Green Mountain Freeman

Wages of Labor.

From an instructive article on the subject of agricultural labor in different countries, its wages, and the comparative condition of the laborer, in the London Mark Lane Express, we condense the following facts. In our estimates we have called the shilling sterling 22 cents, though its value is a trifle less; and the comparison, though instituted with the English laborer, can be easily made with those of this country.

In England the average rate of agricultural wages for an able man with a family, is 9 shillings, or $1.98 cents per week. From this is to be deducted cottage rent at 33 cents per week, leaving $1.65 cents per week to provide himself with the necessaries of life. In France, a laborer in the same situation, receives $1.04 per week; in Prussia, 66 cents; in Germany $1.02 per week: in Holland and Belgium $1.20; in Italy and the Austrian states, $1.15 cents. It will be remembered that these averages are those of the common laborer, shepherds carmen, and mechanics receiving rather more.

The food which the wages named above will purchase in the several countries, is stated in the Express as follows:

In England the laborer can obtain for his 165 cents, or his week's wages, either 38 lbs. of bread, or 11 1-2 lbs. of meat; 7 1-4 lbs. of butter: 12 3-4 lbs. of cheese: or 174 lbs. of potatoes.

In France, with his 104 cents, he can buy either 46 lbs. of bread; 13 1-2 lbs. of meat; or 261 lbs. of potatoes.

In Prussia, with his 66 cents per week, the laborer can buy either 36 lbs. of bread; 16 lbs. of meat; or 8 3-4 lbs. of butter.

In Germany, with 102 cents he obtains either 43 1-2 lbs. of bread; 18 lbs. of meat; 11 1-2 lbs. of butter; 24 lbs. of cheese; or 54 quarts of beer.

In Holland and Belgium, 120 cents will buy either 58 lbs. of bread; 22 lbs. of beef; or 460 lbs. of potatoes.

In Italy and the Austrian states, the laborer with his 115 cents can buy either 50 lbs. of bread; 22 lbs. of beef, 8 lbs. of butter, 8 lbs. of cheese, or 168 lbs. of potatoes.

This table is interesting as showing not only the prices of labor in the countries named, but also the price of bread, meat, butter, cheese, &c. It is true the bread is stated by the lb. instead of grain by the bushel, but as the flour of a bushel of wheat, say 40 lbs. will make from 63 to 65 lbs. of bread, an estimate may easily be made of the quantity of wheat or flour a man in any of the countries named would receive for a week's work. The laborer in this country who receives his bushel of wheat a day, or other articles in proportion, will readily conceive the meagre fare, and slender chance of "laying by any thing" which must attend the foreign agricultural laborer. In all these countries it will be seen that the value of provisions is at least as great as here, and in some instances much greater. It is only by the comparisons which such authentic statements enable them to make, that the free laborers, the farmers or mechanics of this country can fully appreciate the advantages of their positions.—Albany Cultivator.