On June 29th 1872 it was reported that about forty agricultural labourers with their wives and children who have been employed on several farms in South Wiltshire and had joined the West of England Labourers Union left their homes and had proceeded in body to the Great Western Railway and then via Reading to take employment in the North in order to secure higher wages.
Agricultural Labourers wages
England Wage: 1s 6d to 2s 9d Food: white bread, bacon, potatoes, vegetables, cheese, tea, coffee, beer, cider, milk, butter
Scotland Food Oatmeal, porridge, bread, potatoes, milk, butter, tea, coffee, little bacon
Ireland 1s to 1s 8d Food bread, potatoes, oatmeal milk, whisky, bacon
1872 still labourers wearing "white smocks" in some areas, including Buckinghamshire but considered antiquated by new radical elements amongst Labourers.
May 1872 Agricultural Labourers at Milborne St Andrews, 8 miles from Blandford, Dorset on strike for 12 shillings presently on 9s
Medical Report 1872
The English agricultural labourers is extremely different man in habits and mode of life from the English town labourer, whether mechanical or manufacturing hand.
He is taller, bigger and stronger
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Other Notes:
The Amalgamated Society of Engineering (Later AEU Union) grant £300 to Joseph Arch's Warwick agricultural union
Great demo in Leeds in honour of Mrs Newsome imprisoned for 14 days her prominent role during Flax Workers strike (1,000 women on strike) May 1872