R3/4739

Letter Reads- Duke to place 50 annually at disposal of Committee of the Bedford Agricultural Society with some suggestions of his own for consideration of Mr. Pym and the Committee. When Bennett looked at his list however of how Duke's premium to be given this year found it made 40. Bennett argues against plan first proposed by Duke of Richmond obliging farm tenants to employ a fixed number of Labourers. Feels that whilst landlord should insist on tenantry properly cultivating their farms, the manner in which it is done should be up to them. Up to tenant, whether use improved ploughs or stick to four horses in a team or even go back to spade labourers. Same applies to number of men employed. If one careful tenant gets by with 10 men and another inattentive one has to use 12, all pay same rent. Not for landlord to interfere, can only set a good example. Farmer has to keep his farm up to the mark by employing a certain number so a stipulation for a minimum number useless. Are some bad farmers who cause distress by turning off their people, but one bad example the exeption - a 'labour system' be far more objectionable. In reply to landlord's observations that a farm been improperly cultivated, tenant would reply 'I have got my allotted number'. Not improve standard of labourers if know farmer have to keep them. Tends towards serfdom. In Purser's case, made the system excuse to reduce wages of his labourers. Circumstances might occur where tenant might need more labourers if farm out of condition, but in time might want to reduce them. Should be left to own discretion not inhibited by a 'labour system'. Mr. Thomas, who is said to be most liberal paymaster on Estate, asked Bennett's opinion of regulating wages according to a plan adopted in some parts of Norfolk and Lincoln - a labourer's week's work worth the third part of four bushels of wheat. If 9/- a bushel week's wages be 12/-. Sees no objection to it if tenant does pay fair amount when wheat is high - Bennett skeptical that he would. Shows for example that when wheat was 8/6 or 9/- a bushel a few years ago, wages did not get beyond 10/- Mr. Thomas could extend the system in his case to have part of wages paid in wheat, labourers grind own bread, accustom labours' families to more domestic work, fit them better for going into farmhouse service instead of learning nothing but lace pillow making and straw plaiting, the fertile source of prostitution and other depraved habits which our villages are becoming notorious for. Mr. Ashfield has declined to take Drakeloe Lodge as it is too large.

21 June 1843

From: 1843 To: 1843

item

Haedy, C,
Pym,
Bennett,
Richmond, Duke of,
Purser,
Thomas,
Ashfield

farms, farmer, labourer, horses, wheat, lace making, straw plaiting, prostitution, letters, WOBURN, Woburn Abbey, Norfolk, Lincoln