186 STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTUKE. 



The question very naturally arises, if this principle has done so much for other 

 occu|iations, and benefited agriculture wherever its influence has been felt, will 

 not its increased application, keeping a laborer constantly employed at the same 

 work, be attended with the skill, economy, and general advancement that has 

 hitherto accompanied it? Unfortunately agriculture presents difficulties to the 

 successful application of this ]3rinciple not found in any other occupation : 



1st. The climatic conditions : the succession of seasons, the changes of 

 weather, all tend to render it impossible for the same work to be constantly 

 pursued. A farmer can not engage in the same kind of labor in the spring 

 and autumn. He can not reap in January, nor would he find it comfortable to 

 cut wood in August. 



2d. The peculiarities of vegetable growth, demanding a succession of plowing, 

 harrowing, cultivating, seeding, and harvesting, present another barrier to the 

 aj^plication of our principle. 



3d. The condition of fertility demands rotation of crops, and therefore divides 

 the farmer's attention and lalaor among several crops, increasing thereby the 

 varieties of farm labor, as each crop requires certain different operations. 



4th. The more capital farmers emjiloy, tlio more removed are they from 

 others by their enlarged farms, and separation in space fosters separation of 

 interests, rendering difficult any plan of cooperation. 



Besides these natural obstacles, there are obstacles arising from the faulty 

 practices of farmers. The custom of exchanging employes every time one can 

 be obtained at lower wages than the present one, is pernicious, so far as the 

 application of our principle is concerned. Every farm is peculiar in the arrange- 

 ment of its fields and buildings, and it is several days before the new employe is 

 accustomed to them. Each farmer wishes his work done in a certain peculiar 

 manner, and months elapse before his employe can suit him in these resijects. 

 Another faulty practice, is that of varying the products of the farm wdth the 

 price of each commodity. Wheat, corn, or barley, is alternately the staple 

 product, according as its price predominates. To say nothing of the usual waste 

 by changing the form of capital, the custom presents, as may be readily seen, 

 necessities for a change of work Avith each change of products, and hence offers 

 opposition to the application of our principle. 



Let us see if some plan can be adopted by which some or all of these diffi- 

 culties may be avoided or obviated, and division of labor promoted. A good 

 system of drainage would obviate the difficulties on account of climatic changes, 

 as it renders tlie soil dry, and nearly always in a good condition, thereby render- 

 ing necessary but little cessation of labor on account of unfavorable weather. 

 That rotation of crops most favorable to division of labor should be chosen. 

 Numerous. farm societies and frequent meetings of farmers will develop the 

 social element, render cooperation possible, and obviate the disadvantages from 

 isolation of space. 



When you are suited with an employe you should kcej^ him, even at increased 

 wages. He knows the arrangements of your farm, can manage well your team, 

 has accustomed himself to your peculiar machinery and management. You 

 can tell him what to do and he understands you, for he knows your peculiarities. 

 AVhen you get a new employe you must spend several days showing him around 

 the farm, and for months you are annoyed by blunders which your old hand 

 did not make. No reduction of wages less than five or six dollars per month 

 should induce you to change employes, if economy alone be your object. 



Earmers should adopt a system of farming, refrain from those expensive 



