124 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



to loss. There has been no work for the latter purpose, I 

 think, in twenty years. 



I expect my hired men and myself will do as much as any 

 other equal number of workmen ; and we accomplish it by 

 taking all the advantages of doing it in season, and by never 

 taking three steps where two will answer. 



I will illustrate this matter of taking unnecessary steps by 

 supposing a case. 



A man starts for a distant field to cultivate and hoe. On 

 arriving, he finds his whippletree was left at the tool-house. 

 Some one must go for it. Sharp words, perhaps, are said at 

 the forgetfulness of him who should have taken it. The 

 day thus commences unpleasantly. By and by the heat and 

 labor occasion thirst, and it is found that no drink was taken 

 to the field, but must be sent for. After the man who does 

 the cultivating has completed that, he is to work with the 

 others ; but his hoe was forgotten, and must be sent for. The 

 farmer who does thus in one thing generally does the same 

 in many, and he may work till doomsday without accomplish- 

 ing much. 



A little forethought will save hard work. 



I have already stated that I consider farming the most 

 promising business in which a young man can engage ; but 

 if he expects to get his living at it by his wits, and not by 

 his labor, he will find his stock in trade insufficient. If he 

 thinks of getting a dollar, as Horace Greeley said, " short of 

 fairly and squarely earning it," he may some day read in the 

 papers, under the head of business embarrassments, some- 

 thing like the following : — 



" Failed, John Blank, farmer. Liabilities, $7,000. Debts 

 secured, $250 ; unsecured, $6,750. Assets nominal." 



I know it is objected that farm-labor is exhausting : that 

 depends. Doubtless many farmers do work harder than 

 they should, and so others may. Please name the occupa- 

 tions, either of mind or body, at which a man can not or 

 may not work to the extent of exhaustion. 



I came near omitting two matters which may have essen- 

 tially affected my whole life. I have used neither liquors 

 nor tobacco. Those who have used one or both may figure 

 out what I have saved thereby. 



It has been often charged, that, in farming especially, men 



