a rood as rent ; this rent was paid very punctually and cheerfully. The produce from each quarter of a rood was on an average about twenty bushels ; but it varied very greatly, being in some in- stances as low as eleven or twelve, and in others as high as thirty bushels. The poor who were thus accommodated are very desirous of having ground for potatoes in future. The ad- vantages of this system are similar to those of furnishing cotta- gers with land for cows, though inferior to them in magnitude. In one particular, the benefit arising from enabling the poor man to furnish himself with potatoes by his own labour, and that of his wife and children, is very striking. His heap of potatoes is a resource under temporary calamities, which must otherwise oblige him to apply for parochial relief; and in this way it not only lessens the poor's-rate, but, what is more im- portant, proves no mean guard of those valuable qualities, which are generally impaired, if not destroyed, by dependence on a parish. It is no small recommendation of this plan, that it may be adopted by almost every gentleman of landed property in each of his parishes, and with very little difficulty. A very few acres of ground are sufficient for the accommodation of the poor of a large parish in this way ; and what hardship can it be on any I COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 123 considerable farmer, to be required by his landlord to give up four or five acres for the benefit of perhaps sixty poor families around him ? The furnishing labourers and mechanics with land for cows v?iil generally be attended with more trouble. A much larger quantity of ground is wanted for this purpose; and if a gentleman has not a farm in his own hands, which may enable him to supply it, or to make such changes with his far- mers as will accommodate them, at the same time that he ob- tains from them land which will suit the poor, he will meet with numerous objections to every plan he can form. It is probable that all the farmers on his estate will object to the taking twenty or thirty acres from their farms for the use of the poor, with almost as much zeal and anxiety as if the land were their own freehold property. However unwilling a humane landlord must be to adopt any measure prejudicial to the interests, or grating to the feelings, of his tenants, yet when he considers that all who live on his estate are entitled to his attention, and that by every three acres of land (or thereabouts) which a farmer parts with, the family of a labourer, equal in merit, perhaps, to that of the farmer, is provided with keep for a cow, he may see good ground for insisting on his farmers making some sacrifices in favour of the system he wishes to introduce. After the establishment of plans for enabling the poor to keep cows, and plant potatoes, some petty regulations Avill, yearly or more frequently, require attention. If the landlord does not live on the spot, or finds it inconvenient to give that attention himself, a discreet and humane tenant may supply his place. Let it however be remembered, that many and great advantages arise from gentlemen taking an active part them- selves in their plans for the benefit of the poor. Mr Babington desired the Secretary of the Board of Agricul- ture to add to this postscript, that no person who keeps a cow has been chargeable to the parish, not even during the scar- cities. The above communication to the Board of Agriculture was made several years ago ; and we are happy to state, that the benevolent author has continued to prosecute his plans to the present time, and that experience has shown the truth of his po- sitions : some little alterations have, however, suggested them- selves, particularly in that of the plan for providing the poor with potatoe gardens ; he now receives a money rent instead of a portion of the potatoes, and requires payment of that rent every year in advance : this alteration was made, not so much to secure the trifling rent, as to take away a temptation to dis- honesty : when the rent was not paid until after the potatoes were carried away, two or three instances occurred, in which it 124 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. was not paid at all ; the defaulters being aware, that on account of the smallness of the sum, the proprietor would probably never resort to legal measures for its recovery. The payment now takes place on the 20th of March, and no one is allowed to plant potatoes who has not paid his rent on that day which precedes the time of planting-. He has also found it expedient to keep the field in which the potatoe gardens are situated, in his own occupation, and merely to suffer the cottagers to plant potatoes on parts of it, without making them tenants in law of those parts ; this is done with a view of speedily parting with any of them, if circumstances should render it necessary, without subjecting himself to those legal difficulties which might arise, if they were strictly tenants from year to year. The influence which the personal comfort of the poor has upon their moral character is not always sufficiently considered ; it is natural enough that they should feel disheartened and dis- couraged when, as is too often the case, their utmost exertions prove insufficient to procure an adequate supply of bread for their starving children : can it be wondered at, if, under these circumstances, their spirits become broken ; if cleanliness in their persons and their families be neglected ; and even their minds, by continued depression, become degraded ? To better their condition, therefore, must, in this point of view, be con- sidered as a great step towards improving their morals. When a poor man perceives that it is possible by exertion to provide more comfortably for his family, every little success is likely to operate as an additional stimulus to his industry ; — his spirits rise ; he begins to feel himself of some consequence, and that he has a character to sustain ; he who before was a discontented and burdensome member of the community, now becomes not only cheerful and happy, but interested in preserving that order and decorum, without which society could not' exist. The proprietors of landed estates would consult their own in- terest, by imitating the bright example of the benevolent indi- vidual mentioned in the foregoing pages, while they would experience those higher gratifications which, by a law of our nature, result from diffusing comfort and happiness among our fellow-creatures. A NEW SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT FOR LABOUR. [From Mr Lance, Author of the " Golden Farmer,"" Cottage Garden," &c.] June, 1832. I HAVE shewn that air and water are the principal sources of food to all vegetables ; to obtain which in the nice proportion COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 125 that each grain requires is the forte of farming. My experi- ments have enabled me even to make the wheat-root grow a second time, after ripening a first crop. This year I have transplanted wheat from January until May, and all goes on well. During the winter months land may be preparing for a plantation of wheat; by continually moving it about, a winter fallow will be obtained, and the land be fit for a wheat crop. The grain may be sown in the autumn on a shel- tered and properly prepared plot, from which, as a seed-bed, to be put out into other lands : or it may be sown thick to be afterwards thinned out. I have proved that each wheat-root will grow best when a few inches removed from other roots ; that, if possible, seeds should be put singly into the ground. In transplanting, when a strong root occurs, it may be sub- divided into many plants, leaving two or three straws to each root. In January last, I took up a root containing fourteen straws, and parted it into seven roots, there are now (June 15) a hun- dred and fifty vigorous straws out in ear, so much have they tillered out ; and if they were again parted, many more ears would be the result. Now, then, a hundred and fifty straws and ears of corn could not have been in existence if the root had remained in the seed-bed as a single root. In all cases this year where a transplantation has taken place, the plant is much more vigorous than those remaining in the seed-bed, and this I attribute to their being placed out singly in rows — each root therefore gets the moisture, carbonic acid, and potass, that may be in or supplied to the soil around it by the atmosphere. The land into which the plants have been placed, had a top dressing of chalk (there being clay and sand already in the soil) thinly spread previous to the transplanting. By thus planting the wheat in rows and at a distance from each other, it enables them to be well hoed, which process adds greatly to the fertility, by letting in the air and water to the roots: the hoeing should be deep, that the roots may receive the benefit to their very ex- tremities. Some of the old stubble were planted in a crock, but they did not do so well as those in the open ground, because they could not get at the moisture from below, or from the surrounding earth. The bottom of the crock was broken away the beginning of May, and was found to be covered over in the inside with the fine fibres of wheat-roots. The crock placed again in the ground, and the roots allowed to penetrate and to ditihse themselves, are now proceeding vigorously to throw out the ears, which will shew shemselves in a few days ; this crock is eighteen inches 126 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. deep, thus shewing how far the roots of wheat will penetrate for moisture. This transplanting and dibbling for wheat and other grain will be a source of employ for those who must be fed, and for whom no useful employ has been provided : a meadow may be made in the same way, the grass seeds sown in a well-pre- pared plot, and transplanted a few inches apart, would soon thicken and make a bottom, particularly if plenty of sorts are sown. STURMINSTER AUXILIARY LABOURERS' FRIEND SOCIETY. A MEETING was held at the Crown Inn, at Sturminster New- ton, on June 29, 1832, for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary Association, in connexion with the Labourers' Friend Society. G. C. LoFTus, Esq. in the chair. After the chairman had opened the business of the meeting, The Rev. H. F. Yeatman addressed them as follows: — I rise for the purpose of submitting a resolution to the as- sembly, touching the expediency of establishing in this neigh- bourhood a Branch Association of the Labourers' Friend Society. And first as to the universality of the evil which we are this day invited both to deplore and to redress, so far as we can do so ; and as to the necessity which exists of mitigating that evil by some remedial and ameliorating measure. By referring to the earliest and most authentic record, the divine and revealed word of God, we find that the sacred historian has informed us that — " The poor shall never cease out of the land}" and that, at a later period of time, 1500 years afterwards, our blessed Lord also declared, " The poor ye have with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good." The necessity of this distinction in the lot and condition of human life has been most clearly and beautifully illustrated by St. Paul, by the figure of the anagolous formation and arrangement of the hu- man form. He has shown the use and necessity of this grada- tion and disproportion of the members of the human body; leaving us to infer by reasoning and induction the necessity and advantage derivable from these same grades and distinctions in the framework of society, the body politic at large. " The eye cannot say unto the hand I have no need of thee ; nor again, the head to the feet, I have no need of you ;" but ** that the COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 12? members should have the some care one for another." Even the law of nature has recognised this principle. " There is not (says Mr Justice Blackstone) a more necessary or a more certain maxim in the frame and constitution of society, than that every individual must contribute his share, in order to the well-being of the community; and surely they must be very deficient in sound policy who suffer one half of a parish to continue idle, dissolute, and unemployed ; and at length are amazed to find that the industry of the other half is not able to maintain the whole." And again, " There is no man so indigent and wretched but he may demand a supply sufiicient for all the necessities of life from the more opulent part of the community, by the means of the several statutes enacted for the relief of the poor." In confirmation of this right on the part of the poor to a portion of the general wealth and property of the community, I find, in addition to the authority of Mr Locke, and other well-known writers on these subjects, that Dr Paley has de- clared as follows: — "All things were originally common. There were reasons for mankind agreeing upon a separation of the common fund, and God for these reasons is presumed to have ratified it: that this separation was made, and consented to, upon the expectation and condition that every one should have left a sufficiency for his subsistence, or the means of pro- curing it." " And therefore, when this partition of property is rigidly maintained against the claims of indigence and dis- tress, it is maintained in opposition to the intentions of those who made it, and to His who is the supreme proprietor of every thing; and who has filled the world with plenteousness for the sustentation and comfort of all whom he sends into it." But the Law of God has enforced this principle in the manner so cogent and so clear, that no man can with either impunity or propriety evade its operation. " I command tliee saying. Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, and to thy poor, and to the needy in thy land;" Deut. ch. 15, v. 11. " Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn ;" Deut. ch. 25, V. 4. " Moreover, the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field!" It was on authority and principles of this high and commanding order that the Poor Laws of England were enacted 230 years ago : and tiiat the memorable statute, the 43d Elizabetli, was passed for the ex- press purpose of doing by compulsion what before had been attemped to be done through the medium of voluntary contri- bution ; the statutes of the 27th Henry VIII., c. 25 ; and 5th and 6th Edward V^I., c.2; the 5th Elizabeth, c. 3; and other statutes passed in her reign down to and preceding the 43d Elizabeth aforesaid, all tending to shew tliat exhortations to charity, or recommendations from the crown to that effect, coupled even with ecclesiastical censures on those who refused 128 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. to contribute to the relief of the poor, v/ere all of them insuffi- cient; and that the poor of England were reduced to a state of the greatest destitution in consequence, and the country at large overrun with " valiant beggars and thieves, driven to despera- tion for want of sustenance and employment." The reverend gentleman after shewing the inadequacy of the statute of Eliza- beth to the present state of the country, proceeded : — Let us imagine the able-bodied pauper of mature and advanced years, men of forty, fifty, and sixty years of age, who might be reduced to apply to the parish for relief — let us suppose these men com- pelled for the first time in their lives to attempt the manufacture of hemp and flax; — the spinning of thread ; — the winding, and carding, and working-up of wool ; — the men whose limbs and joints are grown stiff with hard work, endeavouring with awk- ward anxiety to imitate the skill of the practised manufacturer : the English Hercules compelled to exchange the spade for the distaff, and the reaping-hook for the spindle; and, saying no- thing of the effeminacy and decay of national strength and stur- diness which such a system would produce, let us ask ourselves this question : How and in what manner is the overseer of each parish to " dispose of the said stock," when thus rudely manu- factured, which he is directed to do by this self-same statute? Why, if he carries it into the market, he will have to place it by the side of the delicately wrought, and exquisitely finished manufactured goods of England — in strong contrast with the workmanship of our artizans; which, it is admitted by all, cannot be exceeded by the skill of any manufacturer in the whole world ! And if the said parish " stock" can be thus disposed of at all — at a price to the parish of only an hundreth part of what it cost that parish in the raw material and labour, then let me only ask another question, and that is, whether the spirit of rivalry and jealousy which already exists between the manufacturer and agriculturist is likely to be soothed, by bringing the two into open competition, and into open conflict with each other, and by establishing in every parish in England a rival establishment, to the injury of the depressed and discontented manufacturers of this country ? Let us then hear no more of the literal inter- pretation, and literal application of the statute of Elizabeth! But what has been the consequence of the absolute impracticability of carrying this antiquated statute into effect; of its having " out-grown the time," and the legislature in the mean time, with one slight exception, having sat down and done nothing towards remedying this evil ? Why a writer of great eminence, an indifterent and impartial person, shall answer this grave question. " The poor man, (says the Quarterly Review,) is driven to attend at the parish pay- table for the scanty pittance surlily doled out to him there, upon a scale of relief calculated barely to keep him with his children on bread alone. From COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 129 2d. to 3|rived of many of their resources; and have been reduced, as their sole subsistence, to the purchase of daily bread with the daily sti- pend of their labour. This has gradually deprived them of forecast and of every etlbrt that looks to futurity, and has left them to proceed in a spiritless continuation of daily labour, until sickness, misfortune, or increase of family, drives them into the workhouse, there to remain the life-pensioners of the public, and to leave their widows the nurses and drudges of the house, and their children to acquire idle and unprincipled habits, among the dregs of the parish. The landowner should be aware that this is ivaste committed upon his estate, in the most destructive and irreparable way. It is not the pulling down of an unnecessary hovel, the pre- mature repetition of a crop of wheat corn, or the ploughing up 138 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. a slip of pasture ground (the usual trivial objects of impeach- ment of waste) that is the subject of consideration ; but it is the relaxation of the nerve of the country, the destruction of the power of cultivating the land, the conversion of the strength and energy of a people into weakness and debility, and the exchange of the means of wealth and prosperity for sources of enormous and increasing expence. When the habit is acquired of applying to the parish, and the daily earnings of the labourer, without additional resources, are inadequate to the support of his family, no inducement is left for him to exert his best abilities and industry. If the amount is to be the same in all cases, how can it be expected that they will toil, merely to lessen the parish rates ? The lamentable fact is, that an indolent habit has been thus superinduced, and labourers do not exert themselves as they did formerly. Their spirit is so broken down by circumstances, that they grow reconciled to the idea of being paupers, and rely on parish relief, in pre- ference to the more valuable and more honourable exertions of their own industry. The alarming consequence of this is, that the poor's-rates through the country have increased, and are in- creasing, to a degree that may well excite the fears of all who are interested in the fate of the landed property. The evil of the extinction of that character of independence which the English labourer did once so pre-eminently possess, and by which the community has so greatly benefited. — There is too much reason to fear, that without great exertions from the landowners, to restore the labourer to his former honourable state ; either by assisting him with a cow, and ground to keep her, or by some other effectual incitement to exertion and in- dustry, they ivill not remain stationary at the present point of deterioration. Unless they improve, they will become worse. Their inclinations to indolence, and to those vices which are connected with it, will increase. Their demands upon their respective parishes will become more urgent; and the poor-rates will so increase, that tenants will no longer be able to bear the expences attendant upon the occupation of their farms. The proprietors may then discover, not only the difficulty and dis- advantage of occupying their lands themselves, but that, in a parish incumbered with paupers, the land may prove insufficient to the maintenance of the parocliial poor. The labourer who has properly, however small, has an interest in the welfare and tranquillity of his country, and in the good order of society. He who has no property, is always ready for novelty and experiment; and though gibbets and halters may for a time deter him from criminal and atrocious acts, yet COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 139 no motive exists to fix him in virtuous habits, or to attach him to that national prosperity in which he has no part, and to that constituted order of property which excludes him. from all pos- session. FORMATION OF THE TAUNTON AUXILIARY SOCIETY. [Froji TiiE Taunton Courier, Oct. 24, 1832.] On Wednesday last, a public meeting was held at the As- sembly-room^ in this town, to consider the propriety of forming a Society to promote the object of the " Labourers' Friend Society." The meeting was attended by E. A. Sandford, Esq., M. P., Dr. Blake, the Revs. W. P. Thomas, Mules, Bernard, and Chil- cott; A. Croose, Esq., Messrs. Bunter and R. Ball, and several other respectable persons of this neighbourhood. E. A. Sandfokd, Esq., M. P., (who was in the chair) said, that the grand principle of the Society was to give beneficial efTect to the industrious disposition of the labourer, by procuring for him those facilities of employment which would enable him to apply to his own benefit his unappropriated hours. The inten- tion was, not so concede any benefit to the poor man, as if he were an object of charity, but solely to assist him in exempting himself from dependence upon any resources but those which his own laudable habits might supply. A Society on a large scale, for this purpose, had been established in London, under the sanction of very powerful patronage; and it was desirable that its meritorious design slioukl be aided by the establishment of Local Societies of a similar nature throughout the kingdom. The system advocated by the Society had worked admirably, wherever it had been tried ; and wherever the plan had received a fair trial, a degree of moral inq:)rovement, and proper sense of social duty, had prevailed, which afforded the strongest hope that the condition of our peasantry may ere long be contem- plated with the happiest feelings by those who take a benevolent interest in their welfare. — (Applause.) The speaker then ad- verted to the difficulty in some situations, where the soil was rich, of procuring land for the experiment, and also to the ob- stacles of an advantageous cultivation from the absence of manure. It was in a great measure to supply the necessary 140 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. information on these points, that the Society was desirable. It was by no means eligible that the labourer should be ex- alted to the condition of a small farmer, or that undue no- tions of the proper station he occupied in society should be encouraged in him. All that was sought for was, to assist him in making him useful to himself and his family. The hon. gen- tleman then spoke of the advantages which had been manifested in different parts of the kingdom from the measures now con- templated, and alluded to a parish in Wiltshire, where the plan had, on an estate belonging to Mr Estcourt, realised immense advantages both to the poor and the whole of the parishioners, in the improved happiness of the former, and the total exemption of the latter from the necessity of supporting those who, but for the adoption of the system, would have been necessitous and dependent.* About half an acre let to the poor man, not at the extortionate rent of 8/. or lOL per annum for a plot of potatoe- ground, but at a fair proportionate rent of 30s. or 40s. an acre, would in general be found a sulhcient scope for the exercise of bis unspent labouring powers, after his daily toil. Mr Sandford then detailed the ])ro[)er process of cultivation, and mentioned that Sir T, Ackland was a decided patron of the Society, and had already experienced the benefits of the plan on his own estate. He should therefore move that the worthy boronet be President of the Society. Mr C. J. K. Tynte had also sent him a letter, in which he expressed himself heartily favourable to the object of the Society, and to which he was desirous of contri- Ijyting the best support in his power. (Applause.) The Rev. W. P. Thomas could bear testimony to the use- fulness which had resulted from experiments analogous to those in contemplation, within his own sphere of observation, He could speak confidently of the moral improvement effected within two years, on a man previously not of the best habits, who, with his family, was now in a comparative state of comfort and repute. The effect of giving occupation to his spare hours had been almost wonderful in the case of this individual, and a general improvement of tiie moral habits of the rural poor might be anticipated. It plainly appeared that by putting into spon- taneous requisition the physical powers of the labourer, the elevation of his moral character was a certain consequence. (Applause.) In supporting the Society, he should steer clear of all incidental considerations, and confine himself to the straight- forward object of benefiting the poor man by enabling him, in * Foe an account of Mr Ebtcourt's success we refer our readers to p. 71. of our work. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 141 being more industrious, to become happier, and, by being more usefjil to himself, to become auxiliary to the interests of, instead of being a burthen to, society at large. The Rev. W. Bernard testified to the groat advantages? which liad arisen to the poor of his parish (Clatworlhy) by granting small allotments of land to the poor at a low rent, and by otherwise encouraging their efforts to protect themselves and families from the pressure of want. lie considered the plan admirably calculated to enhance the virtuous dispositions of the poor. The Rev. W. F. Chilcott said, the object of tliis meeting I recommend with an assurance derived from experience of its inestimable utility. That experience, although not so extended as that of many others, still has been enough, thoroughly to convince me, of the incalculable value of the plan proposed by the Labourers' Friend Society. I wish to confine my observa- tions simply to what I believe to be the cause of the present distress among the labouring poor, derived from my own ob- servation amongst them, and I will at once proceed to state my humble opinion upon this important subject. That opinion is this; that the great source from which the agricultural la- bourer's poverty springs is, that he has no opportunity of em- ploying his capital to any advantage. Some may possibly smile at the idea of the poor man's " capital ;" but I can undertake to prove, nevertheless, that capital he has ; and that it is of value to him, in proportion to his exigences. The jioor mans capital is in his persona/ labour. He certainly has no other ; and if he be but permitted to use it fairly, he requires no other. All then that we, who advocate the objects of the Labourers' Friend Society, solicit you to co-operate with us in, is, merely to afford the poor man the means of bringing his capital of labour into the market, on fair terms, and at all times; merely give him the means, after his day's work is ended, of employing his leisure hours, which during a large portion of the year are many, to his profit, and yon will find that he will ask no more of you, either for himself or his family ; indeed he wants no more; he is entitled to no more. Hut we by no means propose, that the labourer should dedicate an hour to his allotment, out of that time from which he ought to receive wages ; for upon the regular wages of Saturday night, the poor man's main stay is to be placed. The question then is, what sized allotment will be most beneficial to him ? Why, the exact quantity, and no more than that, to which he can apply his capital; that is, all his surplus labour, after he has earned a day's wages from his employer. This it is that I call the poor man's capital ; and correctly so, too ; for what is capital ? Why merely the power 142 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. over labour. The great, object tlien wliich we advocate is, that the labourer's allotment shall be equal to his capital; and that his capital shall be equal to his allotment. I would say one word on the subject of the present bad system, by which the poor man is alone enabled to procure the potatoes upon which the labourer's family make, almost exclusively, their breakfast, din- ner, and supper, and for which they now pay after the enormous rate of 81. per acre: and that not for the whole year, but from about June to November : and for land which does not cost, with all its outgoings more than 21. per acre. This is a system which prevails to a considerable extent amongst the most needy order of farmers ; but it is a practice not countenanced by respectable yeomen. Such is the hard way in which the poor man is now obliged barely to subsist ; and I do trust that you who have hearts to feel, and judgment to direct, will make common cause with the Labourers' Friend Society, to improve the moral and physi- cal condition of the Agricultural Poor. Two years ago, during that very inclement winter, when the labouring classes were in such a state of excitement throughout the country, I resolved upon trying the allotment plan in my own parish. I accord- ingly convened a parish-meeting — laid before it my views, — but it was decided that the parish would not co-operate with me. I then determined to try my plan, independently of the parish; but I was told, that, within two years, my experiment would fail, and that I should have made the labourers both saucy and idle. My rector, the Rev. Mr Coleridge, approving oV my views on the subject, used his persuasion with the most respect- able tenant of the glebe, to give up one of the best fields of the glebe, in order to make garden allotments on a portion of it ; and with that kindness, with that benevolence, which has so strongly marked the whole of his conduct to every individual in his parish, immediately let this field in allotments, at the re- duced rent from 21. to II. 10s. per acre, giving up also his claim for tithes. The poor men gratefully received their boon, and in right earnest set to work on their allotments. The first year's labour was crowned with most bountiful crops, after the rate of two hundred bags of potatoes an acrej their management and their crops are generally good this present year ; and now, finding that their allotment is not equal to the surplus labour they have to dispose of, Mr Coleridge has taken another field, in order to enlarge their allotments, reducing the higher rent he gives for it of 2Z. 12s. per annum, to the average rent of the other lands adjoining, relinquishing also his tithes upon it. You will remember that it was augured at the parish meeting, that two years would bring the system to the ground. Will you believe the gratifying fact, that there is not, of those who attended that Meeting, more than one, that does not freely declare, that the allotments have been the greatest good that I COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 143 has ever been conferred on the parish ? This is hicfh, is flat- tering testimony to the heneficial results of the objects of the Labourers' Friend Society. Further, since the allotments have been let to the poor, two or three beer-houses have resigned their licenses ; the reason assigned being that they would no longer pay. Why was this? because the labourer had now other eno-agements in which he found more enjoyment and profit than he formerly did in those sinks of iniquity, those haunts of immorality. But do not suppose that I would wish to deny any poor man his pint of beer ; on the contrary, it would be one of my highest gratifications to see every poor man in the keeping of his little barrel of beer in the corner of his cottage, whereof he might partake with his wife and children when weary with his honest day's labour, in happiness and quiet. Many other instances could I adduce to show, that^ under my own expe- rience, the object of the Labourers' Friend Society merits well your most cordial support. I will now only say, that, in my own parish, I have found amongst the poor labourers the most lively gratitude to prevail, for their little parcels of land; I have found these allotments leading to praiseworthy labour — I have found that labour encouraging industrious habits, and I am findino- that those industrious habits are, day by day, promoting the poor man's greatest possible honest independence. In con- clusion, I would only beg to add, that I most sincerely trust that the labours of the Labourers' Friend Society will be carried on, in an entire reliance upon the Divine Blessing to crown them with success. Mr R. Ball and Mr Perry, an agent of the London Society, after expatiating on the advantages of the Society, the pro- priety of adopting which being fully concurred in by all present, various resolutions to that efiect were carried, and the Meeting- separated. ADDRESS TO THE FARMERS OF NORTH HAMP- SHIRE IN FAVOUR OF THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM. [From the Rev. L. B. Withkr.] Winslakc, Basingstoke, Nov. 29(1), 1832. I HAVE directed Mr J. Ridgway, of Piccadilly, to forward to you, as soon as possible, a little tract of mine, entitled " A Letter to the Farmers, &c." I am happy to inform you that I have now let about 120 acres, 144 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. in three or four parishes, to about 180 cottage tenants, in pieces varying from forty rods to two acres. I have had no difficulty in collecting the rents, which are of the same amount per acre that a farmer would pay, with the addition of rates and tithes, Tlie cottagers are grateful and punctual tenants; as proof of the value they put upon land, they are every year making ap- plication for an additional quantity ; so that if I could procure a supply within a convenient distance, to keep pace with the demand, I should, at tliis moment, have nearer 200 acres than 100. Their crops, principally by spade cultivation, have been very encouraging; some have had, of wheat more than 10 sacks to the acre, of barley 13, of beans 14, potatoes 150. As these allotments are scattered over a space of groinid full five miles in length, and as I do not reside at a less distance than four miles from the nearest of them, I am not so well informed of all the details of profit as I should be were I to live among them. The occupiers, however, all agree in saying this sys- tem is the best friend they ever had 5 they are all better oft' than they used to be; many, and others who never kept a pig before, keep one or two now for their own consumption, and feed several more than they want themselves for the neigh- bouring markets. In short, they are rising in the world; they see it is possible, by their own exertions, to raise themselves far above pauperism, and they are exerting themselves accordingly. I hope, in time, to introduce the keeping of cows among them ; this will not be an easy undertaking, as none of them are ac- customed to the thing* and this is not a grass country. If I can succeed in this attempt, the system will be to keep cows entirely on artificial food; in the summer (always in a shed) on vetches, clover, or cabbages, &c. &c. cut green, and in win- ter depending on roots, mangel wurzel, barley, parsnips, carrots, potatoes, with a little chopped hay, barley, grain, &c. &c. It has been proved by experiment, that cows kept in this way, protected from the weather, and freed from the necessity of labouring for their food (as they must do in most pastures) pay much better then when left at large in a state of nature. From the Pamphlet alluded to iv the foregoisg Letter, addressed to THE Farmers of some Parishes in North Hampshire, 1 CANNOT deny myself the pleasure of addressing a few words to you, to thank you for the kind assistance which I hear from the cottagers that many of you have afforded them, in the culti- vation of their little pieces of ground. Any little neighbourly favours of this sort which you may confer upon them, I shall ever consider as kindnesses done personally to myself; and for COTTAGE HUSBANltRY. 145 them, as such, I beg leave, on the present occasion, to return you my personal thanks. This kindly feeling on your parts does honour to your hearts; and, let me add, equal credit to your good sense; if acted up to^ it will, sooner or later, bring you profit as well as praise. In bettering the condition of the poor, you will thrive yourselves ; their cordial good-will will attend you, and worldly prosperity, to you and yours, will be the natural result of your kindness to them. " Live and let live,'' is a maxim not only of Christian duty, but one also of worldly prudence. Landlord, tenant, and labourer, are all, by a benevolent provision, mutually dependent each one on the others. We are all members of the same body, and must flourish or decay together. Without the tenant, the landlord can have no rent for his land ; without the labourer, the farmer can gain no profit from his capital. In short, witliout the active strength of the cottager, and capital to put that strength in motion, (with skill to direct its course aright,) no estate in this country is worth possessing. Our soil, of itself, would produce little but the heath and fern, the stunted thickets, and the scanty grass, which are all that we see in the yet uncultivated parts of it. It is by the cumbifted eftbrts of landlord, farmer, and labourer, that our countrv has become what it is. It is the landlord's improvements, such as farm buildings, cottages, fences ; the tenant's capital, such as farming implements, cattle, and money, ready to be paid as wages ; and, lastly, the labourer's arm ; that have produced, between them, all this variety of wealth that we see around us. These three united agents have created a garden, where, before, there was a wilderness ; they have made our native land a land of abundance, above every other, in all those things which con- tribute in any way to the comfort and enjoyment of life. These three agents, who have thus jointly been instrumental in creating this mass of wealth, have each an crpial right to their several just proportions of it. Accordingly, the landlord has his share in his rent; you have yours in the profits of your capital ; and the labourer, who, let us ever remember, has been an equally indispensable instrument of production, in all the wealth that has been produced, where is his share of this? You will doubtless answer, that he has it in the wages of his labour. The sole question then, is, huw is the cottage family to be supported, for supported they must be in one way or another? Whether as a burden or a blessing to their wealthier neigh- 14G COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. bours, depends upon ourselves. The means of effecting their support, in the best manner, is what we have to discover ; how, in short, to attain this end, thus decisively pointed out by the laws of God, and our country, with the most comfort to the labourer, and the greatest benefit to ourselves ? I will first state the expenses of the " parish allowance " sys- tem, and then the probable amount of your saving under another plan, leaving it to your own good sense to decide which is the best course, even for your own pecuniartj advantage. Other considerations in favour of a change of system may be sug- gested afterwards. By reference to the Overseer's accounts, I find that we pay annually, in the parish of Wootton, upwards of 1 ,2001. for the relief of the poor. The surface of the parish is about 4,000 acres :* so that 6s. an acre, on the average, is the tax we levy on ourselves for this object. On the best land, you, of course, pay more than this, and on the worst somewhat less. All this money is a dead loss to those who pay it. We gain no more interest for this expenditure, than if the 1,200Z. were every year tied up in a bag, and thrown into the sea; because it is spent, not in buying anything we want — that will be as va- luable to us as the money we gave for it — not in the fair wages of labour, for instance, but to enable, in obedience to positive law, the married labourer to live, who, if he had some other means of making up the difference which at present exists be- tween the sum his labour would fetch in the open market, and the sum necessary for the subsistence of his family, would be enabled to work for you at the market rate of wages, and that only. If then we can discover any mode of making up this difference, less expensive than that of giving the actual hard cash for this purpose, it will be so much clear gain to the rate-payers. Such a mode has been discovered, and has been carried into effect in various parts of the kingdom, with perfect success. It is simply that of letting small portions of land to the labourers, at the same rent any other occupier would pay. Under this system, the labourer, with the help of his family, is enabled to earn for himself that difference between his wages and the sum his wants require, which you are now compelled to pay him without his earning it. Ilis wife and children, at all times, and himself, at leisure hours, or for days together, when out of employment, will have a constant source of profitable * The population, by the census of 1831, was 847. Families employed in agriculture, 134; in trade, 27 ; occupiers of land, 17. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 147 occupation at their very door. There will be no waste of lime, the greatest waste of wealth to those to whom time is their sole estate ; every spare hour may be turned to a happy and gainful account : it will be spent profitably to the whole community, and more immediately so to yourselves; for while the labourer is thus earning well-deserved comforts for himself by his own extra work and that of his family, he is at the same time putting money into your pockets, or, what is the same thing, enabling you to keep what you have there for your own use, instead of spending it, as otherwise you must have done, to keep his family in idleness. I speak to men of understanding and sound sense, as well as of good feeling ; your answer, therefore, cannot be doubtful, when you recollect that the same system which is calculated to confer happiness on them, is, on that very account, by gradually rendering them independent of parish relief, most profitable to you. The old course, on the contrary, began in unintentional injustice ; in its progress it is making the receivers of the parish pittance, desperate ! the payers of it, beggars ; and will, if un- checked, end at last in the common ruin of both. The moving principle in this state of things, instead of being " Live and let live," and its results mutual good-will and mutual support, seems to be one of unmitigated hostility, unintended, indeed, but not on that account less baneful in its eftects. It looks like an unceasing contest between master and man, each striving to the utmost to get the advantage of the other; the one trying on how small a pittance human life can be supported; the other equally determined to give the smallest possible quantity of his strength that will entitle him to demand, of legal right, the pit- tance thus niggardly doled out. It is measure for measure: if the one pays like a miser, the other works like a sluggard ; little is paid for, less is done. In this unblcst struggle, all the kindly feelings of our nature become blunted in both parties : where force begins, affection ends. He who gives by compulsion, gains no thanks ; they who v/ork without hope, offer no willing service; their hearts are faint, their hands feeble; they are ruled by fear, instead of led by hope for themselves, and love for their masters; the inevitable consequence is, that though they ap- parently submit in sullen silence, they inwardly nourish feelings of discontent and resentment, and sometimes the stern purpose of a fearful revensre. Of this unnatural contest between two invaluable classes of society, the employers and the workmen, the event, whatever it may be, must be disastrous. Let us now turn to the other system. Here the hope of com- 148 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. fort and advancement is the moving principle of action, inste ad of the mere fear of punishment. Hence, a different and far more cheering face of things presents itself; all are happy in themselves, and in good-will towards their neighbours : the hope of a now attainable object, their bettering their own condition and that of their families, gives them a spirit and energy to labour, unfelt before. They are better workmen, because they are happier men ; hope restored gives life to the faint-hearted, strength to the feeble limbs. They work willingly, and there- fore with effect. One free labourer, who knows his earnings will be in proportion to his eflorts, does more, and does it bet- ter, than two broken-spirited paupers, who know they have little to gain by industry, little to lose by indolence. In either case they know thoy have a legal right to live; by idleness they can- not forfeit tliis (prison fare is sometimes a change for the better), and their utmost industry v;ill secure them no more. Hence the necessity of giving them a motive to exert them- selves. The cheapest, the most effectual, the most universally applicable way of doing this, is to afford them an ever-ready source of profitable employment at home, by letting them pieces of land to cultivate on their own account. By this method, the rate-payers, who complain of having more men to feed than they know how to employ, will gradually extricate themselves from this burden. The supply of labour may be reduced to an equality with the demand for it; in other words, the number of labourers wanting employment, may be made not to exceed the number wanted by the employers. For instance : suppose there is a parish with 100 labourers. Suppose, also, that, on the average of the whole year, there is, under the present system, profitable employment for only 75 ; 2.5 men must, therefore, be out of work, or (since they must be supported) employed at a loss, which loss falls on the parish in the shape of poor-rates. Suppose, again, that some certain quantity of land, of average quality, say four acres, cultivated principally by the spade, for wheat, barley, potatoes, &c. will employ a man the greater part of a year, and enable him, after paying rent, tithe and rates, to support himself and family for the whole year. Now take 100 acres of this parish (four to each of the 25 men, for whose labour there is no demand), and allot them, not in four acre pieces to the 25 men only, but in single acres to each of the 100 labourers; it follows, either way, that the supply of labour is brought down to an equality with the demand ; one-fourth of the labour of the parish, before un- profitably employed, is now profitably expended by each man at home ; the parish is relieved from the burden of the poor-rates, except that part of it which goes to relieve those who cannot roTTA€ffi HUSBANDRY. 149 work, — the widow, the orphan, and the impotent, — -and this forms, at present, but a small part of the whole.* You may ask, perhaps, why the 100 acres should be divided among the 100 men, instead of among the 25 only ; the result, the equalization of the supply and demand of labour, being the same in either case. It is in order to confer a benefit on the greatest number; to give all the labourers the advantage of occupying a little land on their own account, in addition to their wages, instead of leaving three-fourths of them with no other resource, in order to place one-fourth (and these, from their being first out of work, probably not the best characters,) altogether beyond the need of Avages. That a man is likelij to earn more in cultivating a j)iecc of land, proportioned to his means, on his own account, than by working on it as a hired labourer for another, may be easily shown; and to prove the fact that he actually does so, examples may be as easily adduced. Suppose the characters of occupier and labourer united in the same person, (the case of a man cultivating land, with his own hands, on his own account ;) his produce will pay him not only full wages for all the day's-Avork spent in raising it, but also the occupier's profit into the bargain. He is a capitalist as well as a labourer ; all the spare time and strength that he can bestow on his land is his capital, employed by himself, with as fair a prospect of as good a return as any other capitalist can have. While labouring for anodicr at the market rate of wages^ he is in the position of a capitalist who lends his money out to another, at the market rate of interest, and that return is all he has any right to expect. When labouring for himself, on the other hand, he is a capitalist who employs his capital himself, (instead of lending it to another to trade with,) and may, conse- quently, reasonably expect to receive not the mere market rate of interest, but the profits of trade ; not 4 per cent, but 10; not only the wages of labour, but also a farmer's returns. What thus a|)pears probable in theory is confirmed by expe- rience. Take the average value of a cottager's crops ; deduct from the amount the rent, tithe, and rates, and the expense of the seed, — all outgoings, in short, which do not consist imme- diately of the wages of labour ; divide the remainder bv the number of days' work enq)loyed in raising the crop, the result will show his daily earnings, while thus employed. I have done this with the cottage tenants of a gentleman la * In the parish of Wootton, not one-fifth. 150 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. the neighbouring- county of Wiltshire. This gentleman's name is Demainbray. He has published a detailed and very valuable account of the crops, expenses of cultivation, and profits of his cottagers.* The land they rent was, much of it, before it came into their hands, very poor ; their produce consisted of potatoes, wheat, barley, and oats. The average gross value of the whole, per acre, was, in 1830, 12L 17s. 2d. ; deduct the average amount of rent, tithe, rates, seed, and cartage of manure, 41. Is. 2d., the remainder is 8/. \0s. ; divide this by 33, the average number of days employed in raising each crop per acre, the result is, that they earned full 5s. per day, while working for themselves. What these men have done, other men may do. I will now mention one of our own cottagers, who, in the same way, has done credit to himself, and set a good example to his neighbours. I mention him in particular, because I have had a more exact account of his crops than of any other man's. Many, I know, have been equally industrious, and some equally successful Avith himself. George Brooker, of Upper Wootton, has this year rented about 40 rods of ground ; his crop is four bushels of beans, five bushels of barley, and sixteen sacks of potatoes. He considers the value of this, after paying out of it his rent, including tithes and rates, to be upwards of Al. 10s. Let us take it at Al. The labour be- stowed on the land to obtain this crop, was entirely that of his wife and family, and himself at leisure hours only. He did not lose a single day's work from his employers; consequently, the whole sum is clear profit to him. He estimates, however, that the labour done would have occupied him three weeks, had he performed it all himself at working hours : divide, then, the 80s. by the 18 days; the result is more than 4s. 5d. a day wages. The land, when he took it, was full of couch-grass, a wheat stubble in bad order. Next year, he considers, it will not require more than 12 days' labour. If the crop be as good as before, and there is no reason to doubt this, (his barley, beans, potatoes, and straw, all contributing to fatten his pigs, and, consequently, to give him a better supply of manure than before,) then the 80s. being divided by 12, will give him Qs. 8d. per day for his wages, while working for himself. Thus it appears, that the labourer, while working on his own account, earns more than while receiving the full wages of his labour from another em- ployer. It follows, that while he works for himself, he does not work for a bad master ; and this is the reason why all the 100 * The Poor Mmis Best Friend, a Letter to llic Marquess of Salisbury, by the Rev. S. Demainbray, Being the Mesulls of Twinty-four Years' Expe- rience. Published by J. Ridgway, 169, Piccadilly. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 151 labourers of the supposed parish should have some of this advan- tageous self-employment, instead of only a few of them, and they, probably, the least deserving of the favour. To convince the farmer that he will not incur loss by the cir- cumstance of land thus transferred to the labourer, the reverend writer thus proceeds : — By the census of 1831, the labourers of Wootton parish were 139 in number. To give the objection its full weight, I will allow that they eventually have one acre and a half each, on an average; and this quantity, if close to their houses, Avill be suffi- cient to produce the principal part of the good effect anticipated, the bettering of their condition, and the reduction of the poor- rates. This quantity will amount, in the whole, to little more than 200 acres ; the parish being 4000, it will be about five per cent, of the entire surface. Increase the quantity considerably, and still the farmer need not fear any diminution of his profits. Let us suppose a farmer, with a capital of 2,500^, in live and dead stock, and money, takes a farm of 500 acres, at a rent of 5001. a year: he pays for poor-rates, annually, at 6s. per acre, 150^, and makes a clear annual profit, deducting all the expenses of cultivation, of (say, even,) 2/. per acre, 1,000Z. in the whole. Then comes the allotment system, and he, obligingly to his land- lord, and wisely for his own interest, gives up 25 acres, to pro- mote the plan. Owing to his co-operation, and that of the other tenants, the system reduces the poor-rates in his parish, as it has done in others, 75 per cent. How stands now his ac- count with himself ? His farm is now 475 acres ; profits, as before, 21. per acre, 950Z. ; add to this 4s. 6d. per acre saved, on account of reduced poor-rates, 106^ 17s. 6d.; total, 1,056^ 17s. 6d., which shows a clear gain of 561. 17s. 6d. a year, from giving up 25 acres of the farm. If his profits are only 11. 10s. per acre, which is perhaps in general nearer the truth, then the gain, from giving up 25 acres, is, by a similar calculation 69/. 7s. 6d. per annum. The author, reasoning on the increased profit probably to be derived from the application of the capital to the remainder of the land occupied by the farmer, and touching on the good feeling engendered by the conduct recommended between mas- ter and man, observes : — Of the 200 acres, which would be sufficient, in the parish of Wootton, to emancipate all the able-bodied labourers from pauperism, if each had his land close to his own house; of this quantity not one fourth has been hitherto allotted, and much, even of this, is not near enough to the houses of the occupiers. 152 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. In conclusion, I beg leave to offer, once more, my sincere thanks to all of you, who have, in any way, by word or deed, co-operated with me in furthering this arrangement ; and my best wishes to those among you who have not hitherto seen its advantages. It has been truly gratifying to me, in my frequent rides through the little territories of 100 men, who are now happily proud each of his own narrow but fruitful domain, to hear many of them make grateful mention of the friendly as- sistance they have received in you, their employers.* Some of you, they tell me, have lent your barns; others, a cart and horses to draw their manure ; some your sheep, to tread in their wheat; others have given them help in various other useful ways. This is, indeed, as it ought to be. This is true Chris- tian charity; this is doing unto others as we would they should do unto us. These neighbourly free-gifts of good offices are not lost upon tliem ; they are grateful; and you, their bene- factors, are yourselves benefited by the friendly feeling towards you and yours, which you breathe into their hearts, by even a kind word spoken in season. For my part, I again repeat, I take all these things as favours done personally to myself, and in my own name, as well as theirs, again I thank you for them. Much, however, as I feel obliged to you who have been thus active in well-doing, still more are my grateful acknowledg- ments due to those among you, without whose good-will 1 could not^ with any effect, at present at least, have introduced the * Far diflereiit from tliis, you will be sony to hear, has been the conduct of some persons, in a parish (which shall, for their sakes, be nameless,) where the same system of allotments has been introduced. There, not many months ago, live or six men, who rented little allotments, but who had not yet occupied land a sufficient time, or in sufficient quantity, to make them in- dependent of the parish, were out of employment ; they applied to the overseers for work, who said they had no woik to give them. They, however, allowed them ().s. a week, with an express injunction that they should 7iot work on their own land. Thus, at least five families were supported for a month together in total idleness, and 6/. of other men's money was irrevocably thrown away by these ill-judging trustees of the parish purse. Had these labourers been allowed to work all this time on their own land, they would have gained by the crop enough to maintain them for, probably, two months of the fol- lowing winter; and thus the late-payers, by this advance of 61., would have saved a future outlay of 12/., turning their money to good account. As it is, however, their capital is wasted and gone, for thecrop it might have produced has no existence. Thus, tiicse overseers, by their hasty prejudices against allotments, have forgotten their duty to their fellow-parishioners and their own interest. _ They have been inifaithful to the rate-payers, unkind to the cot- tagers, injurious to themselves, 'i'hey have, uninteii'tionally, perhaps, shown themselves luijust, unneighlwurly, and unwise. You, my friends, who arc right-hearted and sound-licaded men, will mark this example, not to follow, but to shun it. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 153 plan at all. I refer to those occupiers who have given up from their farms the greatest part of the land which I have hitherto allotted to cottagers. You ail had this land under lease, for terms of years yet unexpired : you might, therefore, have re- tained j)ossession to the end of your respective terms ; you have voluntarily given up this privilege, and have thus showu yourselves long-sighted to your own true interests, and superior to the scruples of some of your neighbours. 1 should not be doing justice to you, were I to obmit mentioning your names, to your own honour, and as a worthy example to others. Mr VV. Pain, of Battlcdovvn ; Mr Wigg, of Woodgarston ; Mr John Taplin, of Worting-wood ; Mr C. Hide, of Breech ; and Mr Jayes, of Wootton. These are men, who, on this account, (by their actions they are judged,) deserve the thanks of landlords, the gratitude of labourers, and to be imitated by their neigh- bours; and who already, doubtless, possess what is more va- luable than all, the approbation of their own consciences. Mr Wither urges his suit — • If any of you are inclined to ofier an acre or two of the land you have adjoining to cottages, I will be answerable to you for the full rent that any farmer would give for it. THE ADVANTAGES OF A ROOD OF LAND. [Extract or a Letter iro.m Caftain H. B. Mason, R. N.] Altlcnham, Herts, J832. F iiAVK twenty-four tenants holding one rood each; there was not a single defaulter on the rent-day last IMichaclmas, and most uf them anxious to increase their portion, then only half a rood ; some few, however, gave up their lots, l)ecause I determined not to let loss than one rood. I do not regret this, as it draws a line between the industrious and idle ; this, however, is worth the consideration of those persons who lay it down as a rule, that, under any and every circumstance, a certuin (juantilij is necessary for the welfare of the labourer, without considering locality, soil, and the difterent degrees of industry amongst them. — My rules are few: Not to underlet. To lay on one load of good manure per rood, per annum. 154 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. A forfeit of 25. 6d. the first, and expulsion the second offence, for doing a stroke of work on a Sunday, or during their master's time. To keep the fences and paths in order. My rent is 10s. per rood, including rates, until the expence of fencing is cleared off; when it will be reduced to the actual value of the land. All differences to be settled by two umpires. Any violation of the rules to forfeit right of occupation, and the crop to be held as security for the payment of just demands. The foregoing rules are signed by myself and the tenants. I further offer a prize of IZ. per rood to the best, and 10s. to the next best cultivated lot, provided it has been worked by the tenant, his wife, and children under the age of 15. I propose to give a prize the following year for the best crop of grain. I have offered to pay for the manure where the tenant has a difficulty in doing so, on the security of the following crop; but I have not y6t been applied to. With my short experience I have proved that an industrious man, on a medium quality of land, may make a profit of at least 20^ per acre, not including his own labour after his daily work. Many persons will contend that labour should be calcu- lated ; in answer, let us suppose, that the man instead of wasting it at a public-house, makes his extra time and strength a present to his family, and digs half a pole every evening; then I say, calculate the value of such labour at what you will, it will be doicbly repaid by increased produce, and by the saving of his'alehouse exoences. H.B.M. ON FIELD GARDENS FOR COTTAGERS. [By Capt. G. T. Scobell, R. N.] The subjoined paper was read at the Annual Meeting of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society, Dec. 13, 1832, The thanks of the Meeting were unanimously voted to the writer, and the paper was ordered to be printed. In addressing to the Bath and West of England Society for the encouragement of Agriculture, Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, at its Annual Meeting in December, 1831, the COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 155 results of my experience in the application of the system of letting " Field Gardens" to the labouring: poor, I anticipated that the nature of the subject would secure for it courteousness and attention : but I was not without an apprehension that, amidst the many more direct objects which such a Society em- braces, its momentary interest would pass away. When I found, however, that this chord of benevolence, though touched by an unskilful hand, vibrated through the entire meeting, from its chairman to its humblest member, and that one tone of kindly feeling welcomed the object — when I saw around me the ardent, the powerful, and the opulent — gentlemen of more extensive means and greater capacity, whom I could only aim to equal but in desire, I formed the hope that though circumstances had for a moment placed me in the front, I should thenceforth have to greet others who would outstrip me in the course. It is not, therefore, from any peculiar importance which I attach to my own efforts, that I offer another communication; but as a return due from me to this Society, of which I have been so long a member, for its cheering reception of the cause of the poor, and as an act of justice to those lov/ly tenants, whose exemplary conduct it continues to be a pleasure to represent. Another year has rolled on, a year too when men's minds have been tried for good or evil, and it is an office of no ordi- nary satisfaction to be able to repeat, as their neighbour, that of the one hundred and seventy-eight occupiers of allotments with whom I am associated, and seventy of whom rent imme- diately from myself, each has honestly fulfilled the conditions — and to add, as a Magistrate, that none — no — not one, has been convicted of breaking the laws of his country. — What icill be, is ground ever strewed with doubt and controversy ; what has been, is a trodden path for example. But I will not forerun the details of my subject — comment should succeed results. I related in my former paper the establishment, and the pro- pitious promise of " Field Gardens" in the contiguous parishes of Midsomer Norton and High Littleton, situated in the hun- dred of Chewton in Somersetshire, and ten miles from Bath ; with the one I am connected by property, with the other by residence. I will now trace the progress of another year, which I am gladdened to say, has been a continuation of prosperous industry. As there has been, from local causes, some dissimilitude in the application of the conditions of occupation, I will first ask attention to the proceedings at Midsomer Norton. From motives on which I think hinge the durable welfare of 156 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, the design, tradesmen, as being above, and persons usnaUij re- ceiving relief from the parish rates, as being below the class intended to be benefited, are excluded. Previous, therefore, to entering on a new year at Lady-day, 1832, investigation was made, and it Avas found that one renter had entered into trade by setting up a beer house, another was about to remove his residence to an inconvenient distance, two had become irreclaimable paupers, whose near approach to that state had escaped attention at the commencement, and one died. These five allotments becoming thus vacated, were appropri- ated to five other candidates out of a list of twelve. To avoid recurring to this subject, I will here mention, that no casualty of any such kind has occurred at High Littleton. Notwithstanding the thirty acres of old pasture apportioned were of the best quality, it was deemed an expedient preserva- tive of the fertility of the land, to stipulate, that after the first year, not more than two-thirds of each allotment should be cropped to potatoes ; but from the unusual strength and fruit- fulness of the soil, the produce having reached in some cases one hundred and forty sacks an acre, and from the unexpected supply of manure, it was decided to relax this regulation for another year, but strictly to entbrce it hereafter. Small beds of other vegetables have, however, from preference, been culti- vated, and the last summer has diflused among the tenants a repetition of cheerfulness and abundance. The average of potatoes per acre^ has been quite 100 sacks, or 300 Winchester bushels. Let us now sec, by the test of figures, how the account stands between the labourers and their land. The number of occupiers is 132, and of acres 30. The average produce 100 sacks per acre. — Total 3000 sacks, or 0000 Winchester bushels, at 5s.6d. per sack £825 Rent at 21. 6s. 8d. per acre £70 Seed — 7i sacks per acre at 5s. 6d. . . 62 Llaulage of manure (400 loads), at Id. per pole — 13s. 4d. per acre . . Tithes, rates, and sustaining fences, charged at three farthings per pole — lOs. per acre 15 17 20 i> 167 17 6 Trofit- -not deducting the cost of labour £657 2 6 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 157 Profit per acre 211. 18s. Od. — an average of 51. Os. Ocl. to each occupier, or ten weeks' wages at 10s. per week. But it may be said that the price of labour, as if it had been paid in vioney, should be deducted. J will do so, although I know that it was by all performed at times wliich would other- wise have been valueless. The account will then stand thus : — Profit, including labour 657 2 fi Money value of the labour for the year, at Is. per pole, 7/. Os. Od. per acre 217 £440 2 G Add the value of the afler-crop, luniip. cabbage, &c. not noticed before, 3d. per pole — 2/. Os, Od. per acre 60 The profit, deducting the money value of lalioiir £500 2 G Profit per acre 16^ l3s. 4d., an average of 3/. 15s 9d. to each occupier, or 1\ weeks' wages at 10s per week. The question whether the labour, or a large poi lion (jf it, is not a clear profit as well as the produce, is a material one, and is worth our consideration.* If a man has constant employment and equitable wages, I know they are to him the best and surest means of sub-istence ; but how few, comparatively, are in this position ! The vicissitudes and sacrifices of the poor man's capital, his labour, constitute a large and often-ovei looked deduction. To the laws of (lod he habitually devotes one-sevenlh of his wealth — the sabbath is to him a day of suspension to his in- come, for, in it he does " no manner of work," — but the " six days" that are given to him to labour, from these too how large is the subtraction ! The rains and storms wiiirli chain him to his hearth for shelter — an accident to his liml)s — an occasional sickness, all these arrest his earnings ; and worse than these — too frequently, when his arms, his only trust, are * The poinilation of five or six parishes in this division is a mixed one of husbandmt'ii and colliers ; but as IMidsomer Norton and liigli Littleton to- gether contain 5()()() acres, and eacli class has been etiually included, a large proportion of the occupiers are of the former description. Now my reason- ing on every branch of the subject of " l-'ieid Claidcns" is especially in re- ference to those of the tenants, who are purely airricullural labourers, putting out of consiileration this local inixtine. INIy opinions and my observations, tiierefore, in the strictest sense, apply to districts in which there is no other tlian a husbandry population. 158 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. ready and willing for their task, and nature would smile on his toil — he is constrained, having done all " that he hath to do," to fold them in irksome privation, and meditate, surrounded by his dependent children, on his inability to give them that day their " daily bread." By the thoughtless and unsuflering, this may be called the ordinary course of events — the poor man's inheritance ; — but let the wealthy fundholder or landholder, whose riches and superfluities have no interruption — let him ask himself how the case would appear, if such causes occasioned similar cessations in his dividends or his rents — his comforts and his necessaries — should we then have no " complaining in our streets ?" — The candid possessor of these will say — labour is the origin of and perpetuates to me my wealth — at some period, however remote and forgotten, my progenitors, like this husbandman, were under the ban of toil — I will then adopt the converse of a well- known quotation, and out of my abundance " Grant to bim that which not reduces me. And makes him rich indeed." I here insert the copy of a letter on which I ground my cal- culation of the crop, and which also happens to present the strongest confirmation of the labourer's uncertainties, the re- source which he finds at such times, in his " Field Gardens," and shows, to those who want an additional motive, that its benefits extend beyond the poor. Mr Parsons is one of the Committee of Landlords, dwelling on the spot, and active and intelligent in its objects. " Midsomer Norton, Dec. 4lh, 1832. " My dear Sir, — In reply to yours of yesterday, I beg to say, that as far as I can learn from those I have spoken to, the average number of sacks of potatoes per acre is full one luni- dred ; and, from what I have seen, more than half of the land of each person is full of winter greens, &c. As a proof that it materially relieves the poor-rate, an instance occurred but yesterday. Marble Whittock, a man with a w^ife and six small children, came to me to request that the parish would pay his club-money, three shillings, due this evening, and saying that he had earned but 14s. for the last five weeks. I said, 'But how have you supported your family ? I dare say you have had money from the parish V He said ' No, I have not, we have plenty of potatoes and cabbage, and we have been living on them.' There are some instances where the persons who have the land have had relief from the parish, but it has generally been through meeting with accidents, and where they have had COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, 159 Is. they would have had .5s. had it not been for the 'Field Gardens.* " I am, sir, your obedient servant, "JOHN PARSONS." Before I offer further observations common to both parishes, I will mention some extension in tlie allotments at High Littleton. This parish includes two distinct villages and tithings, and residing here at a distance too great to make my own property, for garden occupation available, I met at the commencement, two years ago, a difficulty of all others the most formidable. In a project then considered so unpromising, no landowner would embark, or venture land for the j)urpose, though I would have become responsible. I happily found, however, i'roni an absentee landlord, Wm. Jones Burdett, Esq., a benevolent ac- quiescence to my solicitation. From him I rent the five acres, (wanting thirty poles) which I underlet in March, 1831, to twenty-seven of forty-five poor labourers in this part of the parish, as I have before described. Still unsuccessful in getting any ground in the other tithing, Hallatrow, the urgency with which the poor inhabitants there implored me, from time to time, to befriend them if possible, afforded an unanswerable proof of the high estimation in which the system is held by themselves. In the spring of this year (1832) I met in another non-resident landed proprietor, Col. Gore Langton, a similar courteous compliance to my request. He has let to me, in Hallatrow, three acres and three-quarters, which I have divided into nineteen portions, from twenty to forty-five poles, and which has increased my number in this parish from twenty-seven to forty-six tenants. The (juantity here is still inadequate to the demand ; but \ offer to these two gentlemen my best thanks for enabling me to dispense the blessings of allotments, to so large a portion of my immediate neighbours. The persons I admitted were all self-maintaining labourers, the rent 1/. 16s. 8d. ])er acre, and the other conditions similar to those before established, and the same undeviating conse- quences have followed. The owner of the tithes, Mr. Thomas James, has liberally continued them as s;rass land. In this parish I am unavoidably the sole administrator of the plan : and that I might confirm myself before I advised others, 160 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. I have not lost the incessant opportunity of watching the opera- tions, and especially to judge of the impressions of the occu- piers. I have therefore deferred the more minute details, until I now come to speak of my first twenty-seven tenants. It will be remembered, the land at Midsomer Norton is let at 2i.6s.8d. per acre: here though good, not being equally so, the rent is 10s. an acre less. I could not securely relax any condition for its preservation, and therefore enforced that which limits the planting of potatoes to two-thirds of each garden. Some mild efforts were required to effect this restriction, which hitherto, renting as they could, merely for the summer season, at a much higher price, they had been unaccustomed to. Explanation, however, and the persuasive, at times, of a packet of seed, prevailed, and this regular garden culture became con- tinuous across one-third of the whole space, except with three of the tenants, who, more enterprising, having communicated their intention of growing nothing but wheat the third year, I allowed to plant again wholly to potatoes. The degrees of horticultural skill were of course various, but gladness stimu- lated these new hopes of reward. Cabbage,* turnip, onion, and parsnip beds, with rows of broad beans, and in some in- stances, peas, and kidney beans, diversified the scene. This summer employment, and the weeding no longer demanding the father's strength, brought to its superintendence the mother's dexterity, with children of every size as assistants. Often did I count from thirty to forty of these dotted amidst the growing- stores, improving tliis promise of nature's bounties, such as had never yet entered their humble dwellings. Their language, their looks, all seemed changed ; civility and contentment re- flected from the parents, as from a mirror, over the counte- nances of their offspring, for nothing is more certain than that the young imbibe a sunshine or a blight in the heart, according to the influences to which they are subjected. If in no other view, and putting aside more instant conside- rations, here is an ample stimulus, a self-rewarding motive, for all who can to unite in this means of bettering the condition of the labouring poor, that their cliildren may, with their wealth, inherit the guidance of a happier population. Occasional selected vegetable offerings, some of the finest description, were brought to my house ; and I had rather to repress than to excite their supposed obligations. So new to them is it to be thus dealt with, that, in their joy, they seem to forget that they pay the equitable value of their tenure. The * Of cabbages, full 15,000 were grown in tlie summer. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. Idl fields are now plentifully planted with winter produce of every species. But I must (juit this fascinating topic, and hasten to a matter essentially affecting the extension and the durability of the system. I shall he asked, after they had thus gathered to their garners "the kindly fruits of the earth, so that in due time they may enjoy them," did they pay the price ? To this I answer Yes— yes; of the 178* tenants, here and at Midsomcr Norton, not one failed to do so — aU paid to the uttermost fm thing. When Michaelmas came I pur|)osely deferred appointing- the day for receiving my rent, but ihcir recollection of the con- ditions was not to be thus evaded. I had a kind of deputation of two or three, to tell me they were prepared, and to ask when I wished them to come. 1 took the opportuuity, when thus assembled, to thank them for their orderly and piuictual be- haviour (for no quarrel or dispute, but a trifling one as to limits, has occurred), and to impress on tliem the probability, that in their hands is ])laced the welfare of their fellow-labourers in surrounding parishes, as on ihcir conduct licre may depend the diffusion or hindrance of the plan. By a coincidence, at the very period my hall was filled with these humble tenants, Mr Perry, the Agent of the Labourers' Friend Society, whose zeal for his mission had searched me out, was with me; thus bringing together, under the same roof, the theory and the i)ractice of the allotment system. If I may judge of the impression of others by the overflow- ing exclamation of one, the benefit of these allotments cannot be loo highly appreciated. Meeting on the road by chance with William Sage, one of the most assiduous and intelligent of the number, after some general remarks, I said, " Well then. Sage, I hope you all find the comfort of your ground?" "Com- fort, sir," answered lie with emphasis, *' we are in heaven now, as I may call it, to what we were." I have omitted to mention that to the six best cultivators of their ground I gave a strong wrought-iron rake, each stamped with the words " Field Gar- dens," and 1 think articles of use, as wheelbarrows, tools, and seeds, are preferable, for the purpose, to rewards in money. Among the unfavourable forebodings of the precariousncss of the " Field Gardens," one only has given me any solicitude. I have never distrusted the disposition of die poor to be honest and industrious, but their ability to furnish suflicient manure to uphold even good land, against an exhausting succession of vegetable and grain crops. As a measure of momentary at- * Three of the tcMiants are widows ; and arc lluis eiial)led. wiili the assist- ance of their children, to mciintaui themselves without parish aid. M 162 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. traction, it offered to me no inducements, for all such expedi- ents ultimately recoil on their projectors. As an injfluence, therefore, on the owner of the land, to select a field contiguous and easy of access, and with a view of remedying the labourer's general difficulty in the transit of his manure heap, and also as an incitement to its provision, arrangement was made, that the haulage of all the manure provided, whatever the quantity, should be performed at the cost of the owner at Id. per pole; the man, therefore, with an allotment of twenty poles pays annually 20d., and thirty poles, 30d., and so on. I am sure this regulation has conduced to its object with both parties. I soon perceived I had underrated the expedients of the poor. In addition to their usual accumulations of litter and ashes, and from pig-sties, some purchased soil, or got per- mission to dig or collect it on the pieces of waste, and mixed a compost of lime and earth, and almost all trained their chil- dren to make the gathering of manure, in baskets or diminutive carts, a frequent pastime, and the lanes and highways have thus become a school of juvenile industry. In the first year, at Midsomer Norton, the whole quantity provided and hauled was four hundred loads, something above thirteen loads per acre, and, as if the greater requirement se- cured the desired result, the supply at High Littleton has been seventeen loads per acre, and I find it is, in both places, likely to be exceeded this year. When I speak of loads, I mean a full sized cart, and the farmer with whom I contracted for the ■work, here, expressed his astonishment at the number, and far from exulted at the sufliciency of the remuneration. There is one misapprehension most necessary to be guarded against by the friends of the system, which is, not to be mis- led into a supposition, from the zealous countenance which it has attracted in the newspapers and periodicals, that its estab- lishment is further advanced than it really is, and therefore to slacken their efibrts. The practice of allotments is yet, like distant and warning beacons — far and wide between — not one parish in fifty, perhaps, as yet participate in its benefits. I have searched for information, and calculated from every available source, especially from the excellent focus of intelli- gence on this head, " Facts and Illustrations," a monthly tract, published by that philanthropic institution, the Labourers* Friend Societ, yand of the 32,382,400 acres which England contains, I cannot trace 1200 of these to be devoted, properly speaking, to this purpose. But I will suppose the quantity to be 3000 acres, and still what an insignificant proportion it pre- sents. If the rental of these is 6000/. per anmun, what a COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, lua contrast to 7,5U0,000/. levied yearly, and chieliy from land, for poor-rates!* Though I thus would counteract supineness in the lookers- on of the design, I wish not, in the slightest degree, to dis- courage. The slowness of its growth, may be the means of its perpetuation, and schemes which draw to themselves the most instant occurrence, are not always the most stable, 'i'he events around me here, though in some stages beset with difli- culties, present, on the other hand, much to incite. The division of Somersetshire in which I live, (the united hundreds of Chew and Chewton) has in it twenty-six parishes, about 40,000 acres, and 17,932 inhabitants. Two years ago, in this space and population, not one single rood was let to the labouring poor on the system of whicli I then became a prac- tical advocate. Now there are 52 acres occupied by 245 families, in five of these parishes, (two of them solely agricul- tural), contiguous to each other, and the subjoined table cannot but cheer others in the undertaking. FIELD GARDENS ESTABLISHED IN IHE DIVISION OK (•HE\\T0> '_ .o ^ O 6 0) • ■g ^ z ^ "s ■& ■s'^s. Owners ol Under Parishes. S 2 5*0 3 -^ c| ■^ o S'5- t. ^ =: SS8 the Land lot to Field wliose manage- > c 3o jiO a 5 3 9.S w Gardens. ment. c-i --^ < Z ;2: ■= CaptScobcU Capl Savage A Com- VV. C.James niittee of Alidsomer Nor- ton Maicli 1831. 2900 3800 30 132 804 esq. (S: other landed Pro- jiriolors. Land- lords, .Joites Bin- delt,csq.and Capt. Higli Littleton IMaich 1831. IJII 1150 8^- 4G 275 Col. Gore Langton. Seobell. 3811 4950 38A '178 1079 Stone Easton ... Maicli 18:32. 419 4 IG Lady Ilip- pisley. An agent Einbonow ;\Iaicli 183-2. 207 H G Ditto. Ditto. Clntlon Now begin- ning. 1287 8 45 Lord War- M-ick. Rev. Mr. Johnson. Tot, lis j724 -1950 52 245 1079 ♦ No/e — All Labourers at High Littleton .nnd Rlidsomer Norton, being eligible otherwise, were accepted tiilhouf. reference 1o prrvioits chciracler. ' I think it hut fair to slate, that as from the good conduci oftheoccn- l)iers the tenth rule and condition of occupation, as published in my former remark, has never been required to be acted on, and as, in any case, it is severe, I recommend, should any person wish to take these conditions as a model, that this particular one should be altered in favour of the tenant. 1G4 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. This, then, is the animating advancement of two years, and I have strong hope that a little time will add much to the catalogue. I have refrained from remarking on any proceedings of this kind beyond this division ; but within ten miles of me, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and Colonel Horner, are powerful patrons of the object. From my connection, by landed pro- perty, with the parish of Brewham, fifteen miles from hence, near Bruton, it is my intention, before another season arrives, to apply a few acres to " Field Gardens" there, a purpose in which, I believe, I shall have the co-operation of a principal resident landowner. I invite any person, and particularly such as are balancing the merits of the plan, to view the allotments I have described —to question the humble cultivators of them, and to gather from that surest source, whether I have depicted their salutary consequences too favourably. Neither the indifiereut or the indecisive can fairly reach a right conclusion, without making, imder due precautions, an experiment for themselves, or dis- tinctly proving its failure, under such circumstances, in other cases. To those who admit the principle, and are solicitous to prac- tice it, the consideration arises, among various recommenda- tions, how best to carry it into operation. I have not proceeded thus far in studying the poor man's position, without having forced on me some consequent reflections ; and as the quantity and quality of the land, the conditions for its occupation, the class of tenants, and the mode of its superintendence, are each matters of much moment, I will offer an abridgement of some commentaries which I had prepared on these topics, but which are too extended for insertion here. No arrangements will apply to all places, and where pecu- liarities of soil, population, or customs exist, their local adap- tation must be materially influenced by them. Now, whether the satisfaction and security of the owner, or the encouragement and welfare of the occupier, are considered, I hold, that in the same proportion that the land is of the best degree, the dura- bility of tiiese will be affected. Two roods of inferior land may have the same precise stamina in them, as one rood of the most fertile — but it is strength diffused iu the first — in the other concentrated. The rent of each may be the same, but the profit of the better will be two-fold. The case as respects manure, that essential to every soil imder perpetual crops, is still stronger. If a labourer has ability to provide it, doubled with the double space it might be well— but any given quantity COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 165 spread over a rood of good land, or on twice tlic extent of a worse quality, will operate in an inverse ratio, — that is, it may fully balance the exhaustion in the one case, and be almost non-effective in the other. I have a proof before me in High Littleton and iMidsonier Norton, though the land is not very dissimilar. The rent of the latter, from its comparative quality is lOs. an acre more than the former, but I could prove that these 10s. add .00s. to the value of the produce. It is obvious then, that the quantity of each portion must be governed by the quality, and should be that which is enough to provide a supply of vegetables for home consumption; for to make all our labourers salesmen, as gardeners, would be unavailing. I find forty or forty-Hve poles of strong land, would furnish a family of nine or ten persons. The occupiers of the allotments shoidd be those who, with their assistance, can ■usually maintain themselves, excluding irretrievable paupers. The labourer will thus be taught to feel that, although he is of the lower, he is not of the lowest order. It is more easy to cut off the supply of a settled evil than to remove it. Paupers should be left to their legal guardians, the overseers, who, under a specific Act of Parliament, can take land on lease for their employment. Let me not, however, be misunderstood — I do not mean by paupers those under temporary afflictions, or without work, receivino- occasional relief. As to tradesmen, if there is land enough, they may be included, but not until every day-labourer is supplied.* The next question is, the condilions of occupation. — And, first the rent should be exactly that which the ground is worth to a farmer for its usual cultivation, that it may have the charm of disinterestedness, without the garb of charity. At High Littleton, my tenants imagining (wliich was true) that, from some vuiexpeetcd contingencies, I had been a loser in consequence, osked to be allowed to repay me. The occasion was accidental, and not in the terms we had signed ; but had not the charge faiily devolved on me, though it was more than recompensed by eliciting such a desire, I should have permitted tliem to do so. There should be a regulation to sent dilficuUics of the times. Lord Cork alluded to the fact of the Right Rev. President having adopted, for seven years, with success, the system he recommended. By this his Lordship had enabled two hundred honest tenants to maintain themselves, without suflering the dis- grace of pauperism ; only two persons out of the whole, and those I COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 175 upwards of seventy years of age, had received aid from the parish. W. P. Brigstock, Esq., M.P., moved the second resolu- tion. He did so with great pleasure, from a full conviction that the Institution would prove of great benefit to the countrv. We had here no theory to canvass; the business before us was short and simple; — we need not go far for the exercise of bene- volence. We should find deserving ol)jccts of our care and attention close to our own doors — the people to whom we were . indebted for every blessing with which it has pleased God to prosper their labours. After the able elucidation of the subject given by Mr Perry, ir would be useless, if not intrusive, of hini to further occupy the attention of tlie Meeting. But he wf>nl(l say that, if it be of importance to raise the physical condition of the labourer, and thereby to render him receptive of moral influence — if it be of importance to draw into the links of respect and affection, the wealthy and poorer classes, and strengthen and perpetuate the unity and harmony of mankind, by the bond of mutual good offices, then would this Society be of the greatest value to the nation ; and believing these to be its intention and tendency, it should ever have his cordial sujiport. Dr Paurv, although he was not acquainted personally witli the system or its details, yet the evidence of its utility to the moral and physical condition of the labouring community v/as quite conclusive. If we increased the means of happiness among the poor, the whole nation was thereby benefited, it has often been truly observed, that on the happy condition of the labouring people the security and prosperity of the stale depended ; and there was not a greater proof of good government than the well-being of that important part of the community. A reference to historical facts would show, that the most happy rondition of the people had ever depended on their having kunj. In feudal times, the villeins had land to cultivate for their own use; this reconciled them to their slate of servitude, and at- tached them to their native soil. The distress of the people had increased with the desertion of the land, the destruction ol" small farms and cottage lands ; and the only way to reinstate the labourers in their former happy condition, was to adopt the plan of olden times, recommended by this Society. 'I'iiis was a reform which was no innovation, except as to its extent and per- manency; it was a reform of no questionable character, it en- eroached upon no privileges, it deslroycd no interests, it raised the moral and physical condition of the labourers, it gave them a stake in the country, and motives to industry; it would in- 170 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. crease the produce of the laud, and unite all classes of society in one common bond of mutual interest. Capt. ScoBELL had often met the poor face to face on this subject, and truly happy was he then to meet so respectable a number of the rich, many of whom, no doubt, had seen the good results of the system they had met to advocate. At a time, fresh in all our recollections, when the midnight incendiary had banished all confidence and security, influenced by the ex- ample of his Lordship in the chair he called together his friends; and, in a parish of 4000 acres, they arranged to let thirty to the poor — they gave them the best land, and that which was most conveniently situated, at the farmer's rent. They gathered then around them the rural population of various shades of character, their object being to reclaim, as well as to reward; but though there were many sullen, and perhaps some vicious characters among those, who had no motives to industry and virtue, he was happy to say, that they were now a happy and contented and respectable tenantry. — Of 178 tenants, not one of them had failed to pay his rent at the day appointed, and not one had been committed by a magistrate, for a single oflTence, The plan adopted was a very simple one ; the rules are printed in large type, and each cottager has a copy posted in his kitchen. The three classes of landowners, tenants, and labourers, are like a three-strand rope, — when all are firmly entwined, it is strong, and will support the state, but when one is broken, the other two will soon be torn asunder. (Applause.) The plan adopted in his parish had now extended to five ad- joining parishes, and 245 families were thereby placed above the fear of distress. He strongly urged the necessity of letting the labourer have good land ; and with regard to the capability of the occupiers to manure it, he could only say that the occupiers of the land he had been the means of letting, had furnished in one year 400 cart loads. He recommended, too, that those who let land should stipulate to do all the haulage at a cost just to cover the expences, and then the owner would have an interest in seeing it well done, and the occupier would be enabled to comply with his wishes. — He could only say that the benefits of the system were clear and indisputable ; and if good for a parish, it was good for a county, or a kingdom. Lord Ashtown, Sir W. Cockburn, Rev. W. D. Willis, Rev. — Mount, l\Ir Webb Hall, Capt. Pole, and several others ad- dressed the Meeting, and its unanimous concurrence in the reso- lutions led to the establishment of a permanent Committee in Bath, of which the venerable Diocesan is President. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 177 STATEMENT RELATIVE TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE PAUPER LABOURERS, IN THE PARISH OF MELKSHA.M, WILTS. [Communicated by J. I-. Philmps, Esq.] -Alelksliam, January f)\, 183^. L\ .laniiarv, 1830, a subscription was entered into, amounting to L54/. 3s. 8(Z. for the purpose of" trying, on a small scale, how far the employment of a given number of labourers in the inhivalion of land, principally by spade husbandry, would be successful, on the principle of paying the labourers so employed sufficient weekly wages to prevent the necessity of their receiv- ing any parochial reliet. This subscription having been placed at my contiol, I pro- ceeded to rent lOf acres of rough pasture land, with clay sidisoil, which had previously been overgrown with rushes, and was of little value, having been oHered to be let (without breaking up) atl'i*'. per acre, but no tenant ofreretl. For this land I paid, and continue to pay, 23s. per acre, and all other usual tenant's charges. On proceeding to work, I selected four labourers who had been dependent wholly on the parish ; one of them having six children, one five children, and the other two four childriii each. These men proceeded to dig oi acres of land, for which they were paid 3d. per perch, and at the end of March, the land was hacked at an expence of 5s. per acre, and then sowed with teazel seed. Tlie remaining five acres of land, were breast plouglied and burned, at an expence of 50s. per acre, then dug at 2^d. per perch, and planted with potatoes. The teazel crop was proceeded with till August, 1831, (being a year and a half crop, cultivated entirely by manual labour,) when the teazels were cut; having the assistance of four extra men, at high wages, during the teazel harvest, a period of six weeks. After being properly dried, the teazels were laid by till the winter months, for tying and making into staves or bundles, which would have occupied the four men about i'our- teen weeks, but having now taken more land, other men who were accustomed to it were employed to tie the teazels. The potatoe crop was sold in the ground, in August and September, at an average of l'2l. per acre. The potatoes were of an early sort, which allowed the land to be cleared by the beginning of 178 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. October. It was then levelled and cleared by the four labourers at an expence of li. per acre, and the seed-wheat, hoed in ■without ploughing, at 6s. per acre, by the end of October. The digging furrows and trenches, cost about 2s, 8d. per acre. In March, 1831, finding the plan had hitherto been success- ful, I rented 13 acres more of the same description of land, but rather poorer, at 20s. per acre ; 9^ acres of which had been ploughed for some years, the remaining 3| acres was rough sown grass land, which was breast ploughed and burned, and then dug at 3d. per perch, and sowed with wheat in the fall. The 9i acres were sowed with teazels, in the same way as the first piece of land. My constant labourers were now increased to five, having taken another pauper with four children ; but, occasionally as more were wanted, the average number of labourers employed in out- door labour, from this time, has not been less than seven. In March, 1832, I increased my quantity of land, by taking ten acres more of very poor arable land, at 20s. an acre, making in the whole 33^ acres. The general course of cultivation has been to sow wheat after the teazel crop comes oflT, the land being hoed and dragged at an expence of 16s. per acre, and the wheat hoed in without ploughing, at 5s. 6d. per acre. Last year, when the wheat crop came ofl^, in order to keep up the heart of the land, I had winter vetches sown in October, on part of the wheat-stubble, and they are now in a healthy state, and will be dug in by the labourers in June, and the land then fitted for another course of crops. The remainder of the wheat-stubble was manured by the soil obtained from the scavenger of the town of Melksham, being about one mile and three-quarters distant. There are now five men constantly employed during the'winter months, in tying teazels, in addition to those working out of doors, making ten in the whole : during the harvest some addi- tional hands will be required. At the time of my taking the last quantity of land (March, 1832,) finding the capital insufficient, I borrowed 100/. at 5 per cent, interest, and on the 31st of December, 1832, after a moderate valuation of the stock, &c. the debts being all paid, the assets amounted to 326Z. 5s. 6(1. being a clear profit of 72/. Is. 10 J. on the experiment of three years. The whole has been under the management of a competent person, at a salary of 12/. a- year, by whose assiduity and at- COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 179 tention the plan has so far succeeded. The manager has always sent an account of the work done weekly by the la- bourers themselves, Avho were paid the amount by the Trea- surer. When the men first came to work they were much in debt, which is now paid off. They have never received any relief from the parish, excepting four of them for a week or two duringthe frost in January, 1831.* At first it was difficult to induce them to do a sufficient quantity of work; now they arc equal to any labourers in the parish. Formerly they often came before me either complaining of the parish-officers, or being the subjects of complaint themselves ; now they are become orderly and well-behavedj and are able to keep a pig in their stye. Of late the men have had small portions of land let to them at a fair rent, which has not been found to interfere with their usual work, while it has added much to their comfort. To prevent any failure, which might arise from others attemp- ing a similar plan, I should state, that land was taken by the parish at the same time, to be cultivated by paupers, who were paid, I believe, according to the pauper's scale, under the direc- tion of the overseer, which culture was obliged to be given up, after incurring great loss; the produce not even paying theexpences of the rent, taxes, &c., tliough the labour was had for nothing, the men having been paid their wages from the poor's-rate. It appears to be essential, therefore, to the success of such an undertaking, that an active intelligent person, and, if possible, one who would feel interested in its success, should be em- ployed as superintendent, who should be paid for his trouble, and who should be in no way connected with parish-officers. EXAMPLES OF THE UTILITY OF LAND TO THE LABOURERS. [From Francis TRENCir, Esq.] About the middle of last September, I saw a field at North Stoneham, on the estate of Mr. Fleming, containing six acres, chiefly laid out in quarter-acre divisions. Two allotments, how- * On further inquiry, I believe the man with six children did receive some parish relief when he came first ; he was taken knowing him to be a confirmed drunkard ; after trying him for nearly a year, he proved incorrigible, was discharged, and another pauper taken in his place. 180 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. ever, consisted of an acre each. One of these was apportioned, rent free, to a family in such peculiar circumstances, as to deserve special notice. It consisted of a man and his wife and ten children, seven of whom were too young to earn anything for themselves. In conversation with the father and mother, and with others who had long known them, I understood that, previous to the occupation of this land, they had been in the lowest state of poverty, and had been accustomed to receive from eight to fifteen pounds a-year from the parish. I under- stand that the family, at the tinie to which I allude, received no parochial aid whatever, and was entirely maintained by the man's wages as a labourer, with the produce of the one acre allotment, and the small garden. Both the parents and children appeared extremely cheerful and independent. They attributed Iheir present state of comfort entirely to the tenure of the land. Mr Parsons, the intelligent steward of the estate, mentioned to me that he had himself made accurate experiments on the subject of spade-cultivation, and assured me that the produce resulting from this system far more than compensated for the additional expenditure on labour. He also told me, that a clergyman, in Northamptonshire, was now allotting the whole of his glebe land, amounting to l.OO acres, in small portions, for the benefit of his labouring parishioners. I proceeded afterwards to Hursley, where Sir William Heath- cote apportioned a field of six acres in quarter-acre allotments. The plan was begun no earlier than last March, but the whoh- field has now the appearance of a trim garden, tilled with the utmost care, luxuriant with various produce. The field is in the shape of a parallelogram, and offers an ornamental appear- ance from the regularity of cultivation— from the rows of horn- bean cuttings, which "form a narrow but definite boundary between each separate allotment — and from the great variety of vegetable produce raised. Turnips, onions, cabbages, French beans, broad beans, lettuce, and potatoes, rise in abundance. A gravel walk is shortly to be made round the field, and it will prove quite a model to labourers' gardens. A few days afterwards, I saw a field near Acton, the pro- perty of a ladv, who has let it out in small divisions to her poorer neighbours. They have derived much benefit from the system, and been most punctual in their payment of rent as well as of a small sum advanced to them for commencing operations. Not a spot of ground is wasted. One of the occupants had trained French beans along the paling which formed the boundary of his division. Another was industriously occu- pied in conveying water from a considerable distance for the benefit of his "cabbages during the parching weather. In some COTTAGE IirSBANDRV 181 of the allotments, from which potatoes had been removed, a fresh crop of vegetables had been immediately planted. Thus industry, in various ways, is called forth. The men work for themselves, which thev can seldom do, from the inability to hire land in small portions. Except from benevolent motives, few will attend to the trouble of having their ground occupied by such small tenancies, however advantageous to the labouring man. When, however, the system is adopted, no slight advan- tages result. The ground is tilled at times when the occupant would otherwise be totally idle. He is enabled to derive benefit from the labours of his family, in the lighter tasks of agricul- ture. Thus the produce is virtually clear gain, and the labourer can appropriate to other purposes that portion of his earnings which would otherwise be spent on vegetable food, and he is enabled to consume a large portion of healthful nutriment, at the cheapest possible rate. Neitlicr must we forget the bene- ficial consequences, of a moral nature, resulting from the in- dependent proprietorship of even such a trifling amount as the annual crop raised on the smallest portion of the soil : nor is it an unimportant matter to have children early in life accus- tomed to industrious occupation, for the direct benelit of their parents. Shortly after having visited these few instances of the allot- ment system, I received a letter from a resident near Man- chester, who had been bred as a working mechanic. 1 shall transcribe a short passage. lie says, " I am glad to see the nobility espousing the cause of the poor, and still more in beholding the practical steps they are taking for the ameliora- tion of the condition of the indigent labourers. I know too well how many wretched beings there are who commit crime through dire necessity, and who would be industrious and moral members of the community, if remunerating and perma- nent employment could but be found for them." At the present moment a considerable anxiety pr(;vails amonu" the mechanics of the crowded manufacturing towns, to change their unhealthy and uncertain occupations for the cultivation of the soil, when- ever an opportunity shall be oft'ered, to them. f have heard the following objection raised to the allotment system — that in Ireland the poor have land, and yet arc wretched; — therefore, if we give them land in England, we shall bring England to tlic same state as Ireland. The circum- stances ol' the two countries arc, however, so entirely and totally diH'erent, that they admit no comparison whatsoever. In lie- land, the occu|)ation of the lantl is generally the sole de- pendence — in England the allotment is intended as an addi- tional means of profit to hired labour. Above all, in Ireland, 182 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. there are no poor-laws ; and rents evidently ruinous to the cul- tivator s^te given for the smallest patches of soil, as the sole means of existence, there being no manufactures to employ the people, no adequate demand for hired labour, and no provision for the destitute. What can be expected but misery and con- fusion ? How can we for a moment compare the two countries ? In Ireland, however, I have also had the satisfaction of wit- nessing some most cheerful instances of the benefits resulting to the labouring poor, from judicious care and superintendence, instead of the neglect with which the labouring peasatitry are too often left by landlords and agents. The facts are connected with the allotment system, inasmuch as the cultivators till the land for their own benefit. I shall mention two instances, one on the estate of Mr Vandeleure, at Clare, another on that of Lord Clonbrock, in Roscommon, under the care of his agent, Mr Birmingham. It would be impossible on the present occasion to do any justice to these two most interesting establishments. I can only hope that any person inclined to visit them, or even to examine the principle there reahzed in behalf of the destitute and there- fore disturbed peasantry of Ireland, may feel equal pleasure to that experienced by the writer, in a personal observation of success, and possess more influence in recommending the adop- tion of similar measures. FORDINGBRIDGE LABOURING MAN'S FRIEND SOCIETY. [From Mb, G. C. Rawlekce.] Fordingbridge, February 22nd, 1833. After the riots which took place in this and many other dis- tricts, in November, 1830, it occurred to a very benevolent individual, then living in this town, but who, I lament to say, is since dead, Charles Pargeter, Esq., M. D., that a great deal might be done to improve the condition of the poor man, by allowing him to rent a small allotment of land; and in order to carry his views into effect, he proposed that a society should be formed for that purpose. A public meeting of the landholders, occupiers, and inhabitants of the town and parish was therefore called, which was most respectably attended, when it was resolved that a society should be formed, to be denominated the i COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 183 " Labouring Man's Friend Society ;" and that any person letting three acres of land, or subscribing a loan of \l. should be con- sidered a member. Eyre Coote, Esq., and John Coventry, Esq., two of our largest landholders, kindly became Patrons ; the Rev. Joah Furey, Vicar, Chairman ; Major Brice, Treasurer ; Dr Charles Pargeter, and myself. Honorary Secretaries ; with a Committee of Management. As the undertaking was quite new in this neighbourhood, and as but few were acquainted with the beneficial effects of the allotment system, only one piece of land of about two and a half acres was procured the first year, which was let to eleven labourers, in plots of from twenty to forty perches each, and one of sixty-six perches, at 3^d. per perch, free from rates, tithes, and taxes. This, the first experiment, succeeded uncommonly well, better than a great many expected; and in the November of last year, another gene- ral meeting of the Society was called, when it was resolved that every means should be used to carry the objects of the Society more fully into effect ; and in consequence, we succeeded in obtaining four pieces of land, amounting in the whole to 1 1 acres, 2 roods, 26 perches, which we let to sixty individuals, as follows, viz: — one plot of QQ perches, one of 44 ditto, one of 43 ditto, eighteen of 40 ditto, ten of 38 ditto, two of 35 ditto, two of 34 ditto, twenty-three of 20 ditto, and two of 17^ ditto, which were well and profitably cultivated v/ith potatoes, cabbages, peas, beans, &c. Some persons, enemies to the measure, asserted that we should never get our rents; but mark how they were deceived. The 17th of October last was the day fixed by mc to receive them. I, with my brother Secretary, Mr B. S. Budd, who was appointed in the room of the late Dr Charles Pargeter, with several members of the Committee, attended in a large room in the town, where all the tenants were assembled, and we all felt that it was one of the most gratifying evenings we ever spent. After the rents had been paid, and I am happy to tell you there was not a single defaulter, I displayed a large round of beef, which I had had dressed for the occasion, and which every man partook of, witli a proportionate quantity of beer. We sat with them the whole time ; every one was thankful and delighted ; and those who had only 20 perches of land, expressed an anxious wish to have their quantity increased. They all departed to their homes in good order; no drunkenness, no rows, no dis- turbance marked their conduct. We have now had an addition of land made to us by Mr Cook and Mr Coventry, and we are in expectation of still more. I find, that as soon as we give notice of a piece of land to be let, we have more applicants for it than we can supply. The following, as a proof of the good efTects resulting from 184 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. the system, I think worthy of notice. One of my father's ser- vants, his shepherd, was in the habit of appearing, on Snndays, very slovenly in his dress and appearance, and was seldom at a place of worship : my brother had often reproved him, and wished him to alter his conduct, and appear otherwise; and this was one of our first tenants. While walking one Sunday evening last summer, my brother and myself met a man very neatly and ■ive/l dressed, who had on a new blue cloth coat, drab kersey- mere trowsers, new waistcoat, new hat, and in fact a new every thing ; and I assure you, he appeared vwat respectable. To my surj)rise, this proved to be our shepherd. My brother imme- diately accosted him, by saying, " he was glad to see such an amendment." His reply was, "I owe tliis, sir, to my bit of land {only twenty perches). I put together what I made of it, and that enabled me to purchase the suit of clothes in which I now stand," This I think speaks volumes. 1 am fully convinced, from what J have seen of the allotment system, that it is the best plan yet devised for improving the condition of the labourer, and for lessening pauperism ; and that, if it were more generally adopted, poaching, and crimes of various dcscrij^tions, would decrease; and we should have the satisfaction of (inding that it would make the labourers more honest, more industrious, and therefore cause them to become better servants, better men, and better Christians, COTT AG E A LLOTM EN TS, IM THE PARISH Of TODDINGTON, IN BE Dl ORDSH 1 KE. [From a commiiiiication to tlic Society for the Eneouragenietit of Arts, &c. by Mr. Gcorrijc Aikin, on Cottage Allotments See Transactions of tlie Society, 18.32; Vol. 49— Part ]'. page 14.] This parish, as appears by the last census, contains 1,9'26 in- habitants, of which number 306 are employed in agriculture. In the year 1829 — 30, the poor's-rates amounted to about 7s. 9d. per acre. In 1830 — 31, the rate was 8s. 3d. per acre; and in the present year, 1831 — 32, it is calculated at about the same as the last. The (piantity of agricultural labour has greatly exceeded the demand ; and for want of a regidar well-managed plan of employing the extra hands, they have been turned on the high roads, in gangs of twenty or thirty. — The consequence was, as might have been foreseen, a great demoralization of the men, and an increase of the rates. Under these circunistances, W. T. C Cooper, Esq. the principle proprietor in the parish, resolved to make the experiment, whether this sad state of things might not be ameliorated by making ,«?/)«// allotments of COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 185 land to the labourers. In November, 1829, six allotments of half an acre each were made to six men, well recommended for fheh- good conduct, and having large families. The land is a free-working, subsluntial gravel, and at the time was a wheat stubble ; it was let as from the ?Ot,h September preceding ; but as no profit could accrue to the people for the next half year, their rent was not to begin l)cforc the 2.5th March follow- ing. It was not supposed that they would attempt to put in any wheat; however, they each, by one means or another, col- lected sufficient manure" for a small part of their land, and sowed it with wheat; the rest of the land was in the spring set mostly with potatoes, with some peas, cabbages, turnips, scarlet-beans, &c. The men took great pains, and kept their land very clean ; they were repaid by good crops, which caused them to redouble their exertions to procure manure, so that the streets were cleared of whatever could be made convertible to that end. As a proof of the benefit derived, one of the men, having a very large family, and who had, heretofore, been obliged to go to the overseer for money to pay the rent of his cottage, was able to pay it himself, to his no small satisfac- tion. This experiment appearing to succeed so well, the la- bourers generally were very importunate to have land also, and at Michaelmas, 1^30, a large field was divided amongst /oj^y-oHC labourers, in pieces varying in size according to the ridges into Avhicli it was accustomed to be jiloughed, giving the larger por- tions to those with the largest families. This land was of the same quality, and was let ui)0u the same terms as the former; but, as it was extremely foul and out of condition, very little wheat was put in ; the farmers having ploughed the land for them in the autumn, they set most of it with potatoes, and some corn and vegetables: their crop of potatoes has been abundant, some of the lots having yielded from sixty to eighty and ninety bushels. That the people receive benefit from these allotments, is evident from the labour they bestow, not only in getting out the twitch grass, and other weeds, but also from their nctualhj making good and substantial hnlloic drains. It is farther shown I'y their good and orderly conduct. In summer evenings, in- stead of idly lounging about the place, or doing mischief, they are occupied about their land. It is a heart-cheering sight to sec from forty to fifty persons, after their masters' work is done, labouring upon their men little farms till day-light fails, and then going quietly home, doubtless with the pleasing anticipa- tion of their labour eventually making them independent of the parish. In addition to liie Ibrty-seven allotments already spoken of, and two good gardens, thirty-four more pieces have been allotted this iVIichaehnas, making a total of eighty-three, whuli will nearly meet the demand. Tiie land thus employed, as well as that of the whole parish, is tithe free, and it was thought 186 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. adviseable, instead of making a separate charge on each allot- ment to the parish-rates, to include such rate, namely, about 8s. an acre, in the rent, which varies according to the quality of the soil and other circumstances, from 32s. to 36s. an acre. The rules and terms upon which the land is held are very few and simple. 1st, — The rent is to be paid punctually on ench quarter-day, under a penalty, for default, of immediate loss of land and crops on it. 2nd, — If any of the men are convicted before a magistrate of any breach of the law, the land and crop are, in like manner, forfeited. Lastly, — It is particularly insisted upon, that they shall be very watchful over the morals of their families, and regularly frequent some place of public worship ; and especially that the children be not permitted to he idling about the streets after nightfal. In granting the allot- ments, regard was, of course, had to the characters of the ap- plicants ; and those who were notoriously bad were objected to : but upon reflection, it was thought right to give those whose characters did not stand very well, a chance of retriev- ing themselves : as one of them said, " I know, sir, that you have not a very good opinion of me; but give me an opportunity of honestly employing my time, and you shall see that my land shall be as well cultivated as the rest, and no fault shall be found with me in other matters." He has hitherto kept his word ; he has hollow-drained his land, and bestowed as much labour and pains upon it as if it were his own freehold. The labourers all reside in the town or village of Toddington, and the rents have been paid punctually on the day when they became due. GLOUCESTER AND SOMERSET AUXILIARY LA- BOURERS' FRIEND SOCIETY. The following resolutions were agreed to at a Public Meeting held at Bristol on Wednesday, March 13th, 1833, for the for- mation of an auxiliary Society, in furtherance of our views. 1st. That in the opinion of this Meeting, the utility of a Society to watch over and promote the interests of the indus- trious classes is generally admitted, and that much benefit may accrue, not only to those dependent on their labour, but to society at large, by the diffusion of sound principles on this most important subject. 2nd. That in pursuance of this conviction, this Meeting recognizes with much satisfaction a Society established in London, under the title of the Labourers' Friend Society, a principal object of which is the recommending the granting of land to agricultural labourers ; the agent of which Society has been the direct means of calling together the present assembly. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 187 3rd. That from the " Facts and Illustrations" already pub- lished by the Labourers' Friend Society, and from the proved advantages of the system, ascertained from other sources, this Meeting strongly recommends the general adoption of the practice of allotting to labourers as much land, at a farmer's rent, to be held permanently, so long as they fulfil the terms in which it is granted, as they, their wives, and families, can cultivate during their spare time. And that to enable the Society in London extensively to effect these objects, all those who feel interested in the welfare of the industrious classes, are earnestly invited to become Annual or Life Subscribers. 4th. That a Branch Society, to be called ''The Gloucester and Somerset Labourers' Friend Sociery," assembling in Bristol, be now formed, and that an annual meeting of its friends and members be held in Bristol. 5th. That His Grace the Duke of Beaufort be requested to accept the office of Patron of this Society. 6th. That the following Gentlemen shall constitute a Com- mittee, with power to add to their number, for the purpose of promoting, collectively and individually, the system of letting Allotments of Land to Labourers, and any other measures cal- culated to promote their well-being, in the manner which the Committee may deem most conducive to its success and utility: Colonel Whetham Rev. James Vaughan G. W. Hall, Esq. George Emery, Esq. R. T. Lilly, Esq. John S. Harford, Esq. P. J. Miles, Esq. Thomas Stock, Esq. Edward Sampson, Esq. Dr. Carrick T. Kington, Esq. 7th. That John Scandrett Harford, Esq. be requested to accept the office of Treasurer. 8th. That the warmest ihanks of this Meeting be presented to the Committee of the Bristol Institution, for their prompt and valuable permission to hold this Meeting in their convenient building. 9th. That the cordial thanks of this Meeting be given to J. S. Harford, Esq. for his promptitude in coming forward to preside on the occasion, and for the efficient and able manner in which he has filled the chair this dav. FIELD GARDENS IN WARWICKSHIRE. [From Bolton King, Esq. M. P.] Three years since, ten acres were divided into thirty-five gardens, which were let to as many families, at the rent of 6d. 188 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. a garden rood, (of which there are 75 in an acre); allowing five roods an acre for divisions, paths, &c. the size of each garden will be a quarter of an acre. The rates, &c. are paid by tlie landlord, which leaves about 30s. an acre for rent ; whicli is the same which a farmer used to pay for it. The land is of a tolerable good quality, but many of the occupiers reside at some distance from it, which is a great dis- advantage, but one that cannot altogether be avoided, where the cottages are scattered. The conditions on which the land is let are the following : 1st. That it shall be cultivated by manual labour. 2d. That it shall not be underlet. od. That potatoes shall not be planted on it more than two years in succession on the same spot. 4th. That the rent shall be paid in August. 5th. That the occupier shall give up his garden if he is con- victed of any crime, or if he shall cease to reside in the parish. The general system of cultivation that has been adopted in these gardens has been alternately wheat and potatoes; though frequently peas, cabbages, onions, &c. have been grown to a considerable extent. As a great quantity of manure (which is obtained from their pig, wheat-straw, potatoe-tops, &c.) is brought to the land by the occu[)iers, and as it is cultivated h>j the spade, it is not considered that this course of cropping will ever be injurious. The crops have been very productive, the land has been kept very clean and neat, and most of it has been undprgronnd drnined by the occupiers, without their having hardly been absent from a day's work. The re;ils have all been punctually paid, on the day they became due. "When this land was first allotted for this purpose, all the labourers were anxious to obtain a portion of it; and they are now not only desirous of keeping their gardens, but of adding to the extent of them. AViihout entering into an accurate calculation of the produce and profit of these gardens, the following are some of the bene- fits the labourers derive from thcn.i : COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 189 They have a constant profitable employment at all times when they may be out of work ; and if they have regular work, their garden is cultivated at their leisure hours, and by their family : and this employment is not only profitable, but it is one which affords them a constant source of interest, and keeps them from the beer-shops and idleness. As the labour they bestow on their gardens costs them nothing-, and would be lost if not so employed, they have in rctiarn for their rent and seed a crop at least ten times their value. They have an abundant supply of potatoes, and other vege- tables, besides some wheat. And almost every one of fhem now keep one pig, if not two, which was the case in very few instances before they had these gardens, and all these advantages are obtained at no cost to any one ; for the land lets for as mucli as it is worth, and there is no trouble in getting the rents. On the night the rents are paid, a sni>ppr is given to nil the garden tenants, and prizes given to those who have cultivated the land in the best manner. It is intended to extend this system still further in this parish. PROGRESSIVE SUCCESS OF INDUSTRY. CoMMIIXICATFD BY iMl) TuOTVfAS PcKT, IjAII.IFF TO .ToIIN S.MITH, EsQ., M. P. Warren Farm, Ijexle}-, near Dartford, Kent. In 1810, a valley called Mendoza's Hole in tlie shape of a bason, containing an acre and a half, was let to Henry Seaman, one of Mr Smith's labourers, at 11. per annum, to cultivate with the spade. The land could not be ploughed, being so much on the declivity. One acre ricli, and half an acre middling laud. First year. II. Seaman dug the whole with the spade in the winter. In April following he planted it all with potatoes, by dibbling, without manure, which jnoduced 400 bushels on the acre and a half, value 120/. In the bottom of the valley is a spring of good water. II. Seaman built his own house on wheels ; cost 30Z. Second year. II. Seaman built pig-sties, and bought a breeding sow ; consumed all his chat potatoes, and other ofial of his garden by pigs; thereby making 15 cart-loails of manure; he bought l.'i loads more, and well numurt'd his iicre and u halt'. Planted half with potatoes, and half with cabbage-plants, cab* bages, and other garden produce. 190 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. Third year. H. Seaman discontinued working for farmers,* and entirely employed himself at his garden concerns. He increased his stock of pigs, thereby made more manure ; planted a part with gooseberry and currant trees. Always kept the land in full crops, one crop off, another on ; commonly sold 40,000 cabbage plants, annually, at 10s. per thousand, and produced about 100 stone of pork per year, value 20^ Mendoza's valley being situated to the south, and well pro- tected on the north and east by a wood, very much assisted in the early growth of plants and other things. The local situation also was very good for the sale of every kind of produce. H. Seaman was a very industrious, hard-working man, his wife also, and they had no family. Early in the spring he would take a thousand cabbage-plants t)n his back, and carry them ten miles round the country, and thereby make 10s. of his day's work ; thus he disposed of the great quantity of cabbage-plants. H. Seaman collected cleanings of ditches, clay, earth, leaves, rakings of his garden, and all other refuse matter of absorption, and put it into his pit. The pig-sty drains, and also the privy, run into this pit. The house and chimney sweepings, also chamber mugs, wash-tub dirty water, and every other article that assisted to make manure, were put into this pit. The pig dung also was put into the pit. H. Seaman had a wooden scoop, wherewith he threw the essence water on different parts of the manure, thereby impregnating all parts alike. A few years after, Warren Farm came into other hands ; the garden was cleared, and sown with lucerne, and produced many valuable crops of that very excellent and valuable grass. The above statements are facts that I witnessed during the years 1810, 1811, and 1812. WRINGTON AUXILIARY SOCIETY. [From the Bristol Mirror,] On Friday, the 12th of April, 1833, a number of gentlemen assembled at the Golden Lion Inn, Wrington, for the purpose of organising an Auxiliary Association, in connection with the Labourers' Friend Society of London, for die parishes of * This is a result not contemplated by the Labourers' Friend Society : indeed the instances must necessarily be so rare as to prevent all objection on that score; but the fact is preserved as an incitement to honest industry. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 191 Wrington, Yatton, Blagdon, Congresbury, &c., and appointing a Committee to carry the views of the parent Society into effect in the lovely and extensive vale of which Wrington is the centre. Most of the clergy of the neighbourhood were present, several gentlemen connected with the land interest, and not a few of the more influential farmers. As to the utility and practicabi- lity of the system recommended by the London Society, but one sentiment seemed to animate all present ; and we really hail it as an omen for good, that at this momentous crisis, when so much difference of opinion obtains on questions of the highest importance — when sentiments arising out of opposite views of politics and religion but too much divide and separate those who, in order to promote collectively the welfare of their country, ought to be as " one band of brothers" — in this part of Somerset so much good feeling, so much cordiality of senti- ment, and so much enlightened liberality should have been displayed. S. Baker, Esq., took the chair, and the business of the day was proceeded with. This worthy landlord and kind-hearted and generous master, who with praiseworthy alacrity came forward to preside at the former meeting, had, on this occasion, with great judgment, and with a liberality of feeling which did honour to his head and heart, prepared and drawn up a series of resolutions for the guidance of the Wrington Association, in acting on the allotment system, which were put, seriatim, and, with a few verbal alterations, unanimously adopted. A numer- ous and highly influential Committee Avas then appointed, and it must be highly gratifying to all who wish well to the cause of religion, as well as the interests of the labouring classes, to learn that nearly all the clergy of the district not merely sub- scribed to the necessary funds, but enrolled themselves as members of this Committee. After the preliminary business of the day had been gone through, Mr G. W. Perry, the agent of the parent Society, who had come from Wells to attend the meeting, explained the principles of the association which he represented ; after which, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : — 1st. That a Society be immediately formed, to be called the Labourers' Friend Society for Wrington and its Neighbourhood. 2d. That Parochial Committees be formed to act in concur- rence with the views of the Society. 3d. That each person, on becoming a member of this Society, pay into the hands of the treasurer the sum of 5s. 4th. That the Rules recommended by the Parent Society be, as nearly as compatible with local circumstances, adopted. 192 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 5th. That Samuel Baker, Esq., be requested to accept the office of President, and the Rev. Henry Thompson those of Treasurer and Secretary, and the several other Gentlemen be requested to form the Committee. 6th. That the resident Ministers of the several parishes asso- ciated, or hereafter to be associated, in this Society, be Hono- rary Members of the Committee. 7th. That this Meeting stand adjourned to the 26th instant, at the Golden Lion Inn, at Wrington, for the jiiupose of forming Parochial Committees. Sth. That tlie thanks of this Meeting be presented to Samuel Baker, Esq., for iiis obliging coudiid in tlie chair, and forward- ing the operations of the Society. INTRODUCTION- OF THE SYSTEM INTO TEN CONTINUOUS PARISHES, (Extract of a I^etter from Capt. Scobf.i.i., R.N.] High Littleton, near Bath, May 13, 183:3. When at tliejjath Rooms, in .lanuary last, I hadtospeak of the example of the two parishes in which I commenced operations in March, 1831, viz.. High Littleton and Midsomer Norton, having spread into three other adjoining jiarishes. In these five parishes, we had then fiftij-two acres of good freak land, occupied by hvo hundred and for tij -five families. I can scarcely describe to you my satisfaction that, during this spring, the system has been introduced in five other parishes near me ; so that I now live in the midst of ten continuous parishes, some of which are purely agriculLural, others have a mixed population of colliers and farm labourers, and all far removed from towns, enjoying the many condbrts wliich industry well applied can draw from field gardens. Tlie plan has been generally adopted as I commenced it, on good old pasture land, at a farmer's rent, conveniently situated, with an arrangement for the haulage of manure. Our fifty-two acres are now enlarged to ninetij, and our two hundred and forty-five occupants have increased to four hun- dred; and taking each family at six, which I find is the average number, it will be seen that two thousand four hundred human beings, in these ten parishes, are thus enabled to raise their own vegetable sustenance, during their leisure hours. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. l93 In High Littleton and Midsomer Norton, where we have still our original one hundred and seventy-eight tenants, I have still the gratification to say, that not a single individual has sub- jected himself to committal for any breach of the law whatever. ALLOTMENTS OF LAND IN THE PARISHES OF BISHOP STORTFORD AND BIRCHANGER, ESSEX. [From \V. R. IIawkes, Esq.] Pyners-Hill, near Bishop-Stortford, April 14, 1833. Few persons, I should suppose, who have perused the Montlily Publications of the Labourers' Friend Society, can remain scep- tical respecting the improvement of the moral and physical state of the peasantry which has been effected by the allotment of land to them. The immense exertions of this Society, which are beyond all praise, have now brought the scheme into general notice ; and the prejudices against it, which existed in the minds of many uninformed and selfish individuals, have disap- peared under the weight of the evidence in its favour, adduced by the publications alluded to. There is, thus, reason to expect that, at no distant period, the allotment of land plan will be adopted by the great majority of parishes in England ; and that this, in connection with other measures for the relief of the honest and industrious poor, will produce an amelioration in their condition, delightful to the contemplation of the philan- thropic mind. I have been, strongly impressed with a sense of the advantages arising from the plan in question ; and the means — very limited ones — which I possess, to effect its accom- plishment in my neighbourhood, I have not failed to exercise at the risk of annoying a certain number of sensible and well- informed friends, who may l)e considered to be better judges than myself of the applicability of the scheme to the parish of Bishop Stortford. Certainly in this parish, where a large quan- tity of malt is made, and v.hich has a navigable canal to London, giving employment to so many persons, it is not so much needed as in places destitute of these, or similar advan- tages ; and, in consequence, an indifference respecting it pre- vails amongst the infiuential inhabitants of the town, notwith- standing that the poor-rates are heavy, and there are several hands out of work. There can, however, be no doubt that, in pro[)ortion to the circumstances of the case, good would result from the adoption of it; and, I trust, ere long, I shall have the pleasure to announce this excellent measure for bettering the o 194 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. condition of our poorer fellow-citizens has been carried into effect. In the parish of Elrchanger, about two miles north of Bishop Stortford, on the Cairoridge road, in which I reside, which is a very small one, seven roods of pretty good land have been appropriated to the poor, being as much as is required by them, in consequence of the greater number being in possession of garden ground. Operations have commenced within the last few weeks. Three have taken a rood each, and the remainder, half a rood a-piece. At the proper period, I hope to be able to give a good account of the result of this small undertaking for the benefit of our industrious labourers, who appear to be very well pleased with the prospects which it presents to them. DEVIZES AUXILIARY SOCIETY. At a Meeting of the Committee appointed to superintend the arrangements of the Labourers' Friend Society, held at Devizes, on the 19th of March, 1833, T. H. S. B. Estcourt, Esq., in the Chair, it was resolved, 1st.- — That some gentleman in each parish within the district of this Society, be requested to make a return to the Secretary of the number of acres let to the poor ; the quantity let to each tenant; the amount of rent ; and the number of tenant: in his parish; on or before the 28th inst. ; and that the next Meeting of the Committee do take place on that day, at the Town Hall, Devizes, at 1 1 o'clock. 2nd. — That the principal proprietors and occupiers of land, within a convenient distance of Devizes, be requested to give this Society their countenance and support, and that the annexed letter be addressed by the Secretary to the principal proprietors and occupiers of land in this neighbourhood. {CIRCULAR.) Devizes, March lOth, 1833. Sir, The distressed condition of the labouring poor in this country . — the alarming increase of the poors'-rates — and the degeneracy of manners inseparable from a state of pauperism, render it necessary to adopt some measures by which the progress of these national evils may be checked. Among the remedies which have been suggested, we venture to recommend as cheap, COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 196 practicable, and efficacious, the system of allotting land in small portions to the poor. From the examination of numerous and well-attested facts, we are convinced that, wherever this allotment system has been fairly tried, there has been both a considerable diminution of the poors'- rates, and also a visible increase of industry, sobriety, and con- tentment among the labouring population. We earnestly request, therefore, that you will consent to provide a small quantity of land in those parishes where your property is situated, for the use and benetit of the labouring classes ; and to let the land at the rent which the neighbouring farmers usually give for the same, in proportions of a quarter of an acre to each person, according to their families, and upon such other conditions as you may deem most advisable. In conclusion, we beg most respectfully to invite you to com- municate your sentiments respecting the practicability and advantages of this plan to our Honorary Secretary, Major Olivier, in order that, if those sentiments should be unfavourable, we may attentively consider and profit by your objections; and that if they should fortunately harmonize with our own, we may have the honour of co-operating with you in the charitable work of improving the condition of the distressed population around us. We have the honour to be. Sir, Your most obedient servants, (Signed on behalf of the Committee) T. H. S. B. EsTCOURT, Chairman. RETURNS FROM SEVERAL PARISHES IN WILTSHIRE. Pottern, near Devizes, May 13th, 1833. In consequence of the extensive circulation of the above resolu- tions and letter, numerous returns have been forwarded to me, as Honorary Secretary to the Labourers' Friend Society, at Devizes, from different parts of Wilts, showing the results which have arisen from the practice of letting land to the poor. I have thrown these together as concisely as I could, into one general leturn, a copy of which I forward. H. S. Olivier, Hon. Sec. to the Devizes Labourers' Friend Society. 198 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. A Statement, shouing the manner in which land is let to the labour' the Si/stem, as furnished by different Members Name of Place. o , Quantity of Quantity of Popula- j^g,^^ allotted Land allotted "'^"' to the I'oor. each Tenant. 1 By whom the Land is Let. Rateatwhich the land is let. Devizes Chapelry of St James 4208 1765 1 A. U. P. 32 From \ to 1 an acre. Mr Estcourt. 42s. per acre. Potterne. 1633 16 3 From f to an acre and half. Mr Waylen 6d. per perch, free of tithes and taxes. Ditto. • • 10 From 40 perches to 3 acres. Messrs Tanner and Wyche. 6d. per perch. Ditto. 35 FromlOto 80 poles, according to their families Messrs R. Chandler & Chifford. From to 3d. per perch. Ditto. • • 7 Half an acre to an acre each. Mr Coombe 6d. per perch. Tythin^ of Worton. • • 5 2 2 From 7 to 30 perches. Rate payers of the Tything. 3d. per perch. Rowde and Bromham. 901 1357 30 From a ■{ to half an acre. Mr Locke. Samerent as the far- mers pay. Polshott. 323 3 2 From 4 to 28perches Parish. 3d. per perch. AUcannings 749 112 FromlOto 40perches Rev. Mr Methuen. 5d. per perch. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 197 ino- clasxes, in sonip parishes in the county of ff'ilts, and the result of of the Devizes Labourers^ Friend Socir/i/. XT I luiiv ion;,' Numljer jhe Sj-st m < I has been Tenters. Adopted. 95 IS 12 22 10 yrs 13 yrs. Supposed t.) be Upwards, of 72 General Observations, including statemont of tlie Effects or Results of the System, and other particulars. Free of titlics and taxes The familes to receive no pa- rochial relief, except in ca'-es of sickness. Jlany of the original tenants still in cceui)ation, having bronglit up large families. — lleiit paid i)uiittually Premiums given for the best cultivated land, but not two years following Always great competition in case of the land being vacated. — Only one instance of a tenant not paying his rent. The letting subject to no stipulation — EfTecls good. — Wants of renters greatly relieved. Parish relieved from all charges for tlie maintenance of from 80 to 90 persons. — Rent always paid punctually. The letting subject to no stipulation During this period only one tenant received parish relief — No defaulters in payment of rent Let free of rates, taxes, and rectorial tithes. 'ihis was waste land, enclosed some years ago, belonging to the parish. No observations sent to the Honorary Secretary in answer to his application. 12 Free of all parochial charges — The letting subject to no stipulation. 41 Not stated. 41 102 4 yrs. Free ol all parochial cliarges .Sy.stem tends to relieve the poor-rates, and to create a good feeling among the poor towards the higher classes — Sliould be let to the deserving poor only. No rioters from this hamlet in 1830, which is attributed to the men having land. Some years. Not stated. Effects good, and an increased quantity let last year ia consequence. No observations. Effects food.— More pigs kept in the parish than before the system" was adopted — Great advantage would attend the letting of more land. 190 COTTAGE H USD AN DRY. T>^.»„i, Quantity of Name of Place. P°P"'»- Land allotted ''""• to the Poor. Quantity of jand allotted each tenant. By whom the ^l?^f^^ Land IS Let. ^and is Let. West La- vington. 1123 A. R. P. 66 From |to thsol'an acre. Lord Churchill's Agent. £3 per acre. Market La- vington. 1438 9 2 20 lugs generally. The Hon. Capt. Bouverie. Same as the farmer £3 per acre. Ditto. 9 3 2! 11 to 22 lugs. J. Fowle, Esq. 2 13 4 per acre. Ditto. 1 2 12 7 to 22 Ditto. 4 Ditto. 3 14 12 to 40 Mr R.Webb 6 13 4 Ditto. 1 14 to 40 Mr Gauntlet 6 13 4 Ditto. 1 8 to 26Mr PhilpottI 5 6 8 Ditto. 1 16 to llo'Ditto. 4 Ditto. 532 16 20 to 80 MrW. Smith 4 6 8 Littleton. 6 127 2 40 to men I0to20to women. Mr Alexan- der as tenant toLd Radnor ' 4|d. per lug. Ditto. LordRadnoi Little Che- verell. 259 93 2 C 24perches to 2 acres , Rev. — Fishlake,th€ Rector. £4 to •£5 6 8 per acre. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 199 Number of Renters. 134 72 60 20 19 63 28 43 How loMK the System has been Adopted. 8 yrs. I year Many years. Ditto. 14 Ditto. 2 yrs. 2 yrs. I year, 1 year. year, Let on lives ma- Dy years past. Between 30 & 40 years. General Obserfations, inducing Statement of tbu EflTects, or Results of the System, and other Particulars. No tenant has been convicted of any crime since they have had land Rates, tithes, and taxes paid by landlord. — Has been the means of kee))iiig the rates from increas- ing — The advantage to tlie cottagers of the greatest im- portance. — Every tenant keeps a pig Rents punctually paid. — Cultivated by spade husbandry. — All the land u-itliin five to ten minutes' walk of the cottages. — No rioting in 1830. Tithes and parodiial taxes paid by the landlord — Poor rates not relieved by the system. — Half the land only to be planted with potatoes Cultivated by spade husbandry. — AH tenants thankful, even for this small quantity. — The rents paid punctually at Michaelmas. Ditto. Rent paid iu September. Tiie poor-rates have not lessened since the Introduction of this system. Productive of much comfort and satisfaction to those holding it- Poor-rates not reduced — Comfort of the labourers in- creased by the system, and they are rendered more honest, sober, and industrious by it Almost the only evil arising from it is, that it tends to induce many young persons to remain in the parish, who would otherwise be forced out. 200 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. Name of Place. Great Cheverel. r, , Quantity of P°.P"1*- Land allotted "°°- to tUe Poor. Ditto. Ditto. Alton. Beeching- stoke. Wood- boiough. Rushall. Ditto. Urchfont. Quant^itTofj Sy ^hom the ' ^^'^ »* iand allotted / j • i . Land each Tenant. 442 A. R. P. 14 1 8 Fronj G to 64perches 4 2 36 332 Land is let. ■which the Land is let. Minister & Church- wardens. 14perches each. Ditto. 5|d. per perch. No rent. 1 13 20 to 40 9 Abel perches- Hampton. 3d. per lug. 20 to 401 Robert A. I 156 335 248 17 1294 2 lugs. Hare. 30 to 40The farmers lugs. 3d. per lug. About 12 lugs each. 6d. per lug and some- times for nothing. The farmers 30 to 70SirE.Poore, ugs. 3d. per lug 15 to 40 R. Stratton lugs. I 39 1 20perchesl5 different to an acre, landlords Fiddington. 44 ■^ofanacreA. E. Saun and under ders and to 6 acres. John Ward. 4|d. per percii. 6d.tol0d. per perch. 3 10 to 4 per acre COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 201 Number , of Renters. How long j he System has been adopted. General Observation-!, including Statement of the Effects, or Kesults of the System, and otUer Particulars. 73 Conditions imposed on the renters are husband-like management and good conduct Xo diminution oF poor- rates, but comforts of poor increased. 54 Ditto. 34 Ditto. 18 I year. Rent paid punctually Tenants attend church more regularly, and the effects are good Rates, tithes, and taxes paid by landlord Tenants not to exhaust the land by a succession of crops Liable to be turned out for misconduct, or neglect of their master's work. No conditions stipulated for. 16 Land let for the summer crop. 50 Very good land, and free of tithes and taxes. 13 Tliis is let to persons who prefer having it in this manner, not having time to cultivate it, such as head carters, &c. The land is let by all the large farmers at a rent which will only cover their own charges Small occuiiiers, on the other hand, obtain a rent which ought and would be much lower, if a permanent system of allotment could be adopted. 45 14 yrs No person occupying an acre or more has ever received ' relief from the parish. Tenants well satisfied and thankful. — No defaulters in payment of rent, and the landowners have from '20 to 40 ai)plicaiits for land every year — The tenants are nearly the same persons from the first Where the quantity is under an acre, the landlord pays parochial charges, tithes, &c. 202 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. Popula- Quantity of Quantity of Rate at Name of Place. Land allotted Land allotted \ihich the to the Poor. each Tenant. Land is let. Fiddinffton. • • 15 3 acres to A. E. Saun- £3 10s. 1 person, ders, Esq. to £4 1 acre per acre. each to 12 Ditto. • . 17 22 poles to 4 acres Late Cleaver now o£'4 per acre. Mr Bailey. Ditto. 16 From 10 Messrs 6d. per poles to90 Sainsbury. pole. Manning- • • 5 From 20 Mr Grant. 3d. per ford. poles to 4 an acre. perch. Erlestoke 375 5 25 3-^perches G. W. Tay- 4§ per and per head, lor, Esq. perch. Coulston. according to family. Ditto. • • 11 From 10 to 30 perches. Mr Jon. Grant. 6d. per perch. PERCIIKS. PER ACRE. Oastock. 133 2 1 18 20 to 25 The Earl of 53s. 4d. Nunton. 286 2 3 35 8 to 28 -Radnor. 60 Downton. 3114 7 2 30 15 to 32 do. 53 4 Ditto. 7 2 40:28 to 43 do. 40 Ditto. 1 2 40 do. 26 8 West Grin- stead. 161 5 3 20 to 42 do. 40 Alderbury 1125 10 1 30 la. to 4a. do. 20 and 1 19 15pto72p do. 33 4 Whaddon. 63 3 3 32 10 to 26 do. 53 4 33 4 to Harnham. 267 3 6 12 to 54 do. < 46 8 -\ 1 2 7 12 to 38 do. 26 8 Stanton. V 285 3 1 916 to 36 do. 40 3 3 30 35 to 48 flo. 46 8 Corston. 16 28 40 to 80 do. 26 8 Corsham. 2727 11 2 417 to 60 P. Methuen, 80 Clack. 37 1 10l5p.to2a. do. [esq. 20 to 40 Ditto. 68 3 21 15 to 41 do. 20 to 40 Garsdon. 183 22 3 17 7 to 24- do. 5 to 10 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 203 Number I ri,.^,^« has been of KenCers. 13 12 75 19 66 18 27 60 42 6 27 7 6 19 37 10 22 15 40 62 62 67 35 adopted. General Observations, including Statement of the Effects and Results of the System, and otliur Particulars. 2 years years Several years. Tithes and taxes paid by landlord. — Rent paid regu- larly on the 31st of October. Landlord pays tithes and taxes. Not suffered to rent more than half an acre, or to oc- cupy elsewhere. — Tenants not allowed to change their land. — Rent paid at iNIiehaelmas. — To quit at G months' notice, when negligent in the cultivation of their land.— Three men only have half an acre. No observations. 2 vearsi ^''*' ^'^"'^ ^' '^' dunged, and worked free of all parochial 'charges, to IMr Grants labourers, of East Cojlston, and Erlestoke. The results of the Cottage Garden System in these pa- rishes, as far as can be judged from the time it has been adopted, are most satisfactory, inasmuch as it appears to have contributed greatly to the comforts of the poor, and to liave imparted a degree of content and happiness which before were but partially experienced. — Anotlier great and important benefit must also ultimately accrue from it, by reason »f its giving a stimulus to habits of industry ; but as to any very material reduction in the poor-rates, in a general point of view, there does not seem any reasonable grounds for such a calculation. TOTAL. 34 Parishes and Hamlets. 903a. 3r. 29p. of Land allotted among 1953 Tenants. 204 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. THE LABOURER'S OWN STATEMENT. [From the Evangelical Magazine.] As your correspondents are stanch friends to the poor despised labourers in agriculture, of which I am one, I have no doubt you will permit me for a moment, to vent my complaints to you. When I tell you that I have a wife and five children, all dependent on my labour, you will readily grant that it requires some exer- tions on my part to supply the various wants in such a family. But there can be no greater pleasure to me than to work for their support, could I find sufficient employment, at what I consider moderate w^ages ; but now, when I am in work, I receive no more than twelve shillings a week, without meat or drink, which is quite inadequate to purchase bare diet necessaries. In harvest, perhaps, I can get fifteen shillings a week, and victuals, and my wife and family glean wheat, which is a help; but the farmers, generally, continue to turn their pigs on the stubble as soon as the corn is taken off, so that the gleaners have to look quick to be even with swine. Perhaps you have never made a calculation how seven persons can be supported with victuals (drink I will say nothing about), clothing, firing, &c., out of twelve shillings a week ; I can tell you, there will be required weekly, at least three stone of flour, which at the present price is one shilling and two-pence per stone. House rent Three stone of flour Potatoes, and other vegetables Coals Soap, salt, and candles Milk 11 6 So that there is eleven shillings and sixpence for absolute necessaries, which cannot be dispensed with ; then there is only sixpence per week for clothing, butchers' meat, and groceries. Now I will leave you to judge how I am situated, and how my children are to be educated ; but you may say as otheis do, that there is a great deal of charity: this I allow ; but I would rather put up with difficulties, than be a receiver of continual charities. I will pledge my existence, if an industrious cottager were accommodated with an acre of land, at a moderate rent, he would contrive to live in such a manner, as neither to be £ s. d. 1 6 6 1 1 1 1 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 205 dependent on charity, nor a burden to the parish ; but half an acre of land would make a wonderful alteration. Perhaps, at a future time, I sliould endeavour to show, that it would be for the interest of the farmer, that every industrious labourer should have land to his cottage, even if it were taken from the farmers themselves. One thing I have to comfort myself with, is, that I have never been degraded by receiving anv pay from the parish ; but I will contend with difficulties rather than give up my inde- pendence to an overseer. Peter Hegss. AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. [From a Work published by the Wantage Societt for Providino thi Poor with Land.] We shall suppose that an individual is desirous of attempting to form on Allotment Society in the place where he resides. The first step seems to be to endeavour to interest others in his design; with which view he should provide himself with papers suited for circulating intelligence on the subject, either lending about two or three copies of this appeal, or of the La- bourers' Friend, as before recommended. Let him not be dis- heartened if any regard the object with jealousy, and treat it with indifference ; nor if a variety of objections be stated. With the facts which he lays before the objectors, he will be able pa- tiently to answer all. As soon as he can find one or two willing to unite with him in promoting the object, he may proceed without further delay. Let such meet as a committee, for consultation, at certain time's, perhaps once a fortnight, but let not the place of meeting be the vestry, nor any place connected with the administration of the poor-laws, because it is of the first importance to show the labourers that this is not a parish concern ; where a suspicion exists that the land is put into their hands to save the parish, we must not wonder if such land is badly managed. If possible, the land engaged should be rented of the proprietor, not of the farmer. Supposing land to be obtained, let a notice be posted in some conspicuous place, inviting all labourers and mechanics, married and unmarried, residing in the place, who wish to rent portions of land, to give in their names to such a person by a specified day. Should there not be land enough at first for all the applicants, let six of them draw lots for themselves and the rest, allowing 206 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. double the quantity to the married men. Drawing of lots will be found to give far more satisfaction than the most impartial selection ; and though a few may obtain allotments who need them less than others, yet, on the whole, the plan seems to have decisive advantages over others. The land should be previously divided into portions ; and a copy of the necessary regulations given to each person with the possession of his allotment. Where rewards are offered we should recommend that the kind and number of the rewards intended to be given, should, in the first instance, be announced. — Subsequently, fix and announce three several days of general inspection, — one in the spring, another in the summer, and a third in the autumn. On these days, invite three respectable farmers, or others conversant with land, from some neighbouring place, and let them give their judgment on each allotment : and the average of the three inspec- tions will decide who are entitled to the rewards. REFUTATION OF OBJECTIONS ADVANCED AGAINST THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM. (by CAPT. pole, R.N.) Sir, The advocates for the Cottage Allotment System are much obliged to any one who will be the means of bringing forward this question for discussion, and which can only be done by those who think they see objections and publish them. If we are not enabled to overcome them, it will at once prevent any further trouble on the subject; but if we can show to the world they are to be overcome, I then consider we shall stand on a firmer basis than ever. In the first place, you must agree with me that there are two ways of doing everything, —a riglit and a wrong. The food that is intended for our nourishment, may, if improperly taken, cause sickness ; the medicine that is offered as a remedy, may, for the same reason, become a poison ; and the Cottage Allotment Sys- tem, as well as any other thing that may be recommended for the public welfare, may, if improperly acted on, have the contrary effect to what is intended. A careless person, in reading your remarks, would suppose you were a violent opposer to this system ; but it appears to me, that you only point out what will happen, if done improperly ; in COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 207 short, I consider that the principle of the Allotment System is not perfectly understood, or otherwise we should not find that the different objections raised against it are, when brought together, contradictions to each other, and which is the case with yours, and those who have the power of putting it in force, for you apprehend it will drive the poor into a greater state of pau- perism and servility; the farmers, on the contrary, know that it must better the condition of their labourers, but fear they will be made too independent by it. With respect to its being based on charity, I beg to refer you to those landlords who have adopted it, and ask them if they do not receive a higher rent than their farmers could afford to pay ; and then ask the poor if they are not benefited by it : a:id, moreover, the farmers will also tell you that the poor-rates have gradually decreased in those places where the principle has been understood, and acted on accordingly. My idea of the principle is this, that an agri- cultural labourer, having a small piece of ground attached, or as near as possible, to his cottage, will make that piece of land of more value than any one else can, provided he raises the food which he con- sumes himself, instead of having to buy that food ; but ivhen the quantify of land is bicreascd beyond what is necessary for raising his own food, or he sells a part of his produce to buy that which he might have raised himself, the principle is done away with. You appear to me to make no distinction between Spade Cul- tivation, Home Colonies, and the Allotment System ; the former I will go with you all lengths, — it must be both degrading and unprofitable, when people are sent out in gangs under the surveil- lance of some overseer, on a forced labour, which must be evident to everyone, but yet neither so degrading or unprofit- able as paying those same people to remain in idleness ; the home colonies must require a capital to commence with, and a capital to keep going, and will require the best of management to get that capital returned ; but this is even better tlian paying to keep men in idleness in a workhouse, when at a little more expense you might employ those people in a home colony. And though the return for their labour may not be worth the whole expense of employing them, yet it will be found to be more than tlie extra expense caused by this employment, and the parish will find that it will be a saving to themselves, their peo- ple employed, and more food raised in the country. With respect to the Allotment System, it only remains, to prove what I have already stated, to show that it is not charity in the landlord letting this piece of land to his labourers, because they can afford to pay as much, or more than the farmer can ; this has been practically proved, and many pamphlets published by practical men ; the two last were by the Rev. Lovelace Bigg Wither and Capt. Scobell ; but it requires no nice calculation to {)rove this, 208 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. for a quarter of an acre is sufficient to raise potatoes and vege- tables throughout the year for a family, and bring up, with the leavings of the house, a couple of pigs ; and a quarter of an acre of barley will fat them ; for which, if a poor man had to buy the same weight of pig meat, at retail price, he could not give less than 15/.; the expense that it will cost him about II. rent, \L seed, and II. for each pig, total 41.; and having supplied his family with potatoes and vegetables throughout the year, might be put against any other expense that he may have in- curred ; therefore he clears 1 H. by his half acre. But suppos- ing it to be only a quarter of that sum for a whole acre, what farmer can make that ? I have not calculated the man's labour, ])ocause I conceive he would otherwise have been idle. And if a half acre would occupy him too much, let him the proportion of it which will be sufficient, and he will then only receive the proportional advantage; but his labour may be calculated, and it will then be found, that when he is working for himself in this way, he can earn twice as much, at the lowest calculation, that a farmer can afford to pay him, for he would dig half an acre in ten days ; and let him dig it twice over, which would be 20 days, and 10 days more for other purposes, will be 30 days; call his savings, instead of HZ., half, 51. 10s.; and that divided by 30 days, will be found equal to 3s. 8d. per day ; so that in any way can be proved the advantage that a poor man will receive by cultivating a small portion of land for himself, when no obstruc- tions are thrown in his way. But how absurd it is to see a far- mer ploughing so near to a labourer's cottage, that one might suppose he was anxious to pull the house down, to occupy the land it stands on ; and he, at the same time, tells you, that the allotment system is adopted in that parish, by pointing out to you a barren piece of land at some distance, where the poor are Bent to labour with the spade, and which he would not attempt to cultivate himself! the very hour that he is walking to and fro, is the time that he ought to be employed on his land, and this is only one of its numerous disadvantages. With respect to the poor being over-worked, I think there can be no danger of that, even should they work after their usual day's labour, when we know how little is done at present; for if the labourers were employed by task-work, they would do nearly twice as much work ; but admit that it is not right they should work after or before the usual day's labour, let me ask, is there any reason why they should not work half, or even a whole day once in the week for themselves if they can earn more than the farmer can afford to pay them, and which they positively can during the time they are raising food for their own consumption ? and if the farmers cannot spare them a day in each week, there cannot be that surplus of labourers they have all been complain- ing of. But let me tell the farmers what Mr Beuutt's (the COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 20» Member for Wiltshire) told me, after enumerating the many advantages they derived from Mr B. letting them small portions of land, they said, " and besides, sir, we can, and do, twice as good a day's work for Mr Bennet,than we did before, for we can get a bellyfuU now, which we had not before, and therefore have something to work upon." If, then, the principle of the allotment system be perfectly understood, and acted on accordini:ly, it must be to the advan- tage of landlord, farmer, and landliolder ; und tJiovgh I say the principle is to let labourers raise their own food, I do not recom- mend, in commencing this system, so much land as this ; but let them half the quantity, and gradually increase it as circumstances will prescribe. \Vhen we knov; how many thousands are out of employ, and tens of thousands not sufficiently employed ; and when we know the misery and wretchedness caused by this; and when we assert, without fear of contradiction, that a class of people in tliis country (namely, the landholders united with the farmers) have the means, with an advantage to themselves, of placing it in the power of the poor to provide for themselves, I do not hesitate to say, that if they do not make use of the means, or bring forward some better opposing argument against it than has been already done, they will be the cause of nearly all the wretchedness in this country, and the crime that will ensue from it. I am fully persuaded there are many ways of ameliorating the condition of our labouring population, but I believe there is none so practicable, and that would be attended with so many permanent advantages, as the allotment system, and that would be equally felt by every other class of society, for it will act three ways upon our labouring population. First, by in- creased employment to the agricultural labourer, who will raise more food on his plot of ground than was raissd before; his condition will be bettered, and at the same time the ex- penses of his masters, the landlord and farmers) will decrease. Secondly, the expenses of the agriculturists being decreased, they will have more money to spend with the manufacturers, to give them an increased employment, and may afford at the same time to sell their food in the market at a lower rate, in consequence of their expenses being decreased ,- this again will enable the manufacturers to decrease the prices of their articles, and therefore people, who are neither agriculturists nor manu- facturers, will get their food and manufactures cheaper. And, thirdly, many a man who has been driven from the parish he lived in, to seek employment in large towns, will return back to his parish when he hears his brother parishioners are domg well ; p 210 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. and the farmers, who formerly thought him a burden, will now consider him an acquisition ; and this will relieve the towns of a superfluity of people, which they all have. There cannot be anything gained to this country by the food of the agricultural poor travelling about, before they are al- lowed to possess it, which is the case now that the farmers monopolise all the land, and send all its produce to the market, and when the farmers sell their labourers a part of their food (corn); that corn has the unnecessary labour of going into the farmer's barn, to be taken to the labourer's cottage at some future time ; all this unnecessary labour might be done away with, and at a time when labour is most required, ihat is, during the harvest, by the labourers raising the food that they re- quire as near as possible to their cottage, and stacking it on the spot ; there is certainly more labour employed during the time they are digging, but then is the time the farmers have not sufficient employment for the people, and even that extra labour is repaid by an extra produce. MISTAKEN OPPOSITION. [Fro5i an esteemed Female Correspondent.] Edward Morris, who received 2s. a day from the parish of Eastbourne, for standing idle on the roads, offered to the parish, that if at the same rate they would allow him to cover the bare shingle, east of Beachyhead, with clay from a marsh, as the proprietor had consented, and that he might rent of the parish all he could thus prepare for cultivation in twelve months, at 20s. an acre, and the acre and a half already covered with road scrapings ; that from the following Midsum- mer, 1833, he hoped to maintain himself and young family without parish assistance; and the proprietor of a third part of the parish, ofTered in writing, to guarantee the p?a'ish from charge on account of this man, till Midsummer 1834; but this was refused, and he has remained, ever since, a charge on the parish. The farmers say, " if we let that man maintain himself, others will wish it, and then where shall we get workmen?" This objection is one of the first raised by the farmers, and what is it ? why an acknowledgment that the landholders have the power of giving so much employment to the labourers, that the evil would be then the contrary to what it is now, a want of labourers, instead of a superfluity ; but it must be evident that if the landholders can do so much, they have also the power of regulating it. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 211 CHESHUNT. A Cottagers* Garden Association was established in the year 1831, at Cheshunt, the Committee of which report, that two fields have been rented: one of eight acres at the North end of Cheshunt-street, (the property of the Rev. C. Mayo) at a rent of 20/., and another of 5a. 2a. 33p. at GofF's Oak, (the property of J. H. Saunders, Esq.) at a rent of 11. 10s. The land has been, with only fovir exceptions out of forty-nine oc- cupiers, well cultivated, the rents have been cheerfully paid, and the tenants extremely grateful for the benefit they have received. Many labourers who, in the first instance, ridiculed their companions for renting the allotments, are now convinced of their error, and are very desirous of becoming tenants. The produce upon each quarter of an acre (with the four exceptions before mentioned) has been, upon an average, two tons of jiotatoes, besides an abundant supply of other vegetables during the summer. CONTRARY OPINIONS AMONG FARMERS. IMPROVIDENT REFUSAL. The following fact, is an instance among many, of that short- sighted policy, by which the labourers are prevented from im- proving their own condition, and condemned to perpetual, because unavoidable, dependence on parochial relief. April, 11th, 1833, Not many weeks ago, the Rev. John Austin, Rector of Pul- borough, ])ut the following questions to a numerous party of parish labourers, working on the roads at 9s. a week, who were in a very dissatisfied state: — " How far would you be ready to ease the parish rate, if you had each the use of a small )»lot of land ? Consider, and let me have your answer to-morrow." The result of their consultation was communicated the next day to Mr Austin, and was as follows: — " If the parish would let each of us have an acre of land, we would give a good rent for it, and moreover relinquish the amount of two days per week, parish pay." Having received this answer from the paupers, Mr Austin made a proposal to the farmers of this large and fertile parish, that they should spare 60 acres of arable land, in different allotments, for this purpose, and that he would be responsible for the rent ; — this they all declined. Signed by a neighbouring Magistrate. 21*2 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. FAVOURABLE TESTIMONIAL. In consequence of certain observations on the Allotment Sys- tem, Capt. Pole, R.N. has been thus addressed by the farmers, &c. of the parish of Barford, near Salisbury. "We, the undersigned farmers of the parish of Barford, are of opinion, that the plan recommended to us by Capt. John Pole, detailed in the following pages, will not only considerably benefit us, but be of great benefit to the poor man,— First, by enabling him to gain his subsistence independent of parish relief, and raising his condition altogether, and, at the same time, reduce the poor-rates, so that in a few years (allowing time for the aged to die) there will probably be no poor on the parish ; and also the great advantage of this plan is, that there is no compulsion on either side, that a whole parish, or individuals may act upon it, and that the good arising from it will be mutual; and we see no reason why it may not, with the greatest safety be generally adopted." Signed by Lord Pembroke's Steward and four Farmers. "We, the poor people of the parish of Barford, consider that the plan recommended by Capt. Pole will be of the greatest possible benefit to us in every way, and make us much happier and better men; and we also feel satisfied that a fair acre of ground will be sufficient to support a man, his wife, and four young children, he receiving the same wages as before, and cultivating the land in the way Capt. Pole recommends ; and the nearer the land is to the poor man's home, the more advantage it will be to him." Signed by sixteen Labourers. THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM ADVOCATED. [From an anonymous Pamphlet by an Inhabitant of Kent.] In transmitting his pamphlet to the public, but more particularly to the inhabitants of Kent, the writer has only to beg that the arguments adduced may be dispassionately weighed. He has endeavoured to trace the causes of the present distress and discontent amongst agricultural labourers up to their sources, and to suggest those remedies which appear to him, from ex- perience, the most speedy and eflectual. Asa very humble individual, it has been the grand object of his life to raise the agricultural labourers, in his immediate neighbourhood, from their degraded condition ; and, as far as his influence and means extended, he has tried the system of procuring them land at a moderate rent. He has exquisite pleasure, therefore, in bearing his testimony, that the plan has exceeded his most COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 213 sanguine expectations. If this humble work should rouse landlords and tenants from their present lethargy, to apply the only remedies for betterine: the condition of atrricultural la- bourers, — if even one honest peasant should be benefited by his efforts, he will feel amply rewarded for all the trouble and expence he may have incurred. It is notorious that there is much dissatisfaction amongst the peasantry against landlords and farmers. The writer is in the habit of mixing with the lower classes in his own neighbour- hood, and, for reasons which it is needless to specify here, of hearing their unreserved opinions. From this, and other circumstances, he is most clearly of opinion that something ought to be done, and sliortly, too, to remove the causes of the dissatisfaction. He would not yield one tittle to intimidation, but everything to justice. ****** It is the want of proper interest in their poor neigh- bours, — the almost entire absence of that kindness towards them which formerly distinguished the country gentry of England, that has produced much of the discontent and misery which now prevail. It is true, that within the last few years, something has been done by the gentry for the poor, by allotting them small portions of land for spade cultivation ; hut, proh pudor ! in many instances, ^tt'ice, and even l Name of Occupiers. De.scription and quiintity of Produce. Gro.^s iiinount of Producf. Outgoings. Amount. Nett. Brought forw 131 1 G 40 8 90 13 6 14 W. Pick- worth Barley, 2 bis. at 4s Peas, 2 bis. at 5s Potatoes, 45 bis. at Is. 3d. Straw, 1 truss 8 10 2 16 3 1 Rent, 1 A. Seed.... Labor,&c. 1 1 1 3 15 3 3 15 3 15 J.Baker. Barley, 13 bis. at 4s Potatoes, 35 bis. at Is. 3d. Straw, 7 truss at Is 2 12 2 3 9 7 Rent, 1 A. Seed .... Labour . . 10 1 1 5 2 9 3 2 2 9 16 R. Robinson. Potatoes, 50 bis. at Is. 3d. 3 2 6 Rent, 2 R 30 F... Seed Labour . . 8 6 7 6 3 2 6 1 1 6 2 1 Total amount of Produce. 143 2 Total out- goings. 47 9 6 NettTotal 95 12 6 TOTAL rUODUCF. From 15 A. 3 r. — £. s. <:/• Wheat, 105 bushels 39 7 6 Barley, 164 bushels 32 16 Beans, 49 bushels 12 5 Peas, 18 bushels 4 10 Potatoes646bushels 40 7 6 Straw, 276 trusses 13 16 £143 2 TOTAL COST. £. s. d. Rent 18 15 Seed 15 1 Labour, carriage, and manure . . 13 13 6 £47 9 6 Nett Profits, Easton Parish £95 12 6 «>•>•> COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. SUMMAUY OF PRODUCE AND PROI'lT AT ITCIllN TOTAI, PRODUCE. Barley, 192^ bushels 38 10 Potatoes, 1190 bushels 74 7 6 Beans, Straw, 8| bushels 2 2 6 140 trusses 7 £122 I TOTAL COST. i Rent, 9a. 2r. IOp. 10 8 ' Labour, carriage, manure, and'^ seed, ^ 21 £31 11 9 Nett Profits, Itchin Parish £90 8 3 Tiie number of labourers engaged in cultivating the above allot- ments was twenty-two. PARISH OF AVINGTON, September, 1832. Name of ' Description and Occupier, quantity of Prod\ice 1 J. Pain Barley, 19 bis. at 4s Potatoes, 60 bis. at Is. 3d. Straw, 10 truss liross amoun of Produce. 3 16 3 15 10 8 1 ; Outgoiogii. i Rent, I A. Lab.&ma. Seed , 1 barley Pot. 7bls, Aiuount Nett. 10 10 6 9 8 9. 1 15 6 6 5 6 PRODUCE AND PROFIT IN SUMMARY OF AVINGTON PARISH. Total gross produce — Wheat, 8i bushels 3 3 9 Barley, 47 8 i ditto 95 14 Potatoes, 999 ditto 62 8 9 Straw, 315 trusses 15 15 £177 1 6 Total outgoings 37 12 Nett Profits £139 9 6 The number of labourers engaged in cultivating the allotments ia this parish was twenty- five. TOTAL SUMMARY. iNuinb. ofl\. R. P. Parish. Allotints. Quantity. Easton . . Itchin . . Avington 16 22 25 15 9 12 3 2 10 36 63 [46 3 9 Produce. 143 2 122 177 1 6 442 6 Cost. Nett Profit 47 9 6 95 12 6 31 11 9 ] 90 8 3 37 12 139 9 6 116 13 3 1325 10 3 : COTTAGE mSBANDRY. 223 BERKSHIRE AUXILIARY SOCIETY. [From the Berkshire Chronicle.] On Monday, July the 22d, 1833, a meeting was held at the Town-hall, Reading, to obtain information respecting this So- ciety, and to ascertain how far its principles are applicable to the circumstances of this county. The morning was exceed- ingly wet, so that few persons from the country could attend, but the meeting made up in respectability what it wanted in numbers. P. Pusey, Esq. presided, and among the company were — Sir C. S, Hunter, I3art., H. Ptussell, Esq., Dr. Mitford, J. B. Monck, Esq., J. Wheble, Esq., J. Hay ward, Esq., W. Stone, Esq., Col. Blagrave, the Rev. Messrs. Milman, Dukinfield, and Cherry, G. Beauchamp, Esq., Colonel Dob- son, J. A. Anderdon, Esq., W, Merry, Esq., C. Simonds, Esq., and Mr Perry, the Agent of the Parent Society, through whose exertions the meeting had been convened. The Chairman proceeded to address the meeting, and explain its objects. They were met for the simple oliject of improvmg the condition of the agricultural labourer. All preser.t must feel that even the beauty and riches of the country, its pictur- esque cottages, and smiling fields, would avail little if famine were found in the cottao-es, and the classes who tilled the fields were discontented and wretched. If it were necessary to impress on gentlemen and yeomen the importance of providing for the comforts of the classes below them, the events of the last few years woidd prove its necessity. He did not believe that it would be beneficial to enable the labourer to derive his whole subsistence from his plot of ground : the allotment should only enable him to employ his leisure hours, and the leisure hours of his family. I have seen, said Mr P., children of six and seven years of age working in their father's garden ; and I have seen a lictle corner given to the child, which he might call his own ; and I have seen as much pride and emula- tion in cultivating this Lilliput garden, as the yeoman can have in the management of his farm, or the gentleman in improving his park. Mr Hayward had had some little experience of the working of the system. It had fallen to his lot to promote the allotment of portions of land to the labourers of his own parish, and in doing so he laboured under great difficulties, many persons being much prejudiced against the system. He, however, persevered, and succeeded, and the result v.-as that tlie gardens were well cultivated, and the poor man grateful. They had a plentiful stock of vegetables, possessed more comforts, and •2-24 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. became more independent. While walking a few days ngo with Dr Mitford, they met a poor woman, who showed by her manner that she wished them to notice her garden. They asked her which was her allotment, and his friend inquired if it had been of any service to her and her family ? The poor woman replied that her husband was not in regular employment, and for JiKe weeks had not been able to obtain a day's Avork. " But," said she, " we had our garden, and though he was so long out of work, we were not obliged to go to the parish to ask for a single farthing.'' Such had been the result of the system in his own parish, and he was sure no one who professed to be a follower of that benign Being, whose life was spent in doing good, would hesitate a moment in endeavouring to follow his example, though at an immeasurable distance. Mr R, Body said he had four acres of land at Shinfield, which he begged to place at the disposal of Mr Merry, the churchwarden of the parish, to be let as he should think fit to the deserving poor (cheers). Mr Stone said, that in justice to the Chairman, he must men- tion that Mr Pusey possesses an estate at Streatley, and that two or three years ago, when the leases were renewed, he reserved to himself twenty acres to be disposed of to the labourers, in the way recommended to-day (cheers). Mr Monck, Mr Russell, the Rev. H. C. Cherry, Sir C. S. Hunter, the Rev. Mr Milman, the Rev. Mr Dukinfield, and Mr Perry severally addressed the meeting. The resolutions for the formation of the Berkshire Auxiliary Society were passed unanimously, after which the meeting adjourned.* THE DUKE OF BEDFORD'S SYSTEM AT WOBURN. [Communication from His Grace.] Sir, London, July 27, 1833. I HAVE received the communication from the " Labourers' Friend Society," of the 13th ult. I am happy to say, tlie more I see of the effects attending the Allotment and Cottage Garden System, the more I am persuaded of the advantages derived • Notwithstanding, however, the promises of success held out by this important meeting, we do not find that steps have yet been taken towards the letting out of land in the vicinity either of Reading or of Windsor. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 225 from it by the labouring classes. I am convinced, that in a short time there will be scarcely a parish in Bedfordshire that has not adopted the system; and I am so well satisfied with its beneficial results, in the parishes where I possess property, that I am giving encouragement to it in other counties, Devon- shire, Bucks, &c. &c. If you wish for information respecting the different parishes in which it has already been established in Bedfordshire, with the good effects resulting from it, I beg leave to refer you to my steward, Mr Thomas Bennett, of Woburn. I am, &e. Bedford. STATEMENT FROM THOMAS BENNETT, ESQ., STEWARD TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BEDFORD. Sir, Woburn, August 12, 1833. I HAD the honour to receive your letter of the 6th, requesting information on the system of allotments to labourers, that has been pursued on his Grace the Duke of Bedford's estates, in Bedfordshire and Berks. The subject will lead me into some detail ; if you think any part is useful, you can select what you think proper. I should state first of all, that the labourers living in cottages, the property of the Duke of Bedford, had, in most cases, a plot of ground attached to their cottages, before the allotment sys- tem was begun. The first trial (as a system) was made at Maulden, in the winter and spring of 1829 and 1830, when IS acres of land were divided into lots of 20 to 40 poles each, and divided among 70 to 80 agricultural labourers. The Duke of Bedford, being anxious to extend the system as far as possible, caused allotments to l)e made, in the years 1830, 1831, and 1832, in the parishes of Lidlington, Evershott, Craw- ley, Ridgmont, Woburn, Willington, Cople, Knotting Loul- drope, and Oakley, to the number of 500, making, with some additions at Maulden, about 600 altogether. Printed conditions, one of which I forward, are given to the labourers when the land is allotted to them. The terms on which the land is let are precisely what it is worth to a farmer, Q 226 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. adding so much more as will merely cover the outgoings, viz. tithes, church, poors', and other rates : thus, if a piece of land is worth 30s. per acre to the farmer, suppose the outgoings 10s. more, is 40s., the rate per acre at which it would be charged to the labourers. The rent is collected, at one payment, on the 1 1th of October. It is always cheerfully paid ; I scarcely meet with a defaulter (if there happens to be one, he loses his plot); last year I think I had only two out of the whole number. When the land has required draining, the Duke of Bedford has been at the expence of doing it ; and for some barren land at Maulden, which was reclaimed and brought into cultivation, the occupier was only charged a nominal rent, until the produce was deemed sufiicient to repay hini for his trouble. Care is taken to get the allotments as near the dwellings as possible. It is gratifying to observe the pains the labourers take in culti- vating their plots. The quantity of land given to one family never exceeds 40 poles ; the intention is to furnish every family with a good gar- den, which, by employing the man at his over-hours, and the children in weeding, &c. (when not better employed), provides a good stock of vegetables at a cheap rate. A labourer, who is in constant employment, is satisfied that 40 poles are quite as much as he can spare time to attend to, and will say that 20 poles, well managed, will produce as much as 40, badly done. I have been asked by some people, what effect this plan has produced on the poor-rates, or what good has it done ? My answer is, that we see no diminution in the poor-rates; nor is it to be expected that an evil of so long standing, and such magnitude, is to be got rid of by simply giving to every man a plot of ground to cultivate ; neither can we say that we can perceive any good that has vet arisen ; but I have great faith in tliinking that the system will, in process of time, effect a great change in the habits and domestic comforts of the labourer. If the employment in his garden at spare times pre- vents his resorting to the ale-house, that is surely one grand object attained : his comforts at home must be improved, be- cause, having the means of getting a better supply of vegetables at a cheaper rate, he has, or ought to have, more of his earn- ings to carry to the butcher, baker, &c. ; he is also enabled to feed a pig, which makes manure for his garden, and, when fat, furnishes him with a good stock of pork, either for his own use or for sale. The plan is now very generally carried into eflPect in this county, and in the parishes of Flitton and Clophill (estates belonging to Lord de Gray, and Riseley, to Lord St John), land to the extent of 2 to 4 acres has been allotted ; but COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 227 what the real eflects are, I have no means of saying. I have observed some of the plots very fairly cultivated, and some very badly. The Duke of Bedford has also tried the plan at Chenies, in Bucks, but the people are not alive to the advanta<^es of it ; and this year I had some difficulty to persuade them to try it, on a veri/ small scale. 1 have no doubt but they will, in time, appre- ciate it better. I heg to state, that I shall at any time be glad to give you such information as I may possess, as relates to the benevolent object the Society has in view. • I have the honour to be, &c. Thomas Bennett, PRODUCTIVE AND UNPRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT —A CONTRAST. [From Mr Purt.] Edmonton, Middlesex, January 1826. TfiE overseer of the upper district of this parish gave the young men, who could not obtain employment, a shilling a day to carry cards and letters to London, or other places about the same dis- tance, and exchange them for others before he paid them. Being expostulated with on the absurdity and foolishness of employing the men in that way, he said it was better than giving the money for nothing. Not many miles distant from the above place, the overseer made the men carry sand-bags about great part of the day, be- fore he paid them. Near Brentwood, in Essex, an opulent farmer being ordered by the magistrates to find the men employment, he set them to turning a grind-stone, and to carry logs of wood round a hap- pet all day. Another overseer employed the men to pick the black oats from the white. I have known overseers to make the men pump water all day, and let it run waste,- and also the boys to empty large tubs of water with a half-pint measure, and fifl them again in the same way, all day long. 228 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. On such-like foolery, and in paying able-bodied men for doing nothing, has half the poors'-rates, in almost every parish, been expended. EMPLOYMENT, PUODUCTIVE AND WISE. Nov, 1833. — In the same district at Edmonton, where [the men in 1826 had been so very unproductively and foolishly em- ployed, the Rev. Mr Serl has purchased three acres of land, and divided each acre into eight parts, and let it to the labour- ing men in the parish at 7s. 6d. per annum, rent, for each allot- ment. At this time there are excellent crops of potatoes and other vegetables on all the allotments, except two that are cultivated by the idle. Thos. Purt, 24th June, 1833, 13 St Blary-hill, London, ROSS FIELD GARDEN SOCIETY. [FaoM Captain George Adams. J Vaga Lodge, Ross, August 12th, 1833, When in a former letter I had the pleasure to acquaint you that the Ross Field Garden Society had succeeded in procuring land for the establishment of the allotment system, I omitted to say that the descendants of the celebrated Man of Ross came forward in the true spirit of their benevolent ancestor, and made an offer of part of that picturesque estate formerly his, called the Cleeve, hanging over the banks of the Wye, so well known for its delightful scenery, which now forms a double point of attention to the visitor, to behold the lovely prospect blended with the hand of benevolence and industry, where " Pleas'd Vaga echoes thro' her winding bounds. And rapid Severn hoarse applause resounds. Who hung witli woods yon mountain's sultry brow ? From the dry rock, who bade the water flow ? Nor to the skies in useless columns tost, Or in proud falls magnificently lost, But clear and artless, pourinp; through the plain. Health to the sick, and solace to the swain."* The well-known walks, formed by MrKyrle, a mile in length, still exist, a part of which form the margin of our Field Gar- dens, without the least interruption to the numerous visitors who frequent them. * Pone's Man of Ross. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 229 I have much satisfaction in stating, that undiminished suc- cess continues to crown the labours of the Committee, and the blessing of abundance has hitherto been the reward of the laljourer; and have the pleasure to add, that we have just gone through a third half-yearly rent-day, which passed off" like the two former, without a single defaulter; nor have we had to complain of a violation or infringement of the Rules, a copy of which I beg to enclose. fSee Appendix.) It is very pleasing to observe your system continues to work well ; the spread it has already made gives an earnest for its further extension here, as well as in other parts of the United Kingdom, which must be a source of unmixed satisfaction to the illustrious founders of the Institution, and produce grati- tude in the minds of the labouring poor. The Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth recently purchased a con- siderable estate in this county; and, with that characteristic be- nevolence so peculiar to his lordship, gave directions that a certain quantity of land should be apportioned to each cottage, which was carried promptly into effect, and received by the labourers with much thankfulness. Colonel Money, a considerable landholder, has adopted the allotment system in the parish of JMuch Marcle, and in other places where his property extends. Wm. H. Harford, Esq., has directed that all the cottagers living on his estate, in the parish of Marstow, should hold a sufficient portion adjoining each cottage, to employ them at leisure hours, and enable them to support their families by their industry with comfort. From Mr Perry. — Sir J. Lock has expressed his hearty ap- proval of the principles of this Society, by informing Mr Perry, that he means to let off, in plots of fortv perches, a field of six and a half acres, in the parish of St Clement's, Oxford, to la- bourers, mechanics, &c. Mr P. also reports, from a communication kindly made to him by the highly esteemed Member, E. F. Colson, Esq., that Lord JMiddleton, who, at Wollaston Hall, near Nottingham, has acted on our system for the last forty years, Sir J. Smith, Bart., and E. F. Colson, Esq., of Filkins Hall, Oxon, joint proprie- tors of the Manor of Westerleigh, Gloucestershire, seven miles from Bristol, have given orders to their Steward to apportion some of the unenclosed land to their colliers and agricultural labourers. 230 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. BANBURY AUXILIARY SOCIETY. [From the NoRTHAjirroN Herald, September, 14, 1833.] A NUMEROUS and respectable meeting of the Labourers' Friend Society, established under the patronage of their Majesties, and supported by many of the Nobility, Members of Parliament, Clergy, Landowners, &c., was held on Friday the 6th of Sep- tember, 1833, at the National School-room, Banbury, the Rev. J. R. Rushton in the chair. — The meeting was called for the purpose of hearins: an explanation of the views and objects of the Society, (which were detailed at considerable length by Mr Perry the agent of the Society,) and of taking into considera- tion the means by which those viev.-s and objects might be most etiectually promoted in the district surrounding Banbury. Mr Perry was followed by energetic addresses from the Rev. Messrs Greaves, Baring, W. Wilson, and others; who spoke from experience, having appropriated allotments of land to the poor of their respective parishes for some years past. A Committee was formed for the purpose of giving effect to the views of the Parent Society, comprising upwards of twenty gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood v.-ho, we doubt not, will efficiently and successfully carry them into effect. — The following gentlemen took part in the business of the day : — Rev. IMr Greaves, of Deddington ; Mr Perry, from the Parent Society; the Mayor of Banbury; Rev. Mr Baring; Rev. W. Wilson, of Worton and Walthamstow ; J. W. Golby, Esq.; J. A. Gillett, Esq.; T. Cobb, Esq.; C. Faulkner, Esq.; R. H. Rolls, Esq. ; Rev. C. A. Heurtly, of Hardington ; Mr Edmunds; R. Heydon, Esq. ; and others. The following were the resolutions passed at the meeting : 1st. Moved by the Rev. R. Greaves, seconded by Mr Perry, — That this meeting cordially approves of the objects of the Labourers' Friend Society, established in London, for the pur- pose of advocating the leltmg of portions of land to labourers, and printing and disseminating " Facts and Illustrations," show- ing the benefits arising therefrom. 2nd. Moved by C. Brickvvell, Esq., seconded by the Rev. C. Baring, — That, to enable the Labourers' Friend Society ex- tensively to efl'ect these objects, landowners, occupiers, and others, are invited to become members, and are requested to further the objects of this Society in their respective neighbour- hoods. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 281 3rd. Moved by the Rev. Mr Wilson, seconded by J. W. Golby, Esq., — That this meeting strongly recommends for general adoption the practice of grantinsj to labourers such allotments of land as they can cullivate, with the aid of iheir families, at their leisure hours, at the same proportionate rent as would be paid by cultivators on a more extensive scale. 4th. Moved by J. A. Gillett, Esq., seconded by Timothy Cobb, Esq., — 'I'hat an Auxiliary Society, to be called " The Ban- bury District Labourers' Friend Society," be formed, and that an annual meeting of the members and friends of the said So- ciety be held at such time and place as the Committee shall appoint, and of which they shall give notice. 5th. Moved by Mr C. Faulkner, seconded by T. Time, Esq., — That the foilowins: gentlemen shall constitute a Committee .... (with power to add to their number) for promolmg, collectively and individually, the system of allotments to the labouring poor, in the manner which they may deem most conducive to its success and periDanency : — liev. C. Baring ; Rev. R. Greaves; J. W. Golby, Esq. ; J. A." Gillett, Esq. ; Mr Lamb, of Adder- bury ; Mr Faulkner, of ditto; Rev. C. A. Heurtly; Mr T. Gardner; Rev. J, R. Rushton ; Mr Edmonds; Mr J. G. Rusher; R. Heydon, Esq.; Mr Alt>ed Beesley; Mr Samuel Beesley ; Mr E. Railton ; T.Tims, Esq.; R. H. Rolls, Esq.; Timothy Cobb, Esq.; Thomas Brayne, Esq.; Mr Hirons; Rev. S. Nel- son ; Mr Hitchcock, of Bodicot; G. Moore, Esq.; Rev. F. Litch- field ; J. Pain, Esq. ; C. Brickwell, Esq. ; Mr Atkins, of Grims- bury ; and Mr John Drury. 6th. Moved by the Rev. C. A. Heurtly, seconded by IMr Edmunds— That the Lord Bishop of O.^ford be requested to accept the office of Patron to this Society. THE ALLOTMENTS AT BANVVELL. [From a IVIembeh of the Laeourers' Friend Society.] Weston Super-Mare, Sept. 2, 1333. To THE EniTor. of the Bristol IMirror. Sir — Having heard that the system of allotting garden-ground to the labouring poor was conducted on a large scale at l^an- well, near this place, I last week rode over; and never shall I forget the impression made upon my mind, when passing through the demesne of the benevolent Bishop of Bath and Wells, who 232 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. is the owner of the soil. The scene was truly gratifying — to witness the husband, wife, and children, all gathering the fruits of their industry. Their very countenances bespoke the feelings of their hearts — all was content and happiness. The variety of produce, the good cultivation of the land, and the personal grateful acknowledgments of the boon bestowed upon them, was the most flattering proof of its efficacy. On in- quiry, I was given to understand that, by the judicious manage- ment of Mv Emery, a gentleman residing in the parish, and a friend of the Bishop's, who has kindly conducted the arrange- ments from its first commencement, now eight years ago, every deserving poor family, upwards of one hundred in number^ is supplied with a piece of land, at a price moderately fixed by that gentleman, and the rent is as regularly paid to the bailiff as the season comes round. Should any well-inclined individual have any doubt on his mind of the good effects of the system, here so manifestly and so advantageously practised, I think he need only take a ride to Banwell, and be there convinced that it is from fear and prejudice alone the plan of allotting garden- land to the poor has not been carried into execution in every village throughout the kingdom, v/hich I am pleased to witness is fast increasing, and doubt not but in the course of a few years will be universally adopted. LABOURERS' COTTAGES. Estates being of no value without hands to cultivate them, the labourer is one of the most valuable members of society ; with- out him the richest soil is not worth owning: his situation then should be considered and made at least comfortable, if it were merely out of good policy. There is certainly no object so highly deserving the country gentleman's attention ; his in- terest and his duty eqiially prompt him to do all he can, to place him upon a better footing than he is at present. The first point to be taken into consideration, is the cottages which these useful people inhabit; and, next, how far their condition can be improved, by better regulations. The shattered hovels which half the poor of this kingdom are obliged to put up with, is truly affecting to a heart fraught with humanity. Those who condescend to visit these miserable tene- ments can testify that neither health nor decency can be pre- served in them ; the weather frequently penetrates all parts of COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 233 them, which must occasion illness of various kinds, particularly agues, which more frequently visit the children of cottag:ers than any other, and early shake their constitution ; and it is shocking that a man, his wife, and half a dozen children, should be obliged to live in one room together; and, more so, that the wife should have no private place to be brought to bed in. This description is not exaggerated, offensive as it may appear; we are all careful of our horses, nay of our dogs, which are less valuable animals; we bestow considerable attention upon our stables and kennels, but we are apt to look upon cottages as incumbrances and clogs to our property, when, in fact, those who occupy them are the very nerves and sinews of agricul- ture. Cottagers are indisputably the most beneficial race of people we have; they are bred up in greater simplicity, live more primitive lives, more free from vice and debauchery, than any other set of men of the lowest class, and are the best formed and enabled to sustain the hardships of war, and other laborious services. Great towns are destructive both to morals and health, and are the greatest drains we have; for where many of the lower people crowd together, they are obliged to put up with bad accommodation, and unwholesome confined air, which breeds contagious distempers, debilitates their bodies, and shortens their lives. Since it is apparent that all such towns must cause a diminution, or waste of people, we cannot be at a loss to trace the spring which feeds these channels — the coun- try must be the place; and cottages and small farms the chief nurseries which support the population. I am far from wishing to see the cottage improved or aug- mented, so as to make it fine or expensive : no matter how plain it is, provided it be tight and convenient. All that is requisite, is a warm, comfortable, plam room for the poor inhabitants to eat their morsel in — an oven to bake their bread — a little re- ceptacle for their small beer and provisions — and two whole- some lodging apartments, one for the man and his wife, and another for their children. It would be more decent, if the boys and girls could be separated, but this would make the building too expensive ; and, perhaps, is not so materially ne- cessary, as the boys find employment in the farm houses, at an early age.* * We are sorry to say, that this good old custom of boarding and lodging the boys and unmarried men in the farm-houses is almost out of fashion, and we know not what has more tended to tlie demoralization of the labour- ing population than their being thus deprived of this shelter, and the whole- some control of the farmer. 234 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, GILLINGHAM (DORSET) AUXILIARY SOCIETY. [From W. 11. Belt,; Esq.] I BELIEVE I 2:ave you to understand that our rent-day was fixed for Michaelmas, when our tenants were informed that they would be expected to pay their yearly rent ; the land, recollect, they entered upon in the Spring of the present year, and the hour fixed for their attendance was seven in the evening, — before eight every tenant had paid his rent; we had not a single murniur, and all went off most satisfactorily. The allotments held of this Society vary in size, from one rood to nearly one acre, and are let at 3r/. and Ad. per perch, according to the quality of the soil. The total quantity of land thus occupied, by fifty-one persons, is 25a. 1 r. 4p. THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. We are happy to find, from the following extract from the last yearly epistle of this active Christian body, that they are turn- ing their attention to the wretched and impoverished condition of the labouring population. " The degraded and demoralized state of the poor, in many parts of the United Kingdom, and the great extent of crime, have at this time deeply affected us. — We therefore entreat friends, in their respective situations in town and country, to search out the causes of these things. — We apprehend that among these causes will be found those abridgments of the comforts of the labourer, which tend to a wretched and dis- reputable pauperism. We earnestly desire that friends may be exemplary in their attention to this important subject; and that they may encourage their neighbours, and unite widi them in their endeavours, to apply a remedy to these evils. — And seeing it is sin v/hich separates tlie soul from God, and that ignorance and intemperance, vice and irreligion, so much pre- vail among the inhabitants of the British Isle, we are desirous that our members may allow their sympathies to be awakened for these our fellow-subjects; and may their religious concern extend to other parts of Christendom similarly circumstanced, with an earnest desire ihat, under the blessing of Providence, they may be made instrumental to effect a real improvement in the domestic, moral, and religious state of our fellow-men." COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 23-3 We anticipate from the intelligent, well-directed philanthropy of the Society of Friends, that, when they are fully acquainted with the results of the system recommeiuled by the Labourers' Friend Society, they will zealously co-operate in its extension. Already we have to number among its practical supporters, William Allen, Esq., Plough court, Lombard street; Messrs Gibson, at Saffron Walden ; Messrs Marriage and Knight of Chelmsford; iMr Allen of Coggeshall ; Messrs Clark of Southampton; Mr Hall, of Uxbridge ; several gentlemen con- nected with the Gillingham Association, and numerous others in different parts of the country. EXTENSION OF THE SYSTEM TO THE MANUFAC- TURING POPULATION. [Fkom Ma Pebrt, Travelling Agent of the Society.] Cirencester, Oct. 21, 1833. I HAVE attended and addressed two most interesting and triumphant meetings, — the former at Uley, on Thursday, when more than 150 of the labouring classes attended ; and the hitter at Wooton-under-Edge, on Friday, when fully 200 of the same rank were present. On tiie latter occasion I spoke for two ]iours. — Never shall I forget the manner in which I was lis- tened to by all present on tb.cse occasions, but especially by those who were the objects contemplated by our system. At Wooton a numerous committee was appointed. At Uley, our old and tried friend, Capt. Slade, late of Wellington, but now residino; in the village just named, has arranged to have about thirty-three acres of land from our generous and noble-minded supporter. Col. Kingscote, closely adjoining to the weavers' houses, which he is to-relet in plots of sixty or eighty poles, and be responsible for tiie rent. The poor fellows, as well as their wives and children, both here and at Stroud, and its numer- ous surrounding villages, and also at Wooton, are delighted and overjoyed at the prospect of obtaining bits of land. Land has for "years been let to poor fannlies in Uley parish, at 10/, per acre ; and yet, even at that oppressive rent, they coidd not bear the idea of losing it: a pretty fair specimen of wbat benefit they may derive from it now at less than one-third of that amount. 236 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. [From P. Gaskell, Esq.*] Peter Street, Manchester, Aug. 1, 1833. The moral and physical advantages which would accompany the extension of the system of small allotments and garden- plots, amongst the manufacturing population in large towns and in crowded districts, are many, and sufficiently obvious. — I have indeed no hesitation in saying that it would form one ingredient for the basis of a safe and satisfactory plan for the social regeneration of this extensive class of our countrymen. It would give me great satisfaction to see the plan fairly tried in small towns, villages, and scattered hamlets; in the manu- facturing districts, hand-loom weavers, wliether silk or cotton, and inferior artizans of other classes, would be signally bene- fited by it. This assertion I maiie from having in ray eye several instances where the social rank and moral habits of in- dividuals have exhibited very striking superiority over those of others around them, by the cultivation of a small garden before and after the hours of labour. In the language of one of these parties, " You see, sir, it keeps me from the ale-houses ; and the air, the work, and the suiell of the earth, do me good," There are many curious circumstances connected with the uni- versal decay of small farms and gardening amongst hand-loom weavers and others, and I regret that my present engagements prevent me entering so fully into that, and into the best and most feasible modes of re-establishing them as I should wish. The revolution that property, character, and occupation, have imdergone with their different bearings, would all require con- sideration. None of the works published by the Society having come under my notice, I cannot, of course, say how far their diffusion among the operatives, aided by the co-operation of influential individuals, might tend to pave the way for the system recom- mended ; neither, from the same cause, is it in my power to suggest anything on that head. — Whatever is written for them should come down, as near as possible, to their intellectual level, and should be illustrated in a way to tell upon their own situations. The great effort should, I conceive, be to influence the people themselves; no difficulty would arise if that could be effected, and not much can be done without it. I should have had great pleasure in entering into details, but now (and this will be the case for a short time) it is out of my power to dwell more particularly on the subject; my assistance will be ever given to any plan which has for its object the ame- * Author of a valuable work on " The State of the Manufacturing Po- pulation." COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. '237 lioration of the condition of the labouring poor. Much may be done, and I consider that the Society has adopted one means of effecting a noble, generous, and patriotic purpose. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TAUNTON COMMITTEE. Tnr. first Anniversary of this Society was held at the Market House, in this town, on Friday, Oct. 25th, 1833. Present E. A. Sandford, Esq., M.P.; C. J. K. Tynte, Esq. M. P. ; Sir T. B. Lethbridge, Bart.; Rev. W. P. Thomas; Drs Blake and King- lake ; and Sir T. D. Acland, Bart., who was in the chair. Mr. J. Young, the Secretary, read the following Report of the Committee. " In fulfilment of the trust reposed in them at the formation of the Society, twelve months ago, your Committee used much exertion to obtain some land, fur the purpose of letting it to the poor; and, after encountering very many obstacles, they suc- ceeded in taking about twelve acres, belonging to Mr .James Pring, situate between Mile End and the village of Bathpool, on a lease of seven years, and at the rent of 601. per annum, the landlord discharging all rates and taxes; and your Com- mittee think it proper to remark, that although the rent may appear high, every reasonable means were used to obtain it on lower teims, but without effect. " About six acres of this land came into possession of the Society at Lady-day last, and was immediately let in allotments of about one rood each, to twenty-six labouring men, who became the willing tenants at six-pence per perch, per annum ; and these tenants have since been industriously employed iu cultivating it, principally with potatoes, which, notwithstanding tlie unfavourable season, and the late period at which they had possession of the ground, promised to yield a fair crop. " The rents for each quarter have been cheerfully paid in every instance. " The remainder of the land came into possession of the Society at Michaelmas last, and your Committee have since let it in twenty allotments, of about one rood each, to as many labouring men, most of whom have large families, hi conse- quence of the loss jf ground in fenc^^-^ and roadways, it was found expedient to let this field at eight-pence per perch per anaum, to which rate the field first alloteJ is to be raised at the expiration of the first year. It v/ill be seen by the Trea- 238 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. surer's account that the difference in the rent to be paid and that received from the tenants, together with the expences attendant on the formation of the Society, leave but a small sum in its favour; and your Committee feel it to be their duty to urge on the friends of the labouring- poor an increase of exertion in their behalf, in order that a cause fraught v.'ith many and great bene- fits to the community at large may not be suffered to languish; and they would here take the liberty of saying, that the exer- tions required are by no meons arduous, if divided, as all labour of the kind ouiiht to be, and amongst a well-organized Com- mittee; yet if allov/ed to fall on a few who may happen to be most constant in their attendance, it becomes burdensome, and the business of the Society cannot be well discharged. " The infant state of the Society naturally precludes your Committee from giving you any detail in figures of the beneficial results of the plan at Taunton ,- but they would refer anyone who may be incredulous as to the good resulting from this and similar Societies, to the pages of the monthly pubhcation of the London Society; here they will find facts, the reading of which would occupy too much of the time of this Meeting, — facts which might be adduced as a strong proof of the advantages which have already resulted from the plan of letting small parcels of land to the labouring poor, to be cultivated by the spade, during such hours as can be spared, without interfering with their regular daily labour; and your Committee are anxious that this, the simple object of the Society, should neither be misunderstood nor forgotten : and they also wish it to be kept in view that this is not to be considered in the light of cliadty, but simply for the- promotion of industrious habits among the labouring classes, and afFording them assistance in procuring land, which they might not be otherwise able to effect by their owh uiir-ssistcd efllrls: for it must always be remembered that there is a large class of our ieilow-countrymen whose only capi- tal and stock-in-trade, is their daily labour; and, as society is now constituted to make the best of this, they must have some means beyond those ordinarily within their reach. " Your Committee would take the liberty of reminding you, that among the objects contemplated at the formation of the Society, that of diffusing information through the western parts of the country, on objects embraced by this and kindred So- cieties, Avas prominent ; but they regret that it has not been yet in thei'r power to effect much towards this desirable end, but they hope that by vour co-operation and assistance it may yet be accomplished; 'but much will depend on individual exer- tion." This report gave great satisfaction to the meeting, and several COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 230 resolutions were founded thereon in furtherance of the objects of the Society. The Rev. W. F. Ciiilcott described the beneficial operation of the Society within the s]jhere of his immediate neig'hbouihood. The quantity of land is not intended to l)e suilicient to make the labourer a small farmer, nor in any way whatever to interfere with his six days' labour. Under this system, the labourer is enabled to earn for himself that difference between his wages and the sum which his wants require. At leisure hours, or for days together when out of employment, he and his wife and children will, at all limes, have a profitable occupation at their very door. There will be no waste of time, (the greatest waste of wealth to those whose time is their only capital,) as every spare hour may be turned to a gainful account; and thus is the man in a fair way, under the blessing of Providence, of becoming mere attached to his home, of being a better husband, a better father, and a better servant to his employer, and alto- gether abetter man. For I am quite sure any oneniay observe a striking difierence, as to happiness and general contentment, between the labourer who has something of this sort to interest him, and the poor fellow who has notiiing but his naked cot- tage walls and empty pockets to think about. The former, who has property, however small, has an interest in the welfare and tranquillity of his country, and in the good order of society. The latter, who has no property, is always ready for noveltv and experiment: and although halters and gibbets may for a while keep him from atrocious acts, yet, in the absence of a higher, purer principle, he has no motive to fix him in steady habits, or to attach him to the national prosperity, or constituted order of property, in which he fancies he has no interest. Now, the system of tliis Society is calculated to raise a man from such a degraded state, by opening to him the prospect of bettering his condition ; and, even should he have beome idle and improvi- dent by that undistinguishing and levelling system, which paid every man, not according to his earnings, but according to the number of persons in his house, he may yet be brought to learn industry and economy in a better school. Unless we can at- tach persons to the constituted order of things by some tie, feeble and insecure will be the restraint which the mere fear of punishment can produce. The most valuable of all obedience is willing obedience: and ill, indeed, will forced submission supply its place — in the former only is there safety. The sys- tem is eminently calculated to make obedience not only williiio-, but agreeable. And, further, by enabling the labourer to em- ploy himself profitably, you at the same lime, and in the same degree, benefit every class in society; for, as he is enabled to extend his dealings with the village tradesman and village shop- 240 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. keeper, so is a spur given to the home trade of th.e country ; for the more goods that are bought of the manufacturer, the more money will the manufacturer be enabled to lay out in the purchase of agricultural produce, and so it would be with re- gard to articles of commerce. Dr King LAKE observed^ that the Labourers' Friend Society was an institution of the highest importance to the welfare of the country at large. It related to the vast multitude which constitutes the main population of the country. The capa- bility of masculine exertion is the inherent possession of man — it is his natural capital, whicli .nay, and ought to be so worked, as to be available for every purpose of sufficient and comfort- able existence. The working classes are necessarily consumers, and they should be provided with the means of becoming ade- quate producers of what is requisite to their \veil-beir>g. No situation can be more awful than that of insufficient labour for the immense number, who are wholly dependent on the proceeds of manual exertion. The society in vv'hich such deficiency occurs is inevitably exposed to appalling difficulties, from which it would be wise to seek the earhest and most effectual means of extrication. The scheme of furnishing a suitable allotment of land to the industrious cultivator is a just appeal to the honest feelings of independence, that would disdain any other source of supply than that which arises from self-exertion. It is, therefore, the great actuating principle of the Labourers' Friend Society to elicit, by appropriate encouragement, the pro- ductive industry of the labourer, to an extent that shall proudly raise him above parochial aid ; it is exclusively to cast him on his own manual powers, and to render him altogether supe- rior to charitable assistance. What the Labourers' Friend Society contemplates is in no sense eleemosynary, but intended to promote such permanent habits of lucrative industry as may afford the best security against deficiency and want. An inherent equality pervades the whole family of mankind: and no individual should be so limited and circumvented as to be deprived of the means of procuring, by personal labour, a sufficient maintenance. The market for personal labour, and the aggregate amount of its proceeds, should be ample for all the exigencies of human sustenance. No expedient is, perhaps, more likely to effect the beneficial influence needed, than a progressive extension of the provident designs of the Labourers' Friend Society. The benefit already obtained on a small scale, may be realized on a larger ; and thus a cheer- ing prospect of increasing advantage is fairly atforded. In erecting the labourer into a small cultivator, in imparting to him the persuasion of his possessing an available capital in his labour, and in exempting him from the degrading necessity of COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 241 resortincr to parochial assistance, he will assume his true position in society, and become alike his own benefactor and that of the community. The Labourers' Friend Society proposes to accom- plish this benevolent object, and is therefore intitled to the zealous support of all who would advance the most natural and best interests of mankind. Sir T. B. Leth BRIDGE said, that the present meeting was not convened for the purpose of conferring charity, but to assist honest and industrious men, in attaining that elevation of cha- racter, which the means of independently supporting themselves necessarily promoted ; — to enable him, in fact, to help himself, and not with a crushed spirit, merely to rely for support on any other resource than that which his own diligence, and his own honest spirit, would supply. This Society, the Hon, Bart, thought, would not stop here. He hoped that similar institutions would appear throughout the country, and they would have his cordial support; but he was anxious that the motives from which they sprang should not be mistaken ; and that a spirit of be- nevolent solicitude to improve the comforts of the poor man and his family should not be misinterpreted, and divested of its fair claim to that honourable estimation, which attend upon, and are due to, generous exertions on behalf of those wao need them. C. J. Kemys Tvnte, Esq. M.P., R. Ball, Esq. J. Young, Esq. Dr Blake, and E. A. Sand ford. Esq- all spoke in favour of the objects of the meeting. Sir T. D. AcLAXDsaid that he had rode thirty miles that mornins for the purpose of being present at this meeting, and it had been a great pleasure to him ; and he hoped by tlie next meeting, every gentleman would have to report, that on his pro- perty, and in his neighbourhood, the purposes of the Society had been fultilled. The Hon. Bart, tiien related a variety of interesting: facts, which had come under his observation, con- nected with the system under whicli his own property was go- verned, in respect to its agricultural labourers. He had, from the first period of his taking possession of his estates, felt a strong aversion to see applicants at the parish table, and he was resolved to obviate so unwelcome a spectacle. He had therefore done that which it was worth while for gentlemen to do, be- cause it siiowed how much iriijjht be done with a little sacriHce : he had, by adding only one shilling a week to the then rate of wages, been enabled to adhere to liie stern inflexible rule of re- taining his labourers only so long as they refrained from the parish pay-table. They knew that a violation of this rule would kad to tiieir discharge, and he had been so fortunate, by per- severing in its strict observance, to keep them in long and steady R 242 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, attachment to his service. — (Jfplause.) The lion. Bart, had for several years, in a considerable degree, adopted the practice recommended by this Society. His work-people had their cot- tages and small gardens, which enabled them to furnish them- selves with a portion of their necessary sustenance; and at his usual dinner to them every Christmas, they uniformly evinced towards him the most grateful attachment. They became thus partial to their local stations, and were contented and cheerful. The Hon. Bart, communicated a number of other interesting incidents, in illustration of the subject, which amply attested the generous spirit and exalted feeling by which he had been influ- enced in sanctioning the meeting. ALLOTMENT SYSTEM AT COLCHESTER. On Wednesday, 13th of Noveml^er, 1833, a lecture on this subject was delivered by Mr Pjlkington, an agent of the Labourers' Friend Society, at the Moot-hall, when a very re- spectable company of gentlemen, clergy, farmers, and others of the town and neighbourhood attended. Mr Pilkington com- menced his lecture by observing that he would simply confine himself to the recital of facts, well aware that those gentlemen who had honoured him with their attendance, were quite as well, or better able than himself to draw their own conclusions therefrom. The lecturer then proceeded to detail the principle on which the Labourers' Friend Society had been established, the plan of operations recommended by them, and the univer- sally beneficial results. A train of argument followed, showing that the system of providing allotments of land for spade-culti- vation during the leisure hours had been not only beneficial to the labourer as far as his physical condition was considered, but that it had been instrumental in reviving in the hearts of those who enjoyed such advantages, that wholesome morality and inde- pendence of character which had formerly distinguished the British peasant; that the benefits of the system were also extended to those about them, inasmuch as the burden of the poor-rates had been lessened, and the farmers had been better served ; that the good feelings, once the pride of the English labourer, were not dead, but only dormant. The above argu- ments were supported by a host of facts related by the lecturer; and he concluded by suggesting the propriety of forming an Auxiliary Society for the purpose of carrying the plans of the Allotment System into efi'ect in this town and neighbourhood. At the conclusion of the lecture Mr Pilkington was greeted COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 243 with the applause of the audience, who appeared well satisfied with his exposition of the AHotment System. A conversation ensued between many of the gentlemen present, and there appeared a general impression in favour of a trial of the plans recommended. A Committee of the following gentlemen was then formed, for the purpose of obtaining in- formation on the subject, and to report to a future meeting:— Sir George Henry Smyth, Bart., George Round, Esq.; Rev. James T. Round, Philip Havens, Esq., and J. W. E. Green, Esq. LORD CHURCHILL,— THE LADIES OF HINTON ABBEY.— P. PUSEY, ESQ. [From the Devizes Gazette.] At Lord Churchill's late iVIichaelmas rent-day for the cottage allotments of land to the poor of West Lavington, it is truly gratifying to find that every one of the tenants, amounting to 136 in number, paid their rents on that day. There was not a single defaulter ; and upwards of forty applications were made to the agent for more land. ALLOTMENTS OF LAND AT CHARTER-HOUSE, HINTON. This system has been introduced into this parish under the most favourable auspices. The land is let by the ladies of Hinton Abbey at the moderate rent of IZ. 10s. per acre ; which, as it includes the poor-rates, is much the same as paid by farmers for similar land. The last half-year, five acres have been thus appropriated; at Michaelmas, ten additional acres; and, next spring, five more will be added ; making in all twenty acres. The first five acres were divided amongst ten tenants, each of whom paid his half-year's rent most punctually. The whole number of tenants now is about thirty, and next spring will probably amount to forty, as there is great desire on the part of the inhabitants generally to obtain the allotments. Monday, the 21st ultimo, a very interesting meeting took place at the Dolphin Inn, in the parish of Hinton, where twenty-six of the occupiers partook of the refreshments provided for them by the patrons of the institution, who are the ladies of Hinton Abbey, Harold Brooke, Esq., and the Rev. T. Spencer, incumbent of the parish ; the two last of whom are subscribers to the " La- 244 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. bourers' Friend Society" lately established in Bath. The fol- lowing is the substance of the rules agreed upon and signed by the parties concerned : — " 1 hat no person is to underlet or exchange his ground. The land to be cultivated by the spade, and not by the plough. The rent to be paid half yearly. Any person working in his ground on Sunday, or committing tres- pass on his neighbour's allotment, or being guilty of theft or other misconduct, shall be deprived of his land, and receive the value of his crop, according as the same shall be determined by live of the other tenants. And, lastly, the proprietors of the land on their part pledge themselves to continue the land to their tenants so long as the foregoing rules are kept." Three prizes are to be given to those occupiers of allotments who shall have produced the best crops, &c. at the ensuing harvest. Lately, the allotment tenants and others of P. Pusey, Esq. ■were entertained, to the number of between 200 and 300, with an excellent dinner of beef and plum-puddings, with plenty of strong beer, by that gentleman ; the tenants were from the several parishes of Hanney, Denchworth, Charney, Hatford, Standford, and Pusey. A band was provided for their enter- tainment, and, at the conclusion, Mr Pusey addressed them on the importance of the object he had in view in letting them plots ofground, and, expressed his happiness to find that their comforts were increased by these means. PARISH FARM AT MARGATE. Ramsgate, August, 1833. I HAVE frequently, when in the country, urged the establish- ment of parish farms, being convinced that, under good regu- lation, they would prove highly advantageous, not only to the poor when thrown out of work, but also to the rate-payers : — to the latter, as a source of profit; to the poor, as a means of man-like, instead of degrading occupation. I am aware that spade husbandry will not generally answer to the farmer, but, though not much of an agriculturist, yet I suspect that in some soils it would pay to trench and crop, instead of having a fallow. But, where a parish must maintain its paupers under any circumstances, it must answer to find such employment as will return a profit, instead of being a dead loss. But as I have never witnessed the success of the experiment of a parish farm, my arguments have fallen to the ground, particularly as COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 245 I am aware that it has frequently failed; but such failures may be attii!)uted to want of management, to private interests, or to the small quantity of land permitted by the late Act (20 acres). Tiie one now in force, authorizing parishes to rent 50 acres, will in most cases obviate the last cause. I am, however, happy to say, that I have at last discovered one which appears to have comjiletely answered ; and, as I consider it a subject intimately connected with the views of the Labourers' Friend Society, I herewith send you the particulars collected on the spot. In the year 1823, the parish of St John's, Thanet (Margate), heavily burtheiied with poor-rates (the amount collected being 4,94.'3/.) rented 62 acres of land, one mile and a half from the •workhouse, a part of the Neshcourt estate; the land was in a very bad state, and of a medium quality, for which they con- tinue to pay, under lease, 1051. per annum. This farm has been chicHy under spade cultivation, giving work on an average to 100 able-bodied men, from October to June in each year. The wages are nominally from 7s to 14s. per week, under a graduated scale, according to the size of the family. I say nominally, because half the wages are paid in provisions, at prime cost, also cuals, whereby they uclnally receive 40 per cent, more than the above-named wages. This, I think too much, and, even in these liberal times, it would be best, perhaps, to follow the old saying, — " Be just before you are generous." The rate payers should have the profits of the farm, after the poor are fairly paid : this liberality has no doubt been the means of increasing the pauper population. I am no advocate for a parish screwing down the [)rice of labour, but it ought not to pay more than the minimum of wages usually given in the district, otherwise it is a premium for pauperism. The plan, however, of paying in provisions, is an excellent one, as the support must go to the family instead of being spent at the beer-shop. When the land was first taken, in 1823, the rates were 5s. in the pound, on a rating of one-third of the rent. In 1824, after paying ofl' a debt of 1,808/., they were reduced to 4s. A Is. rate produces 1,000/., consequently the reduction during that year was 2,808/., besides the payment of 2,132/. for land, and additional buildings for the workhouse. The number of in-doors poor in 1823, was 100; it is now upwards of 200. This increase may be chiefly attributed to a rage for building small houses in the town, during 1825, 1826, 1827, and 1828, which, though it relieved the parish in those years from the payment of out labour, yet it increased the set- tlements, and consequently pauperism. 24(» COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. Abstract of Farm Account, from Easter 1823, to Easter 1833. Re ECEIPTS. £ i. d. Disbursements. £ s. d. 1823 ., 1823 . . .. 173 12 9 1824 .. 436 14 2 1824 . . . . 243 9 8 1 825 . , 799 8 1825 . . . . 905 8 5 1826 ,. 894 5 3 1826 . . .. 916 4 8 1827 .. 976 9 8 1827 . . . . 862 15 11 1828 .. . 644 16 3 1828 . . . . 593 10 6 1829 .. 934 8 10 1829 . . .. 781 19 8 1830 .. 995 18 1830 . . . . 805 2 11 1831 .. . 773 14 9 1831 . . . . 673 14 10 1832 .. , 757 14 11 1832 . . . . 679 2 3 1833 .. . 952 3 4 1833 . . . . 930 10 6 tock^and Cro ps, £ 724 U Balan ce .. 1284 12 1 8850 4 2 £8850 4 2 This balance of 1,284^. 12s. 1 J,, is not, however, the only profit arising from the farm ; as I have before observed, the paupers themselves share very liberally in it ; nor must we omit the query, " What would have been the increase of poor-rates, with this increase of population, and consequent demoralization, but for the check given by the said farm?" The farm-yard is adjoining the workhouse, where the crops are brought home, and everything is under immediate superin- tendence. Here is a good stock of cows and pigs, the tending of which, together with thrashing, brewing, and a garden, gives occupation to many hands; but the farm does not employ the whole of the out-doors poor; they are also put to grinding corn by hand-mill, scavenging the town, and road making, so that the governor has always work ready for every description of applicant. The in-doors poor, consisting of aged, infirm, and children, are employed in a factory within the house, for coarse clothing, sacking, and shoe-making for the use of the paupers. I have been much gratified with the arrangement of the whole, and the parish is much indebted to the able management of the guardians and governor, and I consider it defective only in two points, viz. the scale system of wages, and the profits of the farm not being carried exclusively to the credit of the parish. H. B. M. COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 247 ON THE COMPARATIVE MERITS OF A LABOUR- RATE, AND THE LAND ALLOTMENT SYSTEM. [Bv A Member.] Every attempt to improve the condition of the labourer, and to secure to him that subsistence which Divine Providence intends him to enjoy, cannot fail to be regarded with deep inter- est by a Society which avowedly professes itself to be his ''friend;" but, in estimating the various means proposed to effect this oliject, it is necessary to examine their merits, and fair to compare them with that simple mode of relief, which it is the design of the Society solely to recommend. In the course of the last session, the Duke of Richmond intro- duced a bill into the House of Lords, intitled " An Act for the better employment of labourers in agricultural parishes," which was intended to effect this truly laudable object, the providing employment at remunerating wages for the unemployed la- bourers. It would be unfair and uncandid to deny that the motives in which this Act originated were benevolent, tliat some of its pro- visions were salutary, and that its effects, separately considered, would in some instances have proved beneficial ; but there were objections to it of the most serious nature. Independent of its partial operation and unequal pressure on conflicting interests, it had this obnoxious character, that to all intents and purposes it was a parochial regulation ; as such, it treated the labouring classes as involuntary agents ; it provided employment, it is true, but at inadequate wages ; and the lattet were to be fixed by a party over whom the labourers had no controul. Every man who would have been employed under this Act, if it had passed, would have been labouring for the parish, and he would have felt the degradation of a parish labourer entailed upon him ; it is true he would not have been engaged directly in the service of the parish, but indirectly he would, as his wages and his labour too were proportioned to the amount of relief to which he would be legally intitled on the one hand, and to the amount of rates which his employer would have to contribute on the other. The number of men to be employed on a given quantity of land, the scanty amount of wages to be allowed, the preference to be shown for married to single men, the sui)erior advantages 248 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. secured to men having large families, the impossibility of a man ever obtaining employment who does not belong to the parish, are all regulations of an artifioial character, and to be regarded as so many forced and unnatural expedients to remedy an existing evil. It would be sufficient to assert, because it can be satisfactorily proved by experiments already made, that in those parishes where the allotment system is adopted, and fairly acted upon, that a labour-rate is unnecessary ; the state of the poor does not require it; the interests of the rate-payer would not be benefited by it; but we cannot submit to rest the question on this issue only, for it is evident that on those very particulars in which a labour-rate is objectionable, the allotment system is free from objection. Of the two expedients now presented to the public, the one is compulsory, partial, unprofitable; it has a tendency to create jealousy amongst neighbours ; it widens the breach that unhap- pily exists between the rich and the poor, makes the former into task-masters, and the latter into paupers: the other is free, independent, profitable ; it brings the rich and poor into happy and improving contact with each other, excites benevolent feel- ings in the former; gratitude and attachment in the latter ; it requires no sacrifice in those who grant, and it l)enefits, elevates, and deli2:hts those who receive the boon. In a country where there exists the ntmost jealousy of the liberty of the subject, it requires little political sagacity to see that those statistical measures are the wisest, in which that feeling is treated with the greatest tenderness ; aud even if it be granted that any new legislative measures are necessary, to secure to our labouring population the means of subsistence, it surely is not too much to expect that the utmost caution shall be used in selecting tliose least repugnant to the ordinary feelings of human nature, and most promising of advantage to those they are intended to benefit. It is now pretty generally admitted that the first step which led to the degradation and poverty of our peasantry, was the inconsiderately depriving them, by Inclosure Acts, of the privi- leges they enjoyed from the commons and waste lands ; — these cannot now be restored, but a substitute may be found ; not in a labour-rate, or any such parliamentary measure, but in the universal adoption of the system the Labourers' Friend Society is endeavouring to establish. I COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 249 FURTHER EFFECTS OF THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM. [By Mr Charles Lawrence.] Cirencester, Nov. 2, 1833. My experience enables me to bear testimony to the value of the system which it is the object of the Society to encourage. I need not refer to the parish of Newnton, near Tctbury, the property of Mr Estcourt, the Member for Oxford, as the details are already, I beheve, on the pag;es of the " Facts and Illustra- tions " of the Association. The next experiment, in order of date, was tried in the parishes of Brimpsfield and Syde, the property of Mr Lawrence, of Wiiitehall place, the particulars and result of which I can more fully and confidently detail, it having been conducted under my own eye. I could not induce other proprietors to co-operate; therefore, in the year 1830, I allotted to every family in these parishes, about forty in num- ber, whether w'orking upon Mr Lawrences's estates or not, gardens varying from 25 to 60 perches, of the best land, and as near as possible to the cottages of the labourers. The tenants from whose farms the land was taken, were allowed an abate- ment of rent, according to a valuation, and the gardens were let at exactly the same rent to the labourers. At that period the labourers were, for the most part, in a very depressed state, and every family in which there were four children, was receiv- ing parish relief. There were great complaints of the conduct of the poor, and one handet in the parish of Brimpsfield was notorious for the disorderly habits of the population. The sum paid for the poor in this parish, in the year ending Michaelmas, J 829, excluding other charges, was 2781. 13s. 9|ff. At the expiration of a year, I went to these parishes for the purpose of seeing the men, and soon had numbers of them around me, expressing their gratitude for their gardens. — They said, " you can't think, sir, how mucli good they have done us, — more by half, than if you was to give us 100/. in money; 'tis a clear 2s. a week to us, which is a deal to a poor man." — Every man has now his pig — they had none before ; and the appearance of the men is creditable and satisfactory. The cler- gyman of the parish informs me, that though the pay of the aged has been raised from 2s. to 2s. 6d. and 3s. per week, the sum paid for the poor for the year ending Michaelmas last year, amounted to 219/. 16s. 2|f/. ; that he anticipates a greater reduction ; and that 7io able-bodied labourer now receives any parish relief, with the exception of one man, icho has ten children, the eldest of whom is under twelve years of age. A very striking illustration of the moral eftcct of the by.steni occurred last week, on holding the court ltd fur the Manor, at which a constable is 250 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. sworn in annually. There had been some difficulty in prevailing on persons to undertake the office heretofore, and the person who acted last year, undertook the office with great reluctance. I was surprised at this person vohinteering to hold the office for the pre- sent year ; and, on iny observin^i; that I hoped he had not found it very onerous, he stated that it had been a perfect sinecure — that he had not seen any oftence committed, nor any disorder; and that he had not had occasion to serve a single summons during the year, in a population amounting to nearly 400, and con- sisting, with a few exceptions, of labourers. I incpiired of several farmers present, if they had any complaints to make of the conduct of any of the men, but they agreed there was no ground to complain. This was extremely satisfactory, because the farmers in this neighbourhood are, almost to a man, decided opponents to the system; and the most generally avowed objec- tion is, that it will render the labourers saucy and independent, and that they shall lose their controul over them. The next experiment was tried by Lord Sherborne, a noble- man pre-eminently distinguished for his attenton to the com- forts and welfare of the poor. His Lordship has allotted amongst the labourers in the parishes of Sherborne, Northleach, Windrush, Aldeworth, and Bibury, no less than 190 acres, which have been divided into between three and four hundred gardens. I cannot speak of the results in this case from per- sonal observation, but I am informed there is a very marked improvement in the conduct of the people, and that they are all anxious to pay their rents, which are the same in amount as were previously paid by the farmer, without giving the collector any trouble. The Rev. Henry Cripps, the Vicar of Preston, near this place, wrote to me as follows: — "I have tried the system for three years in my own parish, allotting to 18 individuals, (in a very small population) portions of land, at a farmer's price, varying from 40 to 60 perches each. The field is immediately adjoining the village ; several of these occupiers have large families, and not one receives parochial aid. I observe a visible improvement in the condition of all who availed themselves of the opportunity of renting land ; and I have the satisfaction of stating, they are grateful, punctual in their payments, and in no one instance have I found that they have trenched upon the time or service of their employers." Two years ago, the Rev. Thomas Buntingfield, of Kempsford, in this neighbourhood, portioned out land upon a very liberal scale, to nearly all the poor families in this parish. He allotted, in most instances an acre to each, as his land is light and easily worked, at_the same rent as the farmers' ; and he reports COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 251 that the comforts and well-being of the labourers liave been greatly increased. I hope Rlr Buntini^field will favour the Society with a more detailed report of his experience on this subject. George Graham Blackwell, Esq., of Ampney park, and the Rev. R. J. WoodrofFe, of Somerford, are fellow-labourers in this cause, and strenuous supporters of the objects of the Society. I confidently hope I shall, ere long, have the satisfaciton of reporting to the Society, that there is not an industrious labourer in this neighbourhood without his garden and his pig. I cannot conclude without anxiously impressing on your readers, the essential importance of superintending, for a time, at least, the operations of the labourers, in their gardens. They are wholly ignorant of the principles of vegetation : and it is difficult to convince them of the importance of the agency of sun and air, to the increase and maturity of their crops. Their loss from planting all their crops too closely together, is incalculable. INDUSTRY REWARDED BY SUCCESS.— COTTAGER'S OWN REPORT. [Communicated by ocr Agent, Mr. G. W. Perry, who took down the REPORT FROM THE SIAN's OWN MOUTH.] *' Ut do virtute sic etiam de industria dictatur, ' est premium suum.' The baud of the diligent maketli rich." Edward Richards, aged 68, the father of six children, the son of a poor man, and the youngest of eleven children, has resided in Cirencester parish 52 years, and during the early part of his life was a common labourer. About thirty-five years ago, he agreed with a farmer to clear out and improve an acre of rough quarry land, on condition of having it three years rent free, and then to give it up to the owner. On this unpromising spot he and his wife expended their surplus labour to such advantage, that during these three years he cleared 40/. He then purchased two acres of then poor land, for which he gave 80Z. These two acres are now, and have long been, in a highly productive state. Soon after he entered on the cultivation of this land, he raised in one year seven quarters of wheat from it; and he has refused 100 guineas for it. He has now been lord of this little manor for 32 years. By the kind offices of a worthy medical gentleman, who had attended him when unwell, he obtained I'roni Earl Bathurst 252 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 75 perches of poor waste unproductive land, subject to be over- flowed with water, at a quit rent of ten shillings per annum. This spot, which the writer of this has seen, he has possessed about thirty years, and has brought it to a state of value and productiveness that must be seen to be rightly appreciated. | For the last ten years, this laborious and industrious man has rented five or six acres of land, besides the two plots already referred to; and during that period has kept two, and some- times three cows, as also several sheep, pigs, &c. : and it may not be uninteresting in these times, to state, that he has been long a rate-payer, but never a rate receiver. In short, by honest industry, sobriety, and good conduct, he is a n)an of substance — an independent Englishman, respectable and re- spected; and the writer, with feehngs of sincere pleasure, remarked that he set a high value on what it was never his good fortune to possess — a sound and useful education. RESULTS OF THE SYSTEM AT SAFFRON WALDEN. [Some misunderstanding having occurred in reference to tlie benefit resulting from the system at Saffron Walden, we insert part of a Letter from Mr Player on the subji-Ct.] Saffron Walden was the first place of any size that adopted the Allotment System, and the result has been most beneficial to the labouring classes. The expenditure for the poor, in the year ending March, 1830, including the sums paid for labour in the roads, was 54871. 8s. 6d. In the following year it was no more than 4087Z. 16s. — a difference of 1400^ This, however, is more by a moiety than it should be, since in the first year 700Z. was paid by the Overseers to the Surveyors, in order to aid their expenditure in employing the poor, and consequently appears in both of their accounts. Notwithstanding the annual increase in the population of the parish, (the average of the last ten years, according to the late census, is 60,) the .expenditure is reversing. The following account shows the payments for labour only during the last three years : Years. £ *• "• 1829—30 1413 6 3 1830— 1 915 16 8 1831—2 826 7 3^ To assert that this is to be attributed solely to the introduction of the Allotment Svstcm, might be exaggeration; but it is fair f COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 253 to presume that the labouring classes are in more comfortable circumstances, or there would have been a greater demand upon the rales. Seven hundred individuals are now interested in about thirty- five acres of parochial allotments in this place, the benefit accruing from wliich land was formerly confined to half a dozen persons and their families. To multiply the means of subsistence, and to promote profitable employment to the labourer, is one of the most laudable pursuits a country gentle- man can indulge in. Lord Braybrooke, the Messrs Gibson, of the Society of Friends, and other benevolent individuals in Walden, have encouraged the plan most nobly ; and the result already is, an improvement in trade, a reduction of rates, and a material amelioration in the conditiou of the poor. PROGRESS OF THE ALLOTMENT SYSTEM AT SAFFRON WALDEN, ESSEX. Lr is known to most of our readers, that the allotment system has been brought into practice at Saffron Walden, Essex, and in the neighbouring parishes of Littlebury and Wenden, mainly through the instrumentality of Lord Braybrooke, assisted by the Messrs Gibsons, Mr Catlin, and several other gentlemen con- nected with the town of Walden; and the success which has attended their efforts, has proved most gratifying. — In a former part of our publication wegave his Lordship's own accountof the origin of the Littlebury allotments, with a statement of the first year's produce of four hundred and fii'ty-six rods of land, to thirteen occupiers ; and afterwards inserted a short account, (see preceding article) showing its effects on the poor's-rates of the parish. — By a further statement it would appear, that the sys- tem has continued to operate most beneficially, and has been attended with " an improvement in trade, a reduction of rates, and a material amelioration in the condition of the poor." There is one peculiar feattire of, or rather auxiliary to, the system, as established at Safiron Walden, to which we would call the particular attention of our readers; and that is, the endeavours of the committee to obtain and extend the adoption of spade culture,* and by this means, to afford an additional * We trust tliat in noticinj? llie expediency of (liis measure, we sball not l)e misunderstood : we approve most cordially of tlie exertions of the Committee relative to spade-cultivation, because it afTords an additional employment for the poor ; still we feel that it is l)ut an auxiliary — the higlier aim evidently should be, to render the labourer independent of the parish rates in everi/ way ; and that this can be done by grantin<^ him a sufficient piece of good pro- ductive land at the farmers' rental, our piges bi.'ar ample proof. 254 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. source of rcniunerarmg employment. — The third, fouFth, and fifth resolutions of the meeting held at Saffron Waklen, in December, 1829, for the purpose of taking into consideration the state of the parish, arising from the great number of labourers then out of employ, were as follow : — " 3d. That a system of spade-husbandry has been introduced into some parishes, and has also been tried in this; and that it appears by allowing the labourer a given rate per rod, according to the quality of the soil, he would be enabled to earn, by per- severing labour, a sum adequate to the support of his family, instead of wasting his energies upon unprofitable work, and of engaging in demoralizing associations with the men of idle habits who are of necessity sent for employment into the public roads. " 4th. That the men to be selected for spade-husbandry ought to be those who are competent to manual labour of this description, who have the best character for industry and good conduct, and who have the largest families to maintain. " 5th. That in order to stimulate the landholders of the parish to ofter ground for this purpose, the proportion to be paid by them to the parochial officers on account of the work actually done, be two- fifths of the outlay per rod." The first report published by the Committee of superintend- ence contained the following statement of the result of the spade husbandry system: — '' It is proper to observe, with reference to the first point in the Resolutions, that sixteen landholders availed themselves of the proposition ; that fifty- two acres were dug by the parochial labourers at apportioned rates, varying from two-pence to four- pence per rod ; that the landholder was in no instance charged less than sixteen shillings per acre ; while in some cases, when the rate exceeded three-pence per rod, he was charged two- fifths of the actual outlay ; and that the parish had a return of AIL 16s. in abatement of the parochial rates, while the indus- trious poor man obtained for actual and profitable labour a rate of remuneration commensurate to the exertion already made, and considerably beyond that usually rendered to the public roads, where work cannot be fairly apportioned, even when under the controul of a surveyor. The produce of several fields so dug, has been very satisfactory to the proprietors ; one of whom, Mr Samuel Fiske, is at this time repeating the experi- ment, and has ascertained, from the soil having become more pulverised, that the labour is adequately remunerated by the payment of twopence per rod, where last winter threepence was deemed barely sufficient." COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 255 The second report of the year ending 1831, is equally, if not more gratifying even than the first : the very first observa- tion it contains is singularly indicative of the success which has resulted from the adoption of the system ; it says — " The num- ber of men employed on tlie roads not being so great as in the preceding winter, the necessity then apparent, of resorting to spade-husbandry was less urgent, but upwards of seventeen acres were dug upon the terms before detailed, which enabled the overseers to afford remunerating wages to some of the most efficient labourers, during a period of eleven weeks. It is also hoped that the present winter will not pass away without the same plan being once more encouraged ; as no doubt can exist of its utihty, in aid of the other measures in progress for the amelioration of the condition of the poor." Proceeding then with the further operations of the Committee, it states— " The zealous co-operation of some of the principal land- owners in the parish, and the members of the Corporation, in letting plots of ground to the cottagers, without the intervention of the parochial authorities, though, at tlie same time, under the controul of the Committee, has afforded facilities for extend- ing the system beyond the limits then fixed by the Legislature. The Committee, in consequence, have been enabled to appor- tion one hundred and fifty-nine parcels of land to one hundred and forty- four individuals ; allowing to fifteen of their original te- nants, who had applied for more ground, allotments in the fields recently acquired, in addition to those which they had previously occupied. The quantity of land now appropriated to the poor, within the parish, is shown in the following state- ment : — [ Lord Braybrooko Park Wall Field Iloliner Cross 2 Fields Copt Hall Field l\Ir N. Catlin Railcy Field 1 Warncr'8 Field > Messrs Gibsons Limekiln I'ield j Nicliolls' Field The Corporation Turner's 2 Fields Mr W. G. Gibson 1:321 or 8 1 1 357 — 2 37 206 _ 1 2 26 842 — 2 22 09;) — 4 1 13 720 — 4 2 750 — 4 2 30 960 — Total 5409 a3 3 9 " Thus the hope entertained by the Committee last Autinnn, that the arrangements then in progress would accommodate with land double the number of aj)phcauts at first provided for, has been more than realised. To further this object, Mr Wyatt George Gibson most obligingly hired two fields belonging to 250 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. the trustees of Turner's Charity, ami, sacrificing a portion of the rent liimself, placed the land at the disposal of the Com- mittee. The Corporation also gave up a field held by them as trustees of Erswell's Charity, which their tenant, Mr Nicholls, readily reUnquished when the motive was explained to him. As the expediency of appropriating charity lands to the above- mentioned purposes has never been advocated, no apology is necessary for strongly urging the general adoption of such a plan. Nor can a better mode be devised for securing to the allotment holders undisturbed possession of their occupations; or guarding them so effectually against the liability of eject- ment, to which they must otherwise be subjected by the fre- quent alienations of landed esiates, and the caprice or ill-hu- mour of individual proprietors. May it not also be hoped that the trustees of such property will feel some gratification in being thus enabled to conier an additional advantage upon the poor, and going beyond the benevolent intentions of the original donor, without hazarding, or impairing the funds committed to their charge ? The rents, which, (with one exception, since re- covered,) were punctually paid at Michaelmas to the parish officers, amounted to 131/. 2s., leaving in their hands a balance of 22Z. 6s. 3d., in deduction of rates, waste by roadways, and other trifling contingencies. One occupier forfeited his allot- ment for an offence against the game laws; but he has expressed his contrition, and earnestly applied to be forgiven, and it is intended to reinstate him. As, however, the lands were ap- portioned indiscriminately to the applicants, without reference to previous character, the Committee have every reason to feel satisfied with the good conduct of their numerous tenants. In proof of the orderly and peaceable demeanour of the inhabit- ants, it may be mentioned, that up to Midsummer last (includ- ing, of course, the last eventful winter), _^i'e sessions had been held in the town consecutively, without a single prisoner being brought to trial. Nor has anything since occurred to dispa- rage in the slightest degree this pleasing testimony. At the iannual meeting of the Horticultural Society in September, prizes were awarded to many of the occupiers, for ihe best cultivated plots of ground, care being taken to select one allotment, at the least, in each field ; and the encouragement thus afibrtled to skill and industry promises to produce still greater competition in succeeding seasons. The Committee infer from the most recent returns, that upwards of seven hundred persons are interested in the present allotments, averaging more than four to each holding : that the plan continues to be popular may be assumed from the feelings of gratitude frequently expressed by the occupants, and the demands for land which are not yet satisfied. The season having been productive, and especially favourable to the potatoc crop, the supposed rate of profit given COTTAGE HUSBANDUT. 207 in ilie former Report may be again fairly quoted, wliicli will niake the sum acquired by the allotniont holders this year amount to 330/. Nor should it be omitted that, as many of the poor are provided with a good stock of potatoes, they will be spared the inconvenience of buying them in small quantities at an incnased price as the winter advances, their only alterrja- tive, before the plots of ground were appropriated. The Com- mittee feel it their duty to advert to the inqjortant circumstance of a very material decrease in the poor's-rate having occurred ; and although many causes must have conspired to produce this desirable result, it is clear that the allotment system has, in some degree, occasioned a diminution of the claims for paro- chial relief. Much benefit has also accrued from the establish- ment, last winter, of a Clotiiing Bank, consisting already of two hundred and eighty-five depositors. " The Committee, in conclusion, cannot refrain from expressing their acknowledgments for the steady and uniform co-operation which they have received from the parishioners at large, in fur- therance of the objects entrusted to their management; and they feel confident that so long as the parochial concerns are administered with tlie same unanimity and good will which have prevailed happily for several years, the good effects of the allotment sy.-tjm will continue to be felt, and other mea- sures be adopted not less well calculated to benefit the labour- ing class." The statement of Lord Braybrooke, as to the origin of the Littlebury allotments, has already been given in substance; his lordship's further remarks will, however, be read with in- terest : — " In the autumn of 1830, many fresh applications for allot- ments, as well as for the enlargement of tlie original holdings, were made to me, and I immediately took measures to accom- modate every candidate, due regard being paid to setting out the land as contiguous as possible to the cottages in those hamlets which are at a distance from the village of Littlebury ; and in this arrangement several non-parishioners were included. The result has proved as highly satisfactory in all its bearings, as at the expiration of the first season. I also apportioned plots of ground in October 1830, to thirteen poor men in tlie little parish of Wenden with equal success; and I inler that the plan is becoming more popular, from several cottagers having re- cently applied for land, who had in the first instance declined it. To recapitulate any further the detads, would be super- fluous; but after watching the system with great attention during the two last years in the three ])arishes, in which there are now two hundred and fil'ty-five allotments, and witnessing 258 COTTAGS HUSBANDRY. its operation under circumsttincrs widely diHercnt, the popula- tion varying as nnirh as the callinfrs of tlic inhabitants and the nature of the soil, I may venture to predict, that the plan, if managed with common discretion, can nowhere fail of pro- ducing great and lasting benefit to the parties interested. There arc two other points not hitherto touched upon, worthy of attention : first, the expediency of selecting land of good quality and as dry as possible ; secondly, that in no case should the labourer be the sub-tenant of the farmer, but let him hold at once under the landowner; and ttiis regulation I should like to see extended to every cottage in agricultural districts. " Whoever neglects these precautions is not giving the expe- riment a fair trial, and does not deserve success. Many in- quiries have been made as to the extent in size to which the allotments should be carried ; in reply to which I must say, that the smallest holdings have invariably appeared to me to be the best cultivated, and this was the unanimous opinion of the judges appointed to award the prizes at Walden last summer. The occupiers of half acres at Waterbeach, with whom I con- versed, all expressed a wish to have their holdings doubled, assuring me that after seven years' experience they should be competent to manage tvi'ice as much land, witli advantage, in their Iciusre hours. Nor is it improbable that, under favourable circtm^stances, an industrious labourer might, with the aid of a large family, successfully cultivate a whole acre. Still I am inclined to consider this rather as the exception than the rule, glad as I should feel to see the views entertained by Denson realised; and he asserts, ' that effectually to benefit a labourer, so that he may have an useftd resource when out of employ, be enabled to pay his way, and have the comforts of life within his reach, he ought in no case to be occupier of less than one acre.^ At all events it must be the safest course in the first instance to commence witli small portions of land; they can easily be extended; but if any one attempts too much in the outset, he will risk a failure, and perhaps afford a triumph to the opponents of the system ; added to which, one unsuccessful trial will be quoted upon all occasions, and go far to discourage a whole district. " Since these observations were first printed, the allotment system appears gradually to be coming into operation in every part of the country; and I cannot but regret that its adoption on anything like an extended scale, in this part of Essex, has been hitherto confined to the parishes already mentioned, though the success of the plan is generally admitted. If, then, the farmers continue so indiflferent to their own interests, so averse to innovation, and so tremblingly alive to the deduction of a few COTTAGE HUSDANDRY. 259 acres from their holdings, let every proprietor, in renewing leases or agreements with his tenants, insist upon the reserva- tion of sufBcient land to accommodate a due proportion of the poor in each parish. When the obstacles are thus surmounted, we shall hear no more of the danger of rendering tlie labourer independent; and those who have heretofore, from long-estab- lished prejudices, opposed the allotment system, will be found amongst its warmest advocates, and not ashamed of their own conversion. Then indeed may we hope that a better feeling will arise in the agricultural districts, and discover that to effect •his desirable object, we must commence by improving the com- forts of the poor man, and endeavouring to raise him in the scale of society. " Braybuooke." SOUTH SOMERSET AUXILIARY SOCIETY. The patrons of the Labourers' Friend Society will be gratified in observing that their example and recommendations have been the means of creating emulation in the cause of beneficence and kind feeling towards the labouring part of the population in numerous parts of the kingdom. We have much pleasure ia acknowledging a communication from the Rev. Wra. B. White- head, Vicar of Chard, Honorary Socretary to the South Somerset Labourer's Friend and Cottage Horticultural Society, accompanied with the names of twenty-eight clergymen who have associated for the purpose of carrying our views into ex- tensive operation, by calling a general meeting of the land- owners, farmers, and others, interested in the welfare and happi- ness of the labouring poor. There can be no doubt that success will be the result of their endeavours, supported, as they will be, by characters eminent for their zeal to do good, for their wisdom and influence, the proof of which is quite evident, in the progress they have already made, and which is described in the circular letter calling the meeting above alluded to, and of which the following is an extract: — The generally-lamented condition of the agricultural pea- santry of the kingdom has, for a long time, engaged the serious and anxious attention of the Christian philanthropist. In that condition, marked, almost everywhere, by extreme poverty and degrading parochial dependence, the seeds of demoralization, discontent, and crime, have found a congenial and ])rolific soil, and are now progressively advancing to a ruinous maturity, against which the best interests of humanity and of society demand an effectual protection. On this subject the feelings of 260 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. the Christian and the patriot are one and the same. They are prompting; on all sides an ardent wish to see the labouring poor relieved from that state of social and domestic privation, which is thus individually and publicly destructive ; in which the blessings of religion can seldom find a cheerful and healing reception; and under the pressure of which, neither the love of country and its institutions, nor the grateful respect and well- founded attachments due to the legitimate subordinations of society, can flourish, or even exist. The comparatively unsatisfactory results also, which have fol- lowed all the extensive efforts made, of late years, to diffuse the blessings of moral and religious education among the labouring classes of English society, and the apparently feeble ameliora- tions produced by that increased activity of charity in all her varied forms, which has prevailed during the same period, have given deep concern to all the true friends of the benevolent insti- tutions of their country, and have convinced them, that there is some inveterate disorder impeding the great machine of society in its first springs and most important movements. The anxious inquiries which these mortifying disappointments have given rise to, have led to the conclusion, that the same unnatural and excessive poverty is the main source of this disorder, so injurious to the highest exertions of Christian ])eneficence, and have yielded, moreover, convincing proofs of the difficulty with which the social virtues ever maintain them- selves, and moral and religious culture can be made to prosper, under the blighting influence of a state of cheerless worldly destitution. It is no part of the object of the present brief address, to endeavour to explain the causes of this deterioration of the domestic comforts, character, and condition of the labouring poor, although to do so might perhaps be a task by no means of difficult accomplishment. I'he simple statement of the fact, and of their opinion of the evils resulting from it, will be sufficient to explain the reasons which have led the promoters of this plan to concur with the many able, influential, and benevolent minds now anxiously directed to its consideration, and to think that the praiseworthy eflTorts already made to remove it, should be seconded by the friends of religion, humanity, and public happi- ness, in every district of the kingdom. The most considerable of those efforts has been the recent establishment, in the Metropolis, under the highest patronage, both as to rank and talent, of an Association called the " La- bourers' Friend Society," whose object it is to circulate infor- mation, as extensively as possible throughout the country, COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 261 relative to the " great and signal advantages attending the practice of letting small portions of land to labourers, for the occupation of their leisure hours," and, generally, to encourage and promote the industrious habits of cottage husbandry, and domestic comforts among the labouring poor. The appoint- ment of auxiliary Societies in different parts of tlie kingdom is, at the same time, suggested by the Association, for the purpose of bringing its Vienevolent plans into general operation; and it is with a view of meeting this suggestion, that the establishment of such a Society is now proposed in the southern part of the county of Somerset. Such is the general outline of the plan which several indivi- duals take the liberty of submitting to tiie consideration of their neighbourhood. In promotion, however, of the one great object of the Metropolitan Association, viz. the improvement of the condition of the labouring classes of the community, it is pro- posed that this District Society shall embrace additional arrangements, holding out direct and laudable encouragement, both to industrious and virtuous habits among the agricultural peasantry, and to such an improved remuneration of their labours, as shall at once foster those habits, and be beneficial as well as honourable to their employers themselves. What these arrangements shall be will of course depend on the means of the Socictv. and the opinions of its friends, which it is proposed to collect at a general meeting to be held atone of the principal towns of the district, as soon as sufficient time has been given for the consideration of the design now previously laid before the public. The projectors venture to hope, that they shall not be con- sidered to have inappropriately or obtrusively offered themselves as proposers of a great scheme of public beneficence. While their habits and duties necessarily lead them to an intimate acquaintance with the wants and condition of the labouring poor, they may be supposed to have their feelings on these sub- jects, at least in some degree, regulated by the known will and directions of the Master whom they serve. But " The Pooii Ye have always with You," they feel, was a declaration intended to act as a sacred word of remembrance, on allfailJi- ful Christians at all times; and therefore they believe, that, while they are only doing their own duty by the advocacy of the measures now brought forward to public notice, those measures will be hailed with approbation, and supported with zeal, by the whole of the affluent and extensive neighbourhood, for the benefit of which they are intended. The present times are times of change, and, under the Pro- vidence of God, they hope of change for the better. But, in 202 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. order to make them so, they feel convinced, that the improve- ment of the character and condition of the great body of the people must be primarily consulted, and that, not only the moral and religious instruction of the poor must be carefully attended to, but that tliey must be placed in the enjoyment of those common domestic and social comforts to which honest and diligent labour is always intiiled ; and must be fixed firmly in their natural position as an important and respected link of that great social chain, which should bind all classes of a Christian and civilized community in mutual dependence, kindness, and harmony together. The objects of the Labourers' Friend Societies are — 1st. To increase the social and domestic comforts of the labouring poor. 2nd. To promote the improvement of their moral and religious character. 3rd. To endeavour to make them generally independent of Parochial relief, and thereby to reduce the amount of poor's- rates in parishes. The Societies propose to attain these objects — By letting small allotments of land to labourers, proportioned in quantity to the size of their families, at fair rents ; By endeavouring to improve the comforts and acommodation of cottages; And, generally, by encouraging the system of Spade and Garden Husbandry. In every place in which it has been adopted, the objects of the Societies, as stated above, have been greatly promoted. During the late disturbances among the peasantry in Wiltshire, for in- stance, no labourer from the parishes where these plans had been adopted, joined in them. Farmers generally admit in all such parishes, that their work was never better done by their labourers, who were never more able, willing, and sober; their property, also, they say, was never so free from pilfering or plunder as at present; and, especially, from the parishes of Long Newnton and Kingston St Michael, it is reported, that " no warrant for stealing or poaching has been issued against any poor person there, since the adoption of the plan of the Labourers' Friend Societies." The same report is made from other parishes. For many, it is said, that pauperism has almost intirely disappeared. The poor- rates, indeed, in all parishes, where the land-allotment system is in operation, have been reduced greatly, and in many of them COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 2G3 to an extraordinary extent. The rents, also, of these small allotments are invarial)lv found to be more rc;^ularly paid than any other rents in parislics ; and, generally, where their benetits are enjoyed, a spirit of gratitude, religion and order, industry and honesty, are found to prevail among the labouring poor. ILMINSTER AUXILIARY LABOURERS' FRIEND SOCIETY.— PUBLIC MEETING. A PUBLIC MEETING of the friends and supporters of the above institution, the objects of which are to improve the comforts and to promote the well-being of the labouring poor, by giving them the advantage of occupying small portions of land, at moderate rents, took place at the George Inn, Ilminster, on Tuesday, October the 9Ui, 1832. The division of Ilminster is to com- prise the towns and neighbourhoods of Chard, Crewkern, Ilminster, and South Petherton. The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells in the Ciiair. The bnsiness of the meeting having been explained by Right Rev. Prelate — Tiic Rev. W. B. Whitehead, in proposing the second resolution, said, "I can with perfect sincerity state that, although the occasions v/hich I have been calleil on, out of my immediate professional duties, to address large public assemblies, have been comparatively few, yet it is with a mixed feeling of pride and pleasure, not unaccompanied, however, by a deep sense of responsibility, that I now rise to address a few words to the lar existed between the labourers and those who live by tlieir la- l)our? I need not say that 1 ?m no leveller — that I am no wild advocate of fruitless theories — I am no designing fomenter of social discord — no honied preacher of discontent to the poor man — not one of those who would dissociate patronage and comfort from virtue and industry; but this I am proud to say, that I am a friend to fair and equal justice between man and man — a friend of every measure which will remove injustice from society, and especially from its humblest and most help- less members, and a friend to the plain exposure of every truth which can assist in that removal. I know, that it may be said, and said with truth, that the inadequate wages I have spoken of are generally assisted by parochial aid. This, indeed, I know, and, from the opportunities which one capacity I unworthily fill gives me, J know it much too well. I know too well the fraudu- lent principle, and the dcprnving eftects of this mode of paying industrious labour. I know that immense numbers of poor men, whose late and early toils intitle them to the cheering sight at home of families roughly but plentifully fed and clothed, without dependence on any man, are compelled by this unna- tural system ' To endure The nigf^ed frowns and violent rebuffs Ot men in office,' or to see their children pine around them in absolute want, or to cry to them for that bread which they cannot give. And what is this aid which the poor man obtains from the parish officer to supply the deficiencies of his earnings, and how is it too often given ? View, Gentlemen, the petitioners and haggard objects which crowd so frequently the courts of petty sessions, and the rooms of our parish workhouses. Will you see there any symptoms of parochial relief sustaining the labouring poor man and his wife and children in health, and manliness^ and vigour? Will you there see the immense fund of the poor-rates at all effectual for its purpose? The magistrate laments that he can do so little of what he wishes. Absolute want, he de- clares, vxust be supplied, and he so orders it; but how wide, alas! is the breath of suffering, of destitution, and of discom- fort, between this necessary limit of parochial relief, and the competence which the honest labourer and his family ought to ■ enjoy! But I do not stand here to aggravate painful feelings, and much less to cast the blame of a miserable system anywhere by a severe contemplation of the past. I believe the eyes of the community, and of most of its influential members, are opened to the injustice of paying honest labour in this way. T he question now commonly asked is this. How can we best assist in placing the agricultural labourer in that condition of common worldly cumfortj in which every enlightened man and 266 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, Christian patriot must anxiously wish to see him? The La- bourers' Friend Society, under whose auspices we are now assembled, has endeavoured to answer the question. It is the object of that Society to promote the letting of such small portions of land, at moderate rents, to the labouring poor, as they may be able to cultivate at their leisure hours, and the produce of which gives them great accession of domestic con- veniences and comfort. Under the circumstances, indeed, in which the landed interest is now unfortunately placed, this ap- pears to be the only mode, at once effectual and unobjectionable, of meeting the evils which I have been describing. Let us grant that there is a difficulty, almost insurmountable, as we are told, in the way of raising agricultural wages, and concede that these wages must remain at present what they are, eked out to a bare living maintenance by scanty parochial aid, then we conceive that we find an efficient substitute for that rise of them which we cannot obtain, in the land allotment system which is now before us. And I know that it has been proved by ex- perience, and I feel assured that it will be proved again, gene- rally, that the occupation by an industrious poor man, of half an acre of land, at 14s. or 20s. a-year rent, to be cultivated by the fertilizing process of spade husbandry, is equal, in benefit, to an addition of 2s. 6cl. or 3s. a week in shape of wages from his employer ; while it is afforded without the least loss of rent to the landlord, or of labour to the farmer, the rent being the same as that paid by the farmer, and the land tenanted by the labourer being of quantity sufficient only to occupy himself and his family during those portions of leisure time which always occur in the common course of every agricultural year. But while this land allotment system acts, in this manner, as an ad- mirable and effectual substitute for a direct rise of wages to the labourer, it acts also on his own condition, on the interests of his employer, and of parishes generally, to a beneficial ex- tent inconceivable to those who have never heard of, or pro- perly considered its eft'ects. On the moral condition of the la- bourer it has been found to operate, when rightly applied, almost as a charm. What, let me ask, is the too common resort now of the poor man, after the necessary labour of the day is ended ? We all know too well — ' The sties That law has licensed.' There, under a wretched desertion of all his domestic duties, he drinks away a large share of the already too scanty provisions of his family — there his body gets enervated, and his heart cor- rupted — there he becomes familiar with the worst association of vice — and his duties both to God and man, tJicrc, consequently, too often find their grave. But give him an interest in employ- COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 2G7 ment at his home — make the occupation of his leisure hours a delight and a profit to him — bind liim to a portion of the soil he tills, by enabling him to call it, in some degree, his own — and he will be seen soon to exchange the life-destroying cup for^the health-preserving spade, and devoting himself, and leading his children onwards to habits of industry and order, his worldly condition becomes bettered, and with that his mind and morals become improved. He has now some stake of importance to him in the peace and prosperity of his country ; he feels him- self respected, as he ought to be, and recognised as of value in his station, by his superiors around him, and the " voice of joy and health" resounds in and animates his humble dwelling. The courts of God's house are again his weekly delight, and Old England once more smiles on her industrious sons. Am I saying too much in saying all this? I know that I am not — ■ Reason teaches, but experience proves." The Rev. Speaker here recited the details of many extraordinary cases of moral im- provement among the labouring classes, resulting from the land-allotment system in various parishes where it had been adopted, and then proceeded as follows : — " Now, my Lord, after considering all these facts, proving, as they do, the neces- sary connexion between vice and extreme poverty, let us hear no more of the mysterious causes of that lamented increase of crime in our agricultural districts which we all so much deplore; let us hear less of prison discipline, and more of bettering that deplorable condition which leads to its necessity. But if, under the land-allotment system, the moral condition of the labourer is thus improved, it of course follows, that his landlord, his employer, and the entire community, partake in the blessing. It is, indeed, a blessing strictly reciprocal in its operation. Your poor neighbours cannot be honest, industrious, and sober, ■without your own comfort and interest being thereby propor- tionably promoted. This point is too self-evident to be dwelt on, although the thoughtlessness of so many has blinded them to its perception, as well as to that of the necessary dependent connexion of all ranks of society with each other." The Rev. Gentleman here referred to the details of many extraordinary cases of reduction of rates in various parishes where the sys- tem prevails, and then proceeded : — " After the many proofs which I have now endeavoured to adduce of the advantages of the system, the notice of objections against it will appear su- perfluous; and, indeed, those which have been raised, are ge- nerally the objections of jirejudice. If the objector, for instance, tells us that, by our system, we shall deprive the farmer of a necessary portion of his labourer's time or work, we answer, that, wherever that system has been adopted, and the allot- ments of land have been Ihnilcd as we recommend, farmers have invariably found and acknowledged their woik better 2G8 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY, done, and their workmen more honest and more contented. If we are told, that many labourers have been found to set little or no value on their allotments of land, we reply, that in every grade and class of society some unworthy individual will be found, on whom every advantage offered will be thrown away, and that these inevitable exceptions are, of course, the most futile of all objections. If we are told that the poor man cannot find manure for half an acre of land sufficient to maintain it in effec- tive cultivation, experience again enables us to answer, without hesitation, that he can — and that, by the aid of his pig, with the least management, he can do so with ease. If we are told, again, that the extensive adoption of the system may encourage the increase of labourers in parishes beyond the supply of labour, we answer, that this is as impossible, at least, as it is now, because, with our small allotments of land, no man can subsist inde- pendent of the same daily labour which now occupies him, and farmers will then require no more labour, or encourage more of necessity then than they do now. If we are told that the poor tenant will never pay the rent of his small allotment, we have the most conclusive testimony, from numerous parts of the country, to prove that rents of this kind are always those which are most punctually paid. If, lastly, we are told, that the la- bourer will be too much raised in his worldly condition for the interest of his employer, we reply, with a considerable feeling of indignation, that this also is impossible. He may be no longer the abject and the starving, but the evil-minded, sycophant — he may no longer be the shivering mendicant at the pauper- door — he may not, so often as heretofore, be the timid victim of a capricious servitude; but he will be then respectful and grateful, where he is now too 'often sullen and discontented : he will then be honest and diligent, where he is now too often given to pilfering and reckless idleness; he will then be attached, where he is now alienated — a protector, where he is now an enemy : in short, where he is now often a sore and a burthen in society, ho will be valuable both as a labourer and as a man. It is with a view of bringing this system, the blessings of which I have endeavoured to explain, into operation in this neighbour- hood, that the resolution which I am about to propose, for the establishment of a District Labourers' Friend Society has been framed. 1 have little doubt of its obtaining around us the zealous support of the wise, the upright, and the benevolent; and I feel assured, also, that any little (I must call them nar- row) misgivings which may yet linger in the minds of a few of our valuable neighbours (who should have been here to-day, taking their natural station in the front ranks of local benevo- lence), will speedily fly before the advancing light of Christian example and sound social amelioration. The dawn of a brighter and a happier day is gradually, but surely, opening upon us, COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. 209 when a feeling of common brotherhood shall destroy all the harshness, while it maintains and strengthens all the utilities and right subordination of necessary inequalities — when no man of rank shall again feel happy while the honest and well-con- ducted peasantry, who live on his property, are wretched in their condition — when the famous wish shall be realised, ' That all mankind mi-jht that just mean observe, In which none e'er could surfeit, none could starve.' For myself, I may be permitted to say, that, if the Society which we are now endeavouring to form should take root firmly, and spread blessings extensively around us in this neigh- bourhood, I shall look back on the little share which I may have had in its establishment as marking the happiest period of my life. In saying this to your lordship, I am speaking to one who can well appreciate such feelings, for no man has ever ex- perienced the noblest of its satisfactions more than yourself. At the same time I am delighted to see so many of the truly enlightened and benevolent of my clerical brethren assisting zealously in this great cause. On the present occasion, my lord, the Church of England — the noble object of so mucli miserable and demoralising hostility — appears in her own pro- per character, as the guide and consoler here of those whom she leads to happiness hereafter. It is impossible, also, not to feel pleasure at seeing, in such an assembly as this, the com- mon ground of union to good men of all parties, the cause of real civilization taken up extensively on sound and disinterested principle. In these times, especially, such a sight is a relief to the harrassed spirits of the wise and good, amidst the unholy and frequent collisions of political passions; it is like that of a pure ray from Heaven, piercing and shining down the pestilen- tial glare of fiendish earthly fires. May the spirit which prompts our proceedings, this day, spread widely over the sur- face of our troubled, but yet admirable country ! It is the spirit of peace, of charity, and of love. Under the Almighty blessing, it is our best ark of safety, our surest source of all honourable prosperity, our best guide to public happiness! The great Society under whose auspices we are this day as- sembled, contains the noblest, the purest, the most enlightened of the philanthropists of Enghind, — is the first organised applica- tion of this principle to the cause of our domestic social im- provement. That it will march through the land in triumph and in mercy, I have little doubt. I fancy I see the evil spirits of darkness even now beginning to retire before the face of re- turning day — I fancy I see the ghosts of venerable follies and respected prejudices departing slowly from the scenes which they have too long kept stationary. In the cottage of the poor man, it ie our wish that this glorious light should first appear; 270 COTTAGE HUSBANDRY. and then, I feel assured, it v/ill ascend through all the interven- ing conditions of society, carrying peace and healing on his wings, even to the palace of the monarch, uniting and cementing the two extremes of the social edifice together in enduring dependence, compactness, and harmony." The Rev. F. R. Spragg, the Rev. G. Dymock, the Rev. — Whitfield, the Rev. — Mules, and MrG. W. Perry, afterwards addressed the Meeting, at which the various resolutious for establishing the Auxiliary Society were carried. I ADVANTAGES OF SPADE HUSBANDRY. A i\iosT satisfactory account of the beneficial effects of spade employment was received by the Society for Encouragement of Industry and Reduction of Poor's Rates, from Mr Twyman, of Whitchurch, Hants, stating that on estates which he occupied, seven miles distant, whenever men were out of work, he em- ployed them in digging arable land, paying them 3(/. per rod : that all the cottagers had gardens, which were well cultivated : they had no common, but the men were allowed to cultivate waste pieces of land tor potatoes, for their own benefit : that the poor-rates were kept down to 3s. 6d. and 4s. in the pound, although two incessantly wet seasons had obstructed labour, and increased rates : that his labourers were all honest, civil, indus- trious, sober, decent in dress and behaviour, attended church regularly, and were ahvays contented ; and that they en- deavoured to maintain, and did actually maintain large families with but trifling parish aid. Mr Twyman was also of opinion that land for a winter or summer fallow, having been once ploughed, it would be more easy and expeditious for the la- l)Ourer to dig across the furrow, for which 2d. per rod would be a fair remuneration. This would be more beneficial to the farmer than the second ploughing, by cleaning, and rendering the land more productive, so that he would be no loser bt/ the extra expence. The experiments on the superior productiveness of spade tillage, which have, in repeated years, been made by Mr Falla, nurseryman, near Newcastle, fully prove that the extraordinary increase of produce as compared with ])lough tillage, is sufli- cient to recommend this plan of employing men, as being pro- fitable to the agriculturist. "Wheat, sown broad-cast, after spade-culture, produced more than fifty-eight bushels per acre ; while similar land, ploughed, produced the same season but thirty-eight bushels. Thirty-three shillings per acre were paid for digging the land. Potatoes produced eight hundred bushels per acre, being double the quantity produced after the plough, the same season, upon similiar adjoining land ; and some ex- periments in drilling wiicat, produced sixty-one, sixty-two, and 272 ADVANTAGES OF SPADE HUSBANDRY. sixty- three bushels per acre; other experiments, seventy-three and a half bushels per acre, and sown broadcast, even seventy- six and a quarter bushels per acre. Mr Falla considers that by tlie spade, a depth of well-worked earth of nine or ten inches is produced, more than twice the depth of that by the plougli; also, a loose broken bottom par- ticularly favourable to vegetation. SPADE CULTIVATION COMPARED TO THE PLOUGH. [From Mr John Denson.] Waterbeach. Having seen the question proposed. Why is spade cultivation preferable to that of the plough ? and considering it a subject of great importance, I beg leave to transcribe the reply : — By the tread of horses and the iron share of the plough, a hard bottom is formed, which holds water, and the seed covered thereby rots. The hard track made by the bottom of the plough-share impedes the growth of the seed, which cannot strike freely into the earlh; and it is the law of nature, that if the root cannot spread, the vegetable power cannot rise in any good proportion. When the spade is used, the ground is opened, and the overplus water sinks beneath the roots, which retain sufficient moisture for the purpose of vegetation, and the roots can expand in all directions, and thus grow to per- fection. In addition to these observations, give me leave to add the foliowing: Where manure is made use of, it is completely covered by spade culture. Where the plough is used, a con- siderable portion remains on the surface, the nutritive particles of which evaporate, and thereby in a great measure it becomes useless. In spade culture, every part is regularly turned over, thereby completely burying and destroying annual and biennial weeds, which cannot be so effectually done by the plough. Where land abounds with couch, it can be better eradi- cated by spade culture than by that of the plough : particularly if planted with potatoes. But what more particularly gives to spade culture the advantage, in the present state of the country, is (supposing only one-third of the land to be cultivated by the spade), that one-third of what is now cultivated by the plough, would not only employ the whole of that portion of society, who generally get their livelihood by agriculture, but all the hands that could be procured. ADVANTAGES OF SPADE CULTIVATION. 273 I must admit, that when land is digged and deepened by the spade, a sub-soil is thrown on the surface, which is not favour- able to the growth of wheat, because it is the nature of wheat, in the month of May, to throw out fresh roots on the surface of the land, preparatory to its producing side-roots; but let not this dishearten the advocate of spade culture, for I have found, /root experience, that when the sub-soil becomes incorpo- rated with the other earth, and has received the benefits re- sulting from its exposure to the sun and air, that the produce will be greater than when the land is cultivated by the plough. I have no more to say at present in favour of spade cultiva- tion, but that if, in addition to (what I consider) the above advantages, the labourer had an acre of land attached to his cottage, to employ him and his family at their leisure hours, it would doubly contribute to the happiness of himself and his family. SPADE HUSBANDRY. [From Mr Henry Wilson.] The Upper Ward of Lanarkshire (writes our friend Mr Henry Wilson), contains a great proportion of the manufacturing popu- lation of Scotland. At the commencement of a period of great distress some years since in that county, it was suggested to give a premium of 2/. per annum on a certain quantity of land in this district, to be dug with the spade for the express purpose of sowing flax. This would have been productive of great good had Govern- ment sanctioned the measure, and a small sum sc expenued would have diffused a great proportion of happiness amongst those who were really industriously inclined. The measure, however, had a partial operation ; for the gentlemen of Both- well parish, on Clyde side, impressed with similar ideas of the propriety of such a plan, did actually undertake to pay the farmers the difterence between the spade and the plough for any number of acres they chose to dig, which was found to be from twenty to twenty-five shillings per acre. How, I will ask the enemies to the use of the spade, could money be applied in a better way than this at a moment of such general distress? It has been proved that the extra produce has, in many instances, paid more than this excess on the rate of labour ; and if the land be fairly cropped it will not forget such a digging for many years. T TESTIMONIALS. From Lord Ken yon. — I cannot have a moment's hesitation in expressing my approbation of the Labourers' Friend Society, as it is in exact conformity with my views and practice, since I became a landlord, near 29 years ago. — My cottages have always been kept at moderate rents, 50s,, and my land annexed, to them, never more than 30s. an acre. My wish has been to induce my labourers to keep a cow and a pig, and occasionally rear a heifer ; except where the land has been very poor (in which case I have let it at a much lower rate), I have thought two acres of good land sufficient for the intended purpose. The best proof of the success of my plan has been that, except in the case of two old soldiers, whom I improvidently took, I have always received viy rents regularly, and that I have very iTiany applicants, should any vacancy occur. My object has been first to take care that the farmers should find ready and honest labourers in my cottagers, and next that the cottagers should take pains to make their land as profitable as possible ; for which purpose they are assured, as was the practice of my honoured father, that they will not be raised or removed. I am very anxious to be able to circulate among them hints as to the most profitable mode of managing their land, whether for pota- toes, turnips, greens, corn, or for their cow and pigs ; and think short separate hints on those points would be very valuable, and the sooner furnished the better. Management of an Acre. — About an acre of land in the village of Lavenden, Bucks, and belonging to the poor widow's of Turvey, Beds, has for nearly twenty years past been in the occupation of an industrious labouring man of that place. — The soil is light, and of that quality generally termed scaley or rocky, yet the industry of the occupant has this year drawn from it the following produce. — 180 bushels of potatoes, \2\ bushels of wheat, of the finest quality for the year, and G\ bushels of pulse. ■i. ■i TKSTIMONIAI.S. 275 Whelford. — As an additional relief to the poor, the over- seers, by direction of the parish, hired fourteen acres of land, to be allotted in gardens, for the labouring poor of the parish. The largest contains about sixty perches ; the smallest twenty ; except in some few cases, where there is only one, or perhaps two, in a family, and then they have as little as fourteen perches. The land is a dry healthy warm gravel ; the rent twenty-four shillings per acre. It was intended that they should each pay a proportion of the rent, taxes excepted ; but owing to the pressure of the^times it was proposed to dispense with the rent that year. This supply of garden ground is very acceptable to them, particularly to the industrious labourers, most of whom planted part with potatoes; and although the season past was unfa- vourable to that root, some of these cottagers have had from fifteen to sixteen sacks produce, a supply which has been very beneficial to them during the winter, and of no small advantage to the parish in diminishing the calls for parochial relief. It was by no means a subject of surprise, that of these cottagers some, who have been long in the habit of relying on parish relief for the greater part of their support, should have neglected the cul- tivation of their gardens; for it has been noticed in the parish of Whelford, as well as in other parishes, "that those, who, for a length of time, have been burthensome to the rates, lose all inclination to exist independently." Lord Hopetoun. — We understand that in Lord Hopetoun's lead-hills estates in Lanarkshire, a plan has been acted upon to let the weavers have cottages, and garden-grounds, with the privilege of cultivating as much of the neighbouring hills as their leisure and industry permit. Ross, August 15, 18^2. Captain Adams. — Having had the pleasure of informing the Society of the formation of a Field Garden Society, at Ross, Herefordshire in March last, which was established under cir- cumstances of much difficulty, arising from a variety of causes; the first of which was ignorance of the good effects to be derived, by not only the poor, but the community at large ; — I have now further the gratifying task of informing you that this useful institution has in every respect fully answered, and indeed exceeded the expectations of its discriminating founders. — The 276 TESTIMONIALS. poor, who at present rent the land, certainly at a high price, are contented with their takings, and grateful for the benefits they derive ; whilst industry is encouraged, and all the consequent advantages which must follow such exertions on the part of the poor man, are secured, not only to him but to the community. — On Wednesday, the 1st instant, the first six months' rent became due from forty-two allotments, vvlien the whole of the rent was cheerfully paid by all the tenants, except one, who called in the morning and stated his inability to pay till the fol- lowing Saturday, owing to a disappointment in not receivin^c his wages, and on that day punctually fulfilled his promise. — Tlie good effect of this benevolent institution is fast spreading itself in this and neighbouring districts; and I hope to be able shortly to communicate to the Society more instances of its heart- cheering results. G. D. Ryder, Esq., M.P. — This honourable gentleman writes — " The country, I think, is much indebted to the La- bourers' Friend Society, for the valuable paper which is put forth monthly. With the help of the information which it con- veys, we have laid out Jifty gardens for as many poor families this spring, and the result has been satisfactory in every point of view. We shall probably endeavour to induce the more industrious tenants to take larger allotments this winter, as we conceive that not only vegetables, but a little corn should be raised, in order to benefit the labourer, as well by a larger and more valuable produce, as by withdrawing from the market of labour the few days which he must necessarily employ in culti- vating a larger surface in that season in which it is much over- stocked. The labourer would get better wages when the market was thus relieved ; and the poor-rates which, as raised for the support of the able-bodied men, injure the receiver as well as the payer, might be diminished, whilst the independent and industrious spirit of the working population would be increased. " St Alban's, Sept. 2, 1832." Sir T. D. Acland, Bart., M.P. — In a letter received from Sir T. D. Acland, this gentleman observes, " Your object is one in which I have been long interested. For several years past, a considerable number of my cottagers have had the enjoyment of little spots reclaimed from the waste, and called Hill Gardens. They are eagerly coveted. During the last two years, I have followed, systematically, the plan of letting half or three quar- ters of an acre of good ground at a just value." TESTIMONIALS. 277 Lord Grantham has adopted a new and successful way of preserving his game at Wrest-Park, Bedfordshire. He has allotted to every labourer a portion of liind at a fair rent, suffi- cient to employ all his leisure time, with this condition annexed — that any one of them who shall be convicteu ot ao-ainst the g^ame laws, shall forfi it his land. The c u k • ^■-■, Hills, declares that from ihe time these allotmentt have been got into crops, and the men have tasted the fruits of the labour of their own hands, his office has been pretty near a sinecure. Esteemed Friend, — I have now the pleasure of sending the a copy of the Rules,* &c. of the Taunton and West Somerset La- bourers' Friend Society, which I am happy to sav is fairly at work. We have had much difficulty in gctting^ land, bui. have at length succeeded in taking twelve acres, about a mile from the town. Of seven acres we have possession, and have allotted it to Iwenty-six poor men, v;lio, I rejoice to sav, are now busily en- gaged in cropping it; and we have numerous applications for the field not yet in hand. The system works well at Wiviliscombe, a little manufactur- ing town, ten miles west of Taunton, and has, I am told, in the short space of a year, been the means of lessening the poor- rates considerably. When I have correct data of this fact, I hope to furnish your Society with them. I am, sincerely, Taunton, 5tli Month, 9th, 1833. JoHK YoUNG. Mrs Davies Gilbert, of Eastbourne, who is a zealous friend to the Labourers' Friend Society, informs us she has let small por- tions of land at 6d. per rod, to upwards of 130 labourers, who for two years and a half have duly paid the rents. Not one garden has been given up, nor one forfeit called for, which proves the orderly and j)eaceable disposition of the tenantry, as the conditions on which they hold their small plots are, to for- feit 6d. for trespassing on each other's ground, and to give up both land and crops at any season, on conviction before a magistrate. Mr Ma JEN die. — This gentleman, in his letter to the Com- missioners appointed to intpiire into the poor-laws, and which letter the Commissioners have pul)lisi^.ed, speaking of cottage allotments, thus expresses himself: "Of all remedies for pau- * See Appendix, p. 386. 278 TESTIMONIALS. perism, this offers the most cheerin;^ prospects : it affords to the labourers tlie means of increasing the funds for their maintenance by their own exertions; it calls into action industry, the source of all capital, under the inHuence of the best feelings of our nature." In sending you a report of the progress made by the labourers in Binfield, on the allotments of George Henry Elliott, Esq., I regret he is himself absent in Scotland at present. Mr Elliott, in the year 1831, allotted 13 acres among 22 labourers, who have cultivated them with great success. Many who habitually spent their leisure hours in drinking, now employ themselves in cultivating their allotments. The possession of these small pieces of land has excited in the labourers a pride and spirit which have had the effect of keeping them from the parish, and sensibly decreasing the poor-rates. These possessions tend to the pleasure, as well as the profit, of the labourers and their families, and the effect on their behaviour and general character is striking, being that which self-respect always induces. Should the system become general in this neighbourhood, crime will become rare, and none will resort to the parish for relief, excepting such as are really incapable of work. The heedlessness which was predominant among the labourers (having nothing of their OAvn to value) has dis- appeared, and been replaced by those anxieties which engender frugality. William Deller, Steward to G. H. Elliott, Esq., Binfield, Mr Thomas Clark Brettingham, of Harleston, Norfolk, has let eleven acres of land, in portions, varying from a quarter of an acre to one acre, to about twenty- four tenants, and the result has been most satisfactory. They have always a large quantity of garden produce. They farm it superior to the farmers ; every one of ilieni, he thinks, has a pig, and the village wheelwright has had numerous orders for wheelbarrows. The land is stiff. It is very gratifying to see them at work in the evening; men, ■women, and even the smallest child doing something. The wheat upon their land looks better than farmers' in the neigh- bourhood. Our friend, who informs us of the above, says that he, upon a small scale, has tried transplanting wheat, which has succeeded exceedingly Well : last year, upon a few rods of ground, tl>e produce was at the rate of fourteen coomb^, (a coomb is four TESTIMONIALS. 279 bushels,) whereas on the land adjoining, in a seven-acre field, were obtained only at the rate of six coombs, being under half the other product. The straw also was exquisite, more like reed in size and length. A gentleman in an inland county has made, and is still making the experiment of letting small portions of land to boys, the sons of poor but industrious people. They are taught how to dig, plant, and rear all kinds of vegetables usually grown in gardens; they pay a small rent, and the residue is their own. This, of course, materially assists their parents, and, at the same time, enables them to obtain clothing, &c. The ground is cul- tivated chiefly at odd hours in tlie morning and evening ; and two advantages are thus obtained, — the boys obtain a knowledge of gardening, and they are kept from mischief. The experiment has succeeded to admiration. — Brighton Gazelle. Slutton Rectory, near Ipswich, October SOlh, 1833. Si r, — From the beneficial results which have arisen from let- ting portions of land for spade husbandry, to the poor of my parish, I am induced to communicate to the " Labourer's Friend Society," my annual return of a system which is so essentially improving their condition, and enabling them to reap the fruits of their own industry. The average report of this year, as made by themselves, from a quarter of an acre of land, amounts to 3^ 17s. \d., for which they pay 2s. 6d., in quarterly payments free of all charges; thus deriving a very ample recompense for their l^ibour, and not interfering with the work of their masters, from whom I have received satisfactory characters. It is no trifling inducement, to make this mode of allotment more general, to know that 1 have, without exception, experienced the most thankful acknowledgments from the labourers themselves; and the additional comforts they are deriving are the most likely means of restoring that spirit of honourable independence, which will make them above applying, except in sickness, to the rates of the parish. I am, Sir, your humble servant, Thomas Mills, Rector of Stutton, Suffolk. APPENDIX. RULES OF THE RUGBY POORS' FRIEND SOCIETY. 1. That the land shall be let for one year only; and that the re-letting of each allotment at the end of the year, to the former occupier, shall depend upon the good conduct and proper man- agement of such occupier during the preceding year. 2. That the rent for each allotment shall be paid quarterly, and if it shall be in arrear for ten days after it has been called for, such occupier's take shall not be re-let to him. 3. That the Society shall pay the parish dues. 4. That the tenants shall cultivate their allotments solely by spade husbandry. 5. That upon no account shall any tenant be allowed to under- let his allotment, 6. That if any occupier be detected in any act of dishonesty, or being a drunkard, or frequenter of public-houses, shall (after having been reproved) still persist in such an habit, he shall not be allowed to continue to rent his allotment after the end of the year. 7. That any occupier trespassing upon his neighbour's allotment, or suffering his children to do so, shall also not be allowed to continue to rent his allotment after the end of the year. 8. That whenever the members of this Society shall con- sider that any occupier has not fulfilled the above regulations, they shall be at liberty to direct their superintendent to take possession of such occupier's allotment at the end of the year, making such satisfaction as the superintendent shall think rea- sonable for any crops that may be growing thereon. APPENDIX. 2iil 9. That a Secretary and Treasurer be appointed, in whose names the allotments shall be rated ; and that it be tlie business of such officers to receive the rents from the superintendent, and to pay the rent or rents due from the Society, and that it be competent to such Secretary to call a special "meeting from time to time, by affixing ten days' notice on the two principal church doors. 10. That a General Meetingof this Society be holden the first Monday in May, annually, at the Vestry-room, at six in the evening. CONDITIONS OF TENURE IN THE PARISH OF TOURINGTON ST. CLEMENT. The land shall be kept well cultivated and free from weeds. One half part shall be always fit for sowing with wheat at Mi- chaelmas. The manure arising from the produce, with tlie ashes and soil of the cottage, shall be reserved for and laid on the land. The sale of any part of the produce, without consent of the overseer, so long as the labourer shall be considered only a manager, shall subject him to imprisonment for breach of trust. No relief to be expected by the labourer, or granted by the over- seer, without special application to, and order from, at least one magistrate, during the occupation of any land. In cases of gross misconduct, ill-behaviour, or outrage against morality and reli- gion, the overseer shall at any time, by and with the consent of one magistrate, have tlie power to enter, distrain upon, and take possession of any land let or leased by the parish tor the benefit of the poor. FORM OF AGREEMENT. I, A. B. labourer, of the parish of Torrington Saint Clement, do agree to take roods of land, of the overseer, of the parish, situate in field, subject to the regulations above specified, as witness my hand. In the pre- sence of C. D. Signed by A. B. this day of 18 . RULES AND REGULATIONS AT CRANFIELD. 1. The rent to be paid yearly, on the 1 1th of October. 2. No occupier will Le suffered to re-let his allotment. 282 APPENDIX. 3. No person shall be employed on the land who does not belong to the parish. 4. No occupier will be allowed to plough his land, but be required to cultivate it solely by spade husbandry. 5. If any occupier be found neglectful in the cultivation of his land, he will not be permitted to hold it after the current year. 6. No occupier who is at work for the parish, or for any employer, will be allowed to work upon his land after six o'clock in the morning, or before six in the evening, without permission from his master. 7. No occupier will be suffered to trespass upon another's allotment. 8. All occupiers will be expected to attend regularly at Divine service ; to conduct themselves with sobriety at all times ; and to bring up their families in a decent and orderly manner. 9. Any occupier who may be convicted of thieving, or of any other offence against the laws of the country, will be de- prived of his Garden. 10. Any dispute amongst the cultivators to be referred to twelve of those renting the soil ; the nomination to be with the Committee. RULES AND REGULATIONS AT MIDSOMER NORTON. Each landlord to furnish a proportionate quantity of land. The land to be old pasture, of the best quality, contiguous and convenient of access. The occupiers to be solely labourers, excluding tradesmen and paupers. The land (clear measure within the fences) to be let at 21. 6s. 8d. per acre, being 3|d. per pole. For maintaining fences, gates and stiles, and the haulage of all manure provided, \6s. 8d. per acre, being l}d. per pole. For all parish rates, per acre, 45. 8d. i APPENDIX. 2H3 For tithes (which the vicar liberally conditioned to take as for pasture land) 2s. per acre, bein^ together ^d. per pole. The total rent and all charges, 3/. lOs. per acre, being 5^d. per pole. The occupation, subject to good character, to be guaranteed for a series of years. Grounded on these principles, thirteen rules were drawn up, securing the proper cultivation of tlie land; the mode of dispos- sessing for bad conduct, &c. of which the following is a copy: Rules and Conditions for the Occupation of Land as Field Gar- dens, for the purpose of promoting the comfort and resources of industrious Labourers : — 1. The proprietors of lands let for field gardens, together with those acting on their behalf, and the Vicar of the parish, to constitute a Committee. 2. The occupiers to be residents and parishioners, gaining their livelihood solely by day labour, to the exclusion of all trades- men, and persons usually receiving aid from the parish-rates. 3. The lands let, being old pastures and of excellent quality, the rent and other charges to be as follow : Rate per Acre. Per I-ug. £. s. d. d. Rent per acre, for absolute measurement } within the fences . . • • • • S For haulage of manure and maintaining } fences, gates, and stiles . . . . S For all parish rates, per acre . . 4s. Sd. } For tithes 2s. Od, | 4. The Year's rent to be paid at Michaelmas, or in failure hereof, the crop to be distrained on. 5. The cultivation to be restricted to vegetables, grain and fruit. 6. After the first season not more than two-thirds of any allotment to be appropriated to potatoes in the same year, and no potatoes to be planted without manure, but by permission of the Committee. 7. No allotment or any part thereof to be under-let or exchanged. 2 6 8 — 3| 16 8- 1| 6 8 — 0| 3 10 — 51 28 4 APPEiNUIX. 8. The land to be cultivated solely by manual labour. 9. All manure provided by the occupiers, at or near their dvvell- in-Ts, to be hauled at the cost of the owners of the land, in every year, between November the 1st and March the 1st. 10. Any occupier, or any of his family committing wilful en- croachment, or damage to any allotment, or to the fences, paths, gates, or stiles, or being guilty of theft, or other misdemeanor whatever or wherever, to be subject to immediate removal from his or her allotment, without remuneration for labour or planting. 11. All occupiers to use their best exertions in discovering and bringing to conviction any depredator or trespasser in any of these lands let for field gardens. 12. That as a stimulant to good cultivation, annual premiums will be awarded by the Committee to such occupiers, not being in arrear of rent, as shall provide the greatest proportionate quantity of manure, who keep their land in the best and cleanest order, and produce the largest crops. 13. The equitable construction of these rules and conditions to be vested in the Committee ; and it is hereby mutually agreed between the owners and occupiers of the several lands let for field gardens, that such occupiers as shall satisfactorily fulfil the foregoing rules and conditions may expect to be continued in their allotments for a series of years; but that any occupier, who shall wilfully break or disregard any or either of the said rules and conditions, shall be subject to be dispossessed without fur- ther notice or ejectment suit. Witness our hands this day of 183 Owner. Occupier. of an allotment No. containing lugs or poles, situate in a field called ALLOTMENT RULES OF THE ILMINSTER SOCIETY. 1 . The labourers shall cultivate their allotments, by them- selves and their families alone, and solely by spade husbandry ; and shall rent them on the same terms as those on which the farmer occupies the adjoining lands ; all rates, taxes, and charges on the same being added to such rent. APPENDIX. 2»5 2. Every tenant shall manure one-fourlh part of his allot- ment yearly, and shall never plant more than half of it with potatoes in any one year, nor shall take two crops of potatoes in succession from the same ground. 3. Wheat shall be sown in at least one-third part of every allotment yearly, and vetches shall immediately follow the wheat or other corn crop, and shall ts dug into tl\e ground in the spring by way of additional manure. 4. The rent of each allotment shall be paid half-yearly, viz. on the 25th of iMarch, and the 29th of September ; and if the first half-year's rent shall be in arrear ten days after the dav of payment, or the last half-year's rent be not paid on or before such day of payment, the occupation of such allotment so in arrear shall be forfeited at the end of the year. 5. No tenant shall under-let any part of his allotment, nor turn any live stock upon it. 6. If any tenant shall be convicted of any felony or mis- demeanour, he shall immediately forfeit the possession of his allotment, but any crops that may be growing thereon shall, at the same time, be sold for the benefit of himself and his family; and if any tenant commit any wilful injury on his neighbour's allotment, or persist in frequenting public-houses, or in ex- cessive drinking, after having been reproved and warned, he shall be dispossessed of his allotment at the end of the year. 7. Every tenant shall regularly, on the Sabbath Day, attend his usual place of public worship, together with his family, and be expected to keep the day holy. 8. Every tenant shall continue, year after year, without in- terruption, in the occupation of his allotment, or another equally advantageous to him, at the same rent, as long as he strictly observes these rulps. RULES AT BIRCHANGER, ESSEX. 1. That 21. be the rent per acre, including all pavnicnts and charges, and so in proportion for any less quantity. 2. That the tenant is to cultivate the laud by manual labour alone, and with his best skill and diligence. 3. Not to plant potatoes unless the ground be first proporly manured. 28G APPENDIX 4. Half tlie land only to be culivated with potatoes in any one year ; and no one crop to occupy more than one-half the allotment. 5. In case the land be given up, the occupier to be paid for digging and planting, according to custom. 6. The holders of these allotments must agree to prevent depredations on each other's property, and every sort of encroachment to be strictly avoided. 7. They must assist likewise in convicting persons who may destroy fences, fruit-trees, or crops of any description. 8. No occupier at work for wages, to employ the time en- gaged to his master on his own allotment, without obtaining leave of his master; and to be liable to a forfeit of 2s. 6d. if he work on Sundays, and for the second offence to be expelled. 9. That if any occupier shall become an habitual drunkard and frequenter of public-houses, and after being admonished by the Committee shall persist in the same, he shall be deprived of his land without receiving any remuneration for his labour and planting. 10. The rent to be paid to such person as shall be appointed by the Committee to receive it, within one week after the 29th of September in each year, but any portion of the rent may at any time be paid beforehand as an instalment. 11. No allotment, nor any part of an allotment to be under-let. 12. If any of these conditions be violated, the occupier to be subject to ejectment, without remuneration, as before stated, for labour and planting. RULES OF THE TAUNTON AND WEST SOMERSET LABOURERS FRIEND SOCIETY, FOR REGULATING THE LETTING SiMALL ALLOT- MENTS OF LAND TO INDUSTRIOUS LABOUREUS. 1. That the occupiers of allotments shall not under-let them, or any part of them, or feed any live stock on them. They shall be at liberty to relinquish their allotments by giving six weeks' notice to the Committee, who shall accept a new tenant, and cause a valuation to be put upon the crop, to be paid by the incoming tenant. APPENDIX. 207 2. That the occupiers of tlie several allotments shall ciilii- vate them in an approved manner, solely by s[)ade husbandry, and by themselves and their families ; and shall not plant more than half their allotments with potatoes in any one year. That every occupier shall manure his allotment, at least once in two years, with not less than twelve cart loads of rotten dung per acre, or a proportionate quantity of other manure. 3. That the rent charged to the occupiers shall not exceed the fair average value of land in the neighbourhood, which, in addition to the tithe and parochial rates, shall be paid by the Committee, and be discharged by the occupiers, by four equal payments : — viz. on the 25th March, '24th June, 29th Septem- tjer, and 25th December. If the rent shall be in arrear fourteen days after the time fixed for payment, the Committee shall be at liberty to resume the occupation of such allotment so in arrear, paying the occupier the value of the crops, after deducting the rent due. The quantity of land to be let to any one person, to be at the discretion of the Committee, but in no one case to exceed a quarter of an acre. 4. The occupiers shall be entitled to hold their respective allotments so long as the Society continues in the possession of the same, provided they conform to and fulfil the Rules and Regulations of the Society. 5. If any tenant commit any wilful injury on his neighbour's allotment, or damage the fences, or persist in frequenting the public-house, or in excessive drinking, after having been re- proved and warned, he shall be dispossessed of his allotment at the end of the year, without any remuneration for labour or crop. 6. Every occupier shall regularly attend a place of worship on the Sabbath Day, together with his family. RULES AND REGULATIONS RESPECTING THE ALLOTMENT OF GARDEN LAND FOR LA- BOURERS IX THE PARISH OF WOHURN. 1. The rent to be paid yearly, on the 11th of October. 2. No occupier will be suffered to re-let his allotment. 3. No person shall be employed on the '\dn\d who does not belong to the parish. 2tiB APPKNDJX. 4. No occupier will be allowed to plough his land, but be required to cultivate it solely by spade husbandry, 5. If any occupier is found neglectful in the cultivation of his land, he will not be permitted to hold it after the current year. 6. No occupier, who is at work for the parish, or for any employer, will be allowed to work upon his land after six o'clock in the morning, or before six in the evening, without permission from his master. 7. No occupier will be suffered to trespass upon another's allotment. 8. All occupiers will be expected to attend regularly at divine service; to conduct themselves with sobriety at all times j and to bring up their families in a decent and orderly manner. 9. Any occupier who may be convicted of poaching, thieving, or of any other offence against the laws of his country, will be deprived of his garden. RULES OF THE ROSS FIELD GARDEN SOCIETY. 1, That the payment of Five Shillings per annum, do con' stitute a member of this Society; and that there be annually elected by such members, a Committee, Treasurer and Honorary Secretaries, to manage its affairs. 2. The subscription-money is intended to cover the ex- pences of the Society, and the surplus to be annually distributed by the Committee, to the most deserving tenants of allotments, by way of premium and encouragement. 3d. That the land shall be divided into lots, of not exceed- ing one rood, with suitable roads and paths for occupation, and to be let for one year only, and that the re-letting of each allot- ment at the end of the year, to the former occupier, shall depend upon the good conduct and proper management of such occu- pier, during the preceding year; and that no occupier shall be allowed to under-let his allotment. 4. That the tenants of the several allotments shall be selected by the Committee, out of the most industrious and or- derly inhabitants of the parish of Ross; and that the allotments be determined by the occupiers themselves in the first instance by lot, to prevent partiality. ^;;i . APPENDIX. 289 5. That each tenant of an allotment shall till the same by the spade, and shall not plant more than half the allotment with potatoes; and there shall annually be laid by the tenant on each allotment of one rood two cart loads at least of good manure, and so on in proportion for any similar allotment. 6. The rent lobe paid half-yearly, by each occupier, on the first day of August, and second day of February in every year, between the hours of six and nine o'clock in the evening, at the Grammar School, — the first half year to be paid on the first of August next. 7. That in default of payment of any half year's rent, ac- cording to Rule 6, the tenancy of any occupier shall then cease, and he shall forfeit the crop, all manure then on his allotment, and all his other interest therein. And by way of penalty, the tenancy of any occupier shall cease in like manner at any time if he neglect to cultivate his allotment to the satisfaction of the Committee; or if he trespass by himself, or his family, on his neighbour's allotment; in either of which cases the occupier shall be turned out of his allotment, without notice, and such allotment re-let by the Committee on such terms as they may direct. 8. That no tenant shall crop or injure any tree or sapling, or injure the live hedges of any of the boundary fences of the fields, such fences to be only laid in proper season, and kept in repair by the Committee, the expence of which to be borne by the whole of the tenants of such field, in such ])roportions as shall be fixed by the Committee, and be paid by the several te- nants at the next rent-day. 9. If any dispute arise between any two or more occupier, the same shall be referred to, and settled by the Committee, whose determination shall be binding between the parties. FORM OF AGREEMENT. I, the undersigned do hereby agree to become tenant to Nathaniel Morgan, Esq., the Treasurer of this Society, of the Allotment No. in at the yearly rent of to be paid on the days and times, and at the place named in the sixth rule. And I do hereby agree to abide by, and perform the above rules and regulations, and to pay the tithe rates and assessments on such allotment, and that for neglect and non-observance thereof, I will willingly quit the same when directed by the Committee, without notice, or any satisfaction being paid, or allowed me on account thereof ; and that in default of my so quitting posses- sion of the said allotment, the said Committee shall be at liberty u •290 APPENDIX. to turn me out of possession, without any legal process ; and that this agreement on my part shall be an effectual bar to any proceedings being taken by me, either in law or in equity, for such forcible removal. As witness my hand, this day of 183 GILLINGHAM (DORSET) AUXILIARY SOCIETY. [From Mr Bell.] I believe I gave you to understand that our rent-day was fixed for Michaelmas, when our tenants were informed that they would be expected to pay their yearly rent; the land, recollect, they entered upon in the Spring of the present year, and the hour fixed for their attendance was seven in the evening, — be- fore eight every tenant had paid all his rent ; we had not a single murmur, and all went off most satisfactorily. The allotments held of this Society vary in sizcj from one rood to nearly one acre, and are let at 3d. and 4d. per perch, according to the quality of the soil. The total quantity of laud thus occupied by fifty-one persons, is 25a. 1h. 4p. These allotments are held under the following rules, viz. 1. The rent to be paid annually, on the 29th of September. 2. The tenant distinctly to understand, that, as the objects of the Society are intended solely for his benefit, his continuing to retain his allotment will depend on his own industry, sobriety, general good conduct, regularity in the payments of rent, and other incidental charges ; and that, so long as his character con- tinues to meet the Society's approval, he will be allowed to re- main in possession ; but that, if he fail in any of these respects, his allotment will be taken from him, at the end of the year, and assigned to another tenant. 3. No occupier to plant more than half his allotment with potatoes in one year, without the special permission of the Committee. 4. No occupier to be suffered to re-let his allotment. 5. No occupier to be allowed to plough his land, but be re- quired, solely, to cultivate it by spade husbandry. 6. No occupier to trespass upon another's allotment. 7. Any disputes that may arise with any of the occupiers. APPENDIX. 2lJl respecting their allotments, to be referred to the Committee, and their decision to be binding. 8. The fences of each field to be kept in repair by the occu- piers, and the labour and expense equally proportioned. 9. Any occupier who may be convicted of poaching, thieving, or any other offence against the laws of his country, will be de- prived of his garden. FORM OF AGREEMENT. I, labourer, of the parish of Gillingham, do agree to take of land, of the Committee of the Gilhngham Labourers' Friend Society, situate , at the yearly rent of per , and subject to the regulations above specified. As witness my hand, this day of 18 Signed by in the presence of GENERAL INDEX AND ANALYSIS. ADDRESS Of Rev. H. F. Yeatmaii on the Allotment System, 126 E. A. Sandford, Esq., 139 Rev. W. F. Chilcot, 141 Rev. L. B. Wither, 144 Capt. Scobell, 154 Rev. W. B. Whitehead, 263 AGRICULTURAL SCHOOLS, Recommendation of, 53 ALLOTMENT SYSTEM, Beneficial effects of, 3, 9, 10, 19, 23,27, 30, 42, 49, 54, 67, 73, 92, 96, 109, 120, 144 Beneficial to mechanics, 55, 97, 133, 181 fisherman, 67 Facts respecting, 2, 9, 10, 15, 24, 27, 29, 44, 46, 54, 68, 92, 107, 111, 179, 183 Reasons for adopting, 84, 95, 137, 267 Progress of, 155, 180, 185, 216, 237, 242, 249, 253 Results of, 6, 9, 10, 19, 21, 27, 68, 74, 78, 92, 94, 119, 161, 196, 203 Remarks on, 1, 15, 22, 27, 31, 45, 54, 56, 63, 81, 96, 103, 118, 146, 155, 193, 206 Effect of, in improving the character of labourers, 68, 111, 120, 124, 184, 185, 216, 226, 249, 256, 262 Effect of, with reference to early and improvident marriages, 98 Importance of, to the home trade of manufacturers, 107, 209, 239 Advantages of, nationally considered, 121 National saving to be effected by, 42, 137 Causes of failure of, in certain places, 29, 57, 93, 217 Should not be conducted on eleemosynary principles, 57, 97 Letter on, by Lord Winchilsea, 31 Plan at Terrington, 42 Wells, 12 Recommendations of, by Norfolk magistrates, 80 Results of, at Terrington, 44 in the neighbourhood of Devizes, 216 as practised by the Duke of Buckingham, 218 the Duke of Bedford, 224 294 INDEX. ALLOTMENT SY STEM— Continued. Moral and physical success of, in two parishes in Wiltshire, 27 Success of, with details by llev. Mr Dcmainbray, 15 Lord Braybroke, 22 Rev. L. B. Wither, 95 Capt. Scobell, 81, 155, 192 ASSOCIATIONS For providing labourers with land, 45 At Wantage, 66 Mailing, 112 Cheshunt, 211 Bath, 174 AUXILIARY SOCIETIES, Formation of, 205 Sturminster Newton, 126 Taunton, 139 East Somerset, 174 Fordingbridge, 182 Gloucester and Somerset, 186 Wrington, 190 Devizes, 194 Wallingford, 214 Berkshire, 223 Banbury, 230 Ilminster, 263 CHARACTERS OF LABOURERS Improved with their circumstances, 68, 111, 120, 124, 184,226,239, 249, 256, 262 COMMONS, Effect of breaking up, 215 Inclosures of, 2 — 9 CONDITIONS , ^,, ^_ Of tenure on allotting land, 72, 79, 98, 110, 165, 186, 188, 244, 280 COTTAGES, , ^ , „ Important that they should be comfortable, both to health and morals ot labourers, 232 COWS Beneficial to labourers, 4, 62, 74 Advantages of, detailed by Lord Winchilsea, 31 Profits of, 32, 62, 119 Facts respecting, 4, 22, 31 FARMERS, Their groundless dread of allotments, 121, 262, 268 Interest of, should not be allowed to interfere with that of labourers, 123,210,211 Address to, on the allotment system by the Rev. L. B. Wither, 144 FISHERMEN Benefited by land, 67 INDEX. 205 LABOURERS, Advantages of land to them, 9, 10, 21, 27, 31, 36, 44, 50, 67, 74, 78, 92, 94,96, 116,208,216 Cases of individual benefit to, from land, 62, 68, 76, 113, 180, 184, 189, 251 Causes of their distress, 50, 137, 166, 213 Circular respecting, by Sir G. Crew to his tenants, 87 issued in Somersetshire, 259 Evidences concerning, by Mr Beard, 63 Remarks on, by John Denson, 21, 55, 101 Characters and habits of, improved with their comfort and welfare, 68, 111, 184, 120, 124, 185, 216, 226, 239, 249, 256, 262 Early marriages of, restrained by providing them with land, and in- creasing their comforts, 98 Demoralizing effect of their being solely dependent on wages and parochial aid, 138, 148, 184, 208 Not worse servants for possessing land, 111 Mode of securing tlieir good conduct, 59, 86, l48, 214, 262, 168 Their labour, their capital, 141, 238 Their present condition, remarks on, means of, and suggestions for improving, &c., 31, 44, 56, 81, 99, 148, 206, 213 Reasons for, and policy of improving, 10, 22, 40, 89, 100, 138 Importance of improving, to Landlords especially, 120 Expenditure of, weekly, for necessaries, 129, 204 Food alone, 130 Yearly for clothes. Generally, and how reduced by providing them with land, 51 111 effects of annually changing their land, 93 Should not be sub-tenants, but rent immediately of the owner, 103, 2-58 Importance of providing them with land, exemplified, 9, 10, 27, 40, 44, 74, 96, 180 Detailed minutely by Rev. I\Ir Demainbrav, 15 Rev. L. B. Wither, 95 Parochial employment of in spade husbandry, 44, 77 LABOUR-RATE, Compared as a system with that of the Allotment of Land, 247 LAND, Benefit of, to labourers 9, 10, 19, 21, 27, 30, 31, 36, 44, 46, 74, 78, 92 94, 90, 109, 116, 185, 208, 216 To mechanics, 55, 97, 133, 181 To fishermen, 67 Instanced in individual cases, 62, 68, 76, 113, 116, 180, 184, 189, 251 Value of, to cottagers, 19, 21, 36, 95, 111 Increased by allotting it to labourers, 20, 30, 66, 207 Quantity to be allotted, 40, 79, 95, 188, 258 How to be limited, 104 Plan of cultivating, 47, 101, 125 Peculiar cultivation of, in alternate crops of potatoes and wheat, by a woman, 69 Remedy its improved cultivation would afford for the national distress, 19,21,36,95, HI Produce of, under Spade Ilusbandrv, by labourers, 70, 78, 80, 96, 102, 216 Should be held by labourers immcdialchj of the owners, 103, 258 296 INDEX. LANDLORDS Benefited by Allotment system, 120 Interest of, interwoven with that of labourers, 145 MANUFACTURERS Benefited by land, 55, 97, 235, 184 Of India relieved by cultivating land, 165 Recommendation of the Allotment system for their benefit, by Mr Gaskell, 336 MARRIAGES OF LABOURERS. Improvident ones restrained by granting them land, 98 MANURE, Collection and management of, 117, 162, 164, 190 PARISH FARMS, Remarks on, with the details of a successful one, 244 PIGS, Profits of, to labourers, 40 POOR-RATES Increased in certain places by depriving cottagers of means of keeping cows, 2, 9, 38 Intirely prevented in a parish so long as labourers possessed land. Diminution of, effected by the Allotment system, 28, 30, 44, 71, 92, 94, 99,114,158,249,252,257 Compared for 50 years in two villages, one where the labourers had land, the other not, 131 Degrading and disheartening effects of, 99 Remedy for, 39, 146, 151 POTATOE GARDENING, Advantages of, to labourers, 86, 122 detailed by Bishop of Bath and Wells, 11 Profits of, 14, 109, 142 Bad as a system, and useless as a means of improving the condition of labourers, 217 PRODUCE AND PROFITS Of land let in small quantities, 13, 18, 21, 22, 24, 66, 70, 78, 80, 102, 107, 119, 144, 150, 154, 156, 108, 206, 216, 266 RENT Of land allotted to labourers, 37, 77, 83, 95, 110, 113, 146, 156, 159, 165, 196, 214, 216, 226 Punctual payment of, by labourers, 161, 183, 186, 188, 256 RULES AND REGULATIONS Made on allotting land, 154, 280 SPADE HUSBANDRY, Advantages of, 30, 104, 254, 271 Parochial employment of labourers in, 177, 254 INDEX. 297 TABLES Of produce, expenses, and profits of allotted land, with general results, 168, 196, 216 WAGES, Amount of, 62, 63 WHEAT, Advantages of dibbling and transplanting, 125 WIVES AND FAMILIES OF LABOURERS, Work done by, 69 Peculiar and successful management of land by a wife, 69 INDEX OF PERSONS REFERRED TO. Atherton, A., Esq. Abbot, B. (labourer) Austin, Rev. J. Adams, Capt. G. Acland, Sir T. D. Page 7 . 75 . 211 , . 228 241, 276 Bromhead, Sir E. F. . . . 5 Baker, William ... 10 Bath and Wells, Bishop of, 11, 94, 174 Braybrooke, Lord . 22, 58, 253 Bull, Rev. H. Barker, Mr T. Bransgrove, James Bentinck, Lady Frances Burgoync, M., Esq., Beard, Rev. J. Barker, James, Esq. Banister, Rev. J Birch, Major . Bates, Rev. Mr Babington, Thomas, Esq Burd, W., Esq. Brydges, Sir Egerton Bernard, Rev. W. Brookes, G. (labourer) Burdett, W. J. Esq. Brigstock, W. P., Esq. Baker, S. Esq. Blackstone, W. S. Esq., Buckingham, Duke of Bedford, Duke of Buntingfield, Rev. T. Brettingham, T. C, Esq. . 23 . . 33 . 40 . 42 . 5.3, 61 60, 62, 65 67 92 93 112 118 134 137 141 150 159 175 191 215 218 218 250 278 M.P Pape Capper, G. (labourer) . . 62 Carnarvon, Lord . . 63 Crewe, Sir G. . . .87 Chichester, Lord . . . 107 Cooper, W. D., Esq. . . 108 Chilcott, Rev. W. F. 141, 239 Cooper, W. T. C, Esq. . 184 Churchill, Lord . . . 243 Cripps, Rev. Henry . . 250 Demainbray, Rev, S. . . 15 Denson, John . 21,46,54,101 Dudlow, _, Esq. . 112,272 Estcourt, Thomas, Esq. 71, 194 Elliott, G. II., Esq. . . 278 Forrester, Mrs ... 29 Fairfax, — , Esq. . . . 76 Fleming, — Esq. . . 179 Falla, Mr 271 Goode, Rev. A. . . .41 Gore, M., Esq. . . . 86 Gore, Langton, Esq. . . 159 Gaskell, P., Esq. . . . 235 Gilbert, Davies Mrs . . 277 Grantham, Lord . . . 277 Howard, C. Esq. ... 5 Herod, Mr . . . . 8 Hobman, Mr G. . . .39 Horlock, I. W.. Esq. . . 29 Heneage, — , Esq. . . 86 298 [NDEX. Page Page Horner, Col. . 164 Pole, Capt. . . 136, 206, 212 Heathcote, Sir W. " . . 180 Pusey, P., Esq. 223, 243 Hawkes, W. R., Esq. . 193 Purt, Mr. . . . 189, 227 Hopetoun, Lord . . 275 Pring, Mr Jas. • 237 Knap, William . . 20 Rook, Thomas 5 Kcyworth, Rev. — . 66 Rawlence, G. C, Esq. , 182 Kenyon, Lord . . 77 Richards, Edw. (labourer) » 251 Kent, Mr . ... . 78 Ryder, G. D., Esq. • 276 King, Bolton, Esq. . . 186 Kinglake, Dr . 240 Sheffield, Sir R. , 6 Scobell, Capt. . 81, 155, 176, 192 Lefroy, Mrs . 92 Sherborne, Lord 110, 250 Lance, Mr . . 124 Streaton, — (labourer) 113 Loftiis, G., Esq. . 126 Sanford, E. A., Esq., M.F 139 Lock, Sir J. . . 229 Seaman, H. (labourer) . 189 Lethbridge, Sir T. B. . 241 Lawrence, C, Esq. . 249 Thomson, Richard Thomas, Rev. W. P. . 5 140 Millward, Rich, (labourer) . 68 Trench, F., Esq. 179 Marshall, Chas. (labourer) . 116 Tynte, C. Kemys, Esq. 241 Mason, Capt. . 153 Twynam, Mr 271 Morris, Eden, (labourer) . 210 Majendie, — , Esq. , . 277 Upcher, H. Esq. 168 Mills, T. Esq. . 279 Vavasour, Sir H. . 5 Norfolk, Magistrates of. . 80 Warner, Rev. Richard 11 Olivier, H. S. Esq. . 195 Winchilsea, Earl of 31 Wither, Rev. L. B. . 95 143 Pultcney, Sir W. . 68 Whitehead, Rev. W. B. . 259 263 Pearson, Rev. A. . 79, 105 Parry, Dr . . . . 175 Yeatman, Rev. H. F. . , 126 Phillips, J. L., Esq. . 177 Young, John, Esq. . * 277 INDEX OF PLACES REFERRED TO. Page Page Abingdon Pigots • 2 Birchanger 285, 193 Ash, Surrey , . 116 Barford, Wilts . 212 Aldenham, Herts , . 153 Banbury . . . 230 Airington, Hants • . 218 Barnwell, Somerset Bathpool . 231 . . 237 Burley-on-the-Hill . 4, 30, 131 Burwash . 4, 30, 131 Clapham, Sussex . 2 Bexley , . 10 Creak, North . . 8 Broad Somerford . , . 17 Castle Carey . . 11 Byfield . , 49 Colerne . 29 Britlington, Essex , 67 Cranfield 60, 113,281 Barrow, Somerset • 87 Crondall . 93 Bath . % 174 Clutton . . . 163 Bristol « 186 Cheshunt . 211 Bishop Stortford . • fl 193 Charney, Wilts . . 244 INDEX. 2!)f) Page Cirencester .... 249 Chard 259 Devizes . . . .194 Dcnch worth . . . . 244 Egleton .... 4 Epping Gl Emberrow . . . .163 Easton 218 Edmonton .... 227 Ealmer . . . .107 Grcetham .... 4 Grimstead, West . . . 4 (irccnford .... 40 Gilliiigham . . 234, 290 Ilambleton .... 4 Ilillfarrance, Somerset . . 133 Hursley .... 180 Hinton Abbey . . . . 243 Hanney .... 244 Ilatford 244 Itchin, Hants . . . 218 Ilminster . . 263, 284 Kingstone, St Michael . . 7 Kelvedon Hatch ... 78 Kempsford . . . . 250 Liddlington ... 2, 62 Long- Newton . . . 6, 71 Eittlebury ... 23, 2.57 Eyndon . . . . . ;33 Littleton, High, Somerset 82, 155, 192 Lavington, West, Wilts . 243 Lavenden, Bucks Mayfield Marshland Milton, Cambs. ISIidsomer Norton Monk, Sherborn ^Mailing, Kent . ]\Ielksham Margate . . 274 4 . . 41 54 82, 155, 162 . 95 . . 112 . 177 . . 244 Newark on Trent North Creak, Norfolk North iam Newport Pagnell, Bucks Pace Newton, Long . . .6, 70 Norton, Midsomer, Somerset 82, 155, 162 6 8 30 37 Orcheston, Wilts . Okeliampton PuUy, Salop . Potterii, Wilts . Pulborough, Sussex Prcstod Rugby Rottingdcan . Ross, Hereford . 87 . . 134 . 68 195 . 211 . . 250 . . 25, 281 . 62 228, 275, 288 Snettisham .... 2 Shipley . . . . . 4 Shepton Mallet . . .12 Somerford, Broad . . .17 Saffron Walden . . 23, 25;i Springfield, Essex . . . 79 Sherborn, Monk ... 95 Sturminster, Dorset . . . 126 Stone Easton . . .16.3 Sherringham, Upper, Norfolk . 168 Stoneham, North . . . 179 Stroud ..... 235 Stand ford . . . . 244 Syde 249 Tliurlby . . . , . 5 Thorne .... 7 Terrington . . . . 42 Thoydon, Bois ... 61 Tadcaster, Yorkshire . . 75 Toddington, Bedfordshire 108, 184 Taunton . .139, 237, 286 Uley, Gloucester . Wells Waterbeach . Woburn . Wantage Worting, Hants Wootton Warren Farm, Bexley, Wrington, Somerset Wallingford . Woof ton-under- Edge Wendell Walden, Saffron Whelford . 235 . . 12 . . 21, 46 65, 224. 287 66 . . 95 146 189 . 190 214, 216 . 235 . 257 23,253 . 275 95, Kent LONDON. PRINTED BY C. AXD W. KEVXEM., 16 LITTF.E PII.TENEY