We have always suggested, as the basis of compromise between
farmer and labourer, a grant of an acre of land to each effective man, in addition to the silver wages. Messrs. Davison, of Andover; farm agents, recently wrote to say they always granted this, allowing each man from 1,500 to 2,000 "running rods" of potato- ground, or taking the mean between these two figures, la. lr. 20p.f and found all their labourers thoroughly content. "A. B. C." thereupon writes to the Times to say, so they ought to be, and to suggeat some error, for the quantity of ground named would produce, at the very least, 300 bushels of potatoes, worth, at 2s. a bushel, £.30, Why should there be any error ? The land only costs the farmer at the outside '40s.. a year; and if, by sacri- ficing 10d. a week,, he can double his, labourers' wages, surely that is excellent policy for him. We do not believe a labourer with 12s. a week and an acre would ever willingly quit a farm; yet his master would only be giving him 12s. 10d. The real objection to this plan entertained by the farmers is not its cost, but- a fear lest the labourer should be too independent, and the farmer's power of dismissal be in some degree restrained. It is difficult to dismiss a tenant with £80 in the ground at a week'fi notice. He might get angry.
