FARM LIFE

WORKING LIFE ON THE YORKSHIRE WOLDS

In the nineteenth century the Midgleys lived on the Wolds, one of the most completely rural areas in England. The hills were mainly chalk covered with a thin, light loam. To be sure of a water supply the villages were located at the foot of the slopes or in the lower valleys. In 1800 farmsteads often stood in the village centres. Large open fields still surrounded most of the villages. Much of the higher land was set aside for sheep grazing. The typical farm was small, selling a low proportion of its produce.

The next decades were to see Enclosure, the introduction of crop rotation, the increased use of farm horses, and better machinery. Many of the large new farms were a considerable distance from the nearest settlement. Farms grew in size and shrank in number. Farmers became more prosperous as the industrialised West Riding provided a growing market for the East Riding’s grain (especially barley), vegetables and meat.

In 1800 few adult villagers relied on wages alone. As well as undertaking some paid manual work they might own or rent a plot of land, have access to common land or waste for keeping livestock, and have a trade that provided a steady income. By the end of the century the married agricultural labourer was completely dependent on the wages he earned.

Unmarried men and boys in their early teens became ‘servants in husbandry’. In the East Riding the tradition of farm service lasted throughout the period covered. Farmers and servants would meet up at hiring fairs held in all the market towns around Martinmas (November 23rd.). They would negotiate contracts for a year and a bargain struck would be sealed by the farmer giving a fastening penny. The farm servants had very little free time: they would rise at 4 a.m. in the summer (5.30 a.m. in winter), and finish work at 6.30 p.m. (8.00 p.m. in winter). Much of their time was spent looking after the livestock, especially the farm horses. The masters provided three meals a day and lodging, and the wage was not paid until the end of the contract. The farm lads usually changed farms each year.

Once they were married most farm servants became agricultural labourers. They would settle in a nearby village (often in a tied cottage) and be paid each week. The farm labourers could handle a wide variety of jobs and would be given instructions according to the needs of the day. Typical tasks would include hedging, helping in the sheepfold, and maintenance work. They would work six days a week, perhaps from 7 a.m to 6 p.m., and return home each evening. Most agricultural labourers would struggle to provide adequate food for their children all year round, even though East Riding farmers usually paid better wages than their counterparts elsewhere and didn’t lay off their labourers unless they were sick.

As the century progressed more and more farmers began to employ hinds. The hind and his wife housed and fed the farm servants, and were responsible for the day-to-day running of the farm. A few hinds were able to save enough money to take on a farm tenancy.