PROCEEDINGS OP THE WINTER MEETING. 91 



But, of course, sometimes they get so that they can't stay with you ; and 

 then have no armed neutrality, but a plain understanding, and then if 

 one doesn't care to stay, hunt up someone else. Sometimes I don't think 

 we manage those things quite as well as we might. 



What if we haven't the ability? Well, as a rule, a man stops hiring 

 and tries managing himself; but as a matter of fact, even though farming 

 is at a low ebb, if there isn't anything in hiring help there isn't anything 

 in farming. If I can't hire a man who can make me a dollar per day I 

 would better earn the dollar and have a sure thing. If I can hire one or 

 two men and make a little on their labor I would better have twenty if I 

 am able. Of course, we have to creep before we can walk, but in my 

 opinion a man who works steadily for a fixed purpose, and lives carefully, 

 can accomplish most of these things. 



It requires careful handling; and above all, treat labor as a commodity, 

 and good men, when they are working for you, and good girls, as your 

 equals. I understand that, in cities, society does not propose to take 

 hired girls into the family, as a member of the family; but on farms, it is 

 different. We do, we are plainer people, the requirements of society are 

 not so strong, the conditions are different, and they often are our neigh- 

 bors' girls who feel the necessity of going from their homes to earn a 

 little money, and they are our equals. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Rice: I think there is que point that ought to be emphasized, in 

 regard to young men and young ladies; and if we would encourage it, it 

 would make of them better men and women — and that is the habit of 

 saving money. It don't make any difference what amount you are work- 

 ing for, it is better to wear cheap clothes and save up a little money. 

 I know that a boy feels better when he has |5 laid away than when he 

 hasn't a cent, and it is better to lay it away than to spend it on tobacco 

 or candy or anything like that. The indulging of the appetite in these 

 little things leads right on to drunkenness. 



Mr. Morrill: O, let them eat candy! 



Mr. Rice: Let them indulge in these things a little, once in a while, 

 but when one can't pass a candy store, by and by he won't pass a saloon. 

 Then go on and save, and when a boy has a hundred dollars he will begin 

 to straighten up and he will do his work better. Don't read trash; read 

 good books, go to church, be respectable in every way. 



Mr. Morrill: Let them be boys and girls while they can. They are 

 never going to see as much fun again, and a certain amount of fun is 

 necessary. The idea of giving advice is all right, give them all you wish 

 to; but I want to see a young man have a good time, within legitimate 

 bounds; and if he does spend a little money seeing the world and rubbing 

 against people, it is all right if it is legitimate. I wouldn't give a cent for 

 a boy who wouldn't take a girl somewhere and treat her as nicely as his 

 means would permit. I wouldn't have such a boy around. I don't believe 

 a man can be fairly " squared up " and rounded out if he doesn't have 

 some amusement. Let him keep within his means. He will sober down 



