inKixc i'i;i:ss of aokicultukal work. 237 



labour is as necessary as in liarvest. A digger is one of the 

 iinplenients of such a farm. 



The fanner, more than any employer of labour, is e.xcluded 

 from tlie advantages of division, for, wlien the weather suits, all 

 who can bear a hand are in requisition at the jol) requiring to be 

 [»ut out of danger. As a rule, however, it is unwise to keep 

 workers at what they are awkward, and, if possible, they should 

 not be moved in the middle of a half day. The labour of shift- 

 ing is as severe as actual work, and moreover is entirely unpro- 

 (hictive. It is a good move in both master and ser\'ant to renew 

 engagements. Tlie men who stay longest in one employment 

 are the best of servants, and the master who does not take 

 a greater interest in an old servant must not be altogether 

 Innnan. 



If there is anything which has detracted from the independence 

 and self-reliance of the working man, it is the Poor Laws. They 

 may be termed a necessary evil, but there are means of gi^ing 

 the men a better s])irit, and these means have n(jt been by the 

 l)rivileged higher classes patronised and supported as they ought. 

 Friendly societies for the sick and those off work through no fault 

 of their own, deserve every encouragement. It has been said, 

 and truly, that a very small weekly or monthly payment by 

 those earning wages would save a poor-rate altogether, but it is 

 only by example and kindly interest that such can be advanced, 

 not by compulsion or an interference with the liberty of the sub- 

 ject. The saving's banks have been productive of much good, and 

 precept should run a deal in this direction. 



