322 Time of Entry on Farms. 



Experienced Friend. — Under all these difficulties let the young 

 farmer get an experienced and elder friend to make his arrange- 

 ments for him — at least to be behind the curtain in consultation 

 with him on the occasion of this his first independent start in 

 life. The novice is apt to be shy, and give way in bargaining 

 lest he be considered mean and covetous (an infirmity of which 

 the man of the world too well knows how to take advantage) : 

 and although, were he acting ^or another under like circumstances, 

 he would not scruple, nay rather be proud, to fight that battle 

 for the right which unhappily lies mostly on contested ground ; 

 in the case of his own affairs he is apt to be timid, and so 

 " finds too late that men betray." For the rough work then of 

 starting, let the young farmer commission some experienced friend, 

 and wait with calm mind for the result. 



Caution. — The young farmer is too often hasty and eager, 

 and there are too many outgoing tenants, as well as land- 

 lords, who will nail an incautious engagement or unguarded 

 word. To *' keep your own council " is safe policy. There is 

 never any good done, but often much mischief, to your plans by 

 blabbing ere you carry them into execution. You are at least 

 certain of being tormented by the unsolicited opposition and 

 advice of a dozen busybodies, who watch you but to canvass and 

 criticise your proceedings when j-our back is turned. Such, 

 being professed gossips, will shrink away gradually from a 

 demeanour of studied reserve ; so that you will have the satisfac- 

 tion of developing your own undertaking in its bloom. Half the 

 credit of life has its clue in this policy. What a cutting censure 

 on such people was the designation of " the bigot's hole," given 

 by Sir J. Conroy to an open box upon a drain in one of his 

 fields which he was held to ridicule for draining too deeply, 

 through which the water might be seen pouring at any moment. 



Jud(jment. — General good judgment is required in farming, as 

 indeed in all other pursuits and professions wherein a man would 

 attain to eminence and wealth ; and this is shown chiefly in 

 the doing the right thing at the right time, and the having the 

 right man in the right place. For instance, it would be wasteful 

 to employ your men in cutting firewood or breaking stones for 

 the repairs of the farm roads on a dry fine day when the swedes 

 required drawing, or the wheat-field was shedding its seed. 



Forethought. — Again, you should be always looking ahead, or 

 rather, as a celebrated elocutionist used to teach his pupils — 

 " Keep one eye on the passage before jou, and one upon the 

 future." 



Look out Yourself. — Never leave any important provision to be 

 made by your men. It is no more their place to be concerned 

 about that branch of the farm duties than it is expected oi the 



