Landowners were very rich but the people who worked on the land were very poor. Even in the 1880s some farm labourers earned less than 10 shillings (50p) a week with free beer, milk or firewood adding to their wage. Often the workers rented their cottage from the farmer so if they lost their job they would lose their home as well.
In the 1850s farming was booming as food supplies were needed for the new towns, but by 1875 cheap food was being imported from other countries. There were a number of bad harvests and new machines such as threshers did the work faster than men. Many farmworkers moved into the towns and found jobs in the factories, where they worked shorter hours and were better paid. |
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The
work was hard and involved being outdoors in all weathers. The working
day was long, especially during busy times such as harvest and haymaking
when the whole family might be needed to help with the work.