28 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



came, I engaged him, with the understanding 

 that his time should begin at once. 



The wage agreed upon was $20 a month for 

 the first half-year. If he proved satisfactory, he 

 was to receive $21 a month for the next six 

 months, and there was to be a raise of $1 a 

 month for each half-year that he remained with 

 me until his monthly wage should amount to 

 $40, each to give or take a month's notice to 

 quit. This seemed fair to both. I would not 

 pay more than $20 a month to an untried man, 

 but a good man is worth more. As I wanted 

 permanent, steady help, I proposed to offer a fair 

 bonus to secure it. Other things being equal, the 

 man who has " gotten the hang " of a farm can 

 do better work and get better results than a 

 stranger. 



The transient farm-hand is a delusion and a 

 snare. He has no interest except his wages, and 

 he is a breeder of discontent. If the hundreds 

 of thousands of able-bodied men who are work- 

 ing for scant wages in cities, or inanely tramping 

 the country, could see the dignity of the labor 

 which is directly productive, what a change 

 would come over the face of the country ! There 

 are nearly six million farms in this nation, and 

 four millions of them would be greatly benefited 

 by the addition of another man to the working 

 force. There is a comfortable living and a mini- 

 mum of $180 a year for each of four million men, 

 if they will only seek it and honestly earn it. 



