72 HOW TO GET A FARM, 



few acres, must necessarily be absorbed by the support of a 

 family, while the young farm-laborer should, and generally 

 does, remain without a family until he is able to purchase 

 a farm and see his way clear to pay for it. While working 

 out, it is not convenient to have a family, but almost indis 

 pensable when working a farm upon shares. F. says that 

 when a farm is to be let on shares in his section, six or eight 

 applicants appear, to improve the opportunity ; and why is 

 it so ? The reason is obvious. Having commenced in this 

 way, they do not rise above it. They can support their 

 families, and that is all they can do, while the single man, 

 at work for wages, is placing his hundreds at interest. 



&quot; It is not in good taste for a man to say much about 

 himself, but if your readers will pardon the egotism, I will 

 relate, briefly as possible, a sketch of personal experience. 

 The writer remembers well, when a young lad, of listening 

 to the stories of several farmers, most of whom he was in 

 the habit of drawing out by questioning and inquiries, as 

 to how they commenced life, and how they obtained so 

 much property, etc. A rebuff from no one of them for 

 being an impertinent boy was ever experienced, believing 

 now that they deemed his object to be something more and 

 better than an idle curiosity. The information obtained in 

 this way served as an exciting purpose with the young in 

 quirer to stimulate his ambition to do likewise, and become, 

 like them, a man among men of independent means. He 

 pursued the same course that he now recommends to others. 

 Working out upon the farm was the beginning ; the most 

 untiring application and persistent industry for thirty years, 

 has brought results beyond his most sanguine expectations, 

 and he has no cause to regret his early determined resolu 

 tion. 



&quot; Why is this farm-work for hire so much to be dreaded ? 

 It is frequently the case that the hired man, though in one 



