How to 

 learn. 



Practical 

 Experi- 

 6X1 ce. 



Nature of 

 Work. 



Indepen- 

 dence. 



and economically, it is not desired to suggest change to such as 

 have already settled occupations here, or to cause the slightest 

 feeling of disappointment to those who go out through any 

 highly-coloured representations of the life. 



Experience has shown that the best and proper way to 

 start farming is by learning the business thoroughly at the 

 outset in the manner here suggested, and without the aid of 

 capital. Capital is of little or no use without experience, 

 or, at any rate, a fair knowledge of farming. Of course, 

 ichere capital is wanting, progress will be much slower at first ; 

 but whilst on the one hand there are many who have started 

 without money and are yet prosperous, there are many more, 

 especially among the English, who, after beginning farming 

 with considerable capital, have lost it for lack of industry 

 and experience. 



The course here recommended is, that the learner should 

 go out with a ^iew to live and work precisely as the farmers 

 themselves, their sons, and their men do, because the proper 

 plan for any one who intends to engage in farming is tirst to 

 acquire this practical knowledge and experience, even if he 

 have, or should hereafter have, the command of capital ; and 

 it is the only way in which those starting without capital, or 

 with only a moderate amount, can become successful. 



As to the work to be learned, it is the custom for farmers, 

 especially in Canada and the Western States, to do the 

 work themselves with but little hired help, and to rely on 

 themselves and their sons in the winter months ; and it is 

 necessary, therefore, for a pupil not to be above learning 

 to use his hands. Personal labour is not considered in the 

 least derogatory in America, but is regarded as a title to 

 social respect ; and as hired labour is generally expensive, 

 especially at busy seasons of the year, such as harvest, it is 

 customary for a farmer to exchange work with his neigh- 

 bour ; the new settler, therefore, stands at a disadvantage 

 if, through being unable or unwilling to work, he is com- 

 pelled to hire labour, or if his two days' time are only worth 

 his neighbour's one day. 



Those, therefore, who do not propose to learn farming 

 by actively helping with the daily work, but wish to idle 

 about towns, or only to ride about and overlook others, are 



