728 PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. Part III. 



ness of the first class, and it is in general better to select them from the families of the 

 married servants, by which means their conduct and conversation is observable by their 

 parents and relations. A skilful dairymaid is a most valuable servant, and it is well 

 when the cattle-keeper is her husband ; both may live in the farmer's house (provided 

 they have no children), and the man may act as groom to the master's horse and chaise, 

 and assist in brewing, butchery, &c. In the cheese districts, men often milk the cows 

 and manage the whole process of the dairy ; but females are surely much better calcu- 

 lated for a business of so domestic a nature, and where so much depends on cleanliness. 



4505. Farmers' apprentices are not common, but parish boys are so disposed of in 

 some parts of the west of England, and might be so generally. They are said to make 

 the best and steadiest servants ; and indeed, the remaining in one situation, and under 

 one good master for a fixed period, say not less than three years, must have a great 

 tendency to fix the character and morals of youth in every line or condition of life. 



4506. Apprentices intended for farmers are generally young men who have received a 

 tolerable education beforehand, and have attained to manhood or nearly so. These pay 

 a premium, and are regularly instructed in the operations of farming. We have al- 

 ready alluded to the example of Walker, who considers such apprentices, notwithstanding 

 the care required to instruct them, rather useful than otherwise. (^Ilusb. of Scot. vol. ii. 

 p. 106.) 



4507. To train ploughmen to habits of activity and diligence is of great importance. 

 In some districts they are proverbial for the slowness of their step, which they teach 

 their horses, whereas these animals, if accustomed to it, would move with as much ease 

 to themselves, in a quick, as in a slow pace. Hence their ploughs seldom go above two 

 miles in an hour, and sometimes even less; whereas where the soil is light and sandy, 

 they might go at the rate of three miles and a half. Farmers are greater sufferers than 

 they imagine, by this habitual indolence of their workmen, which extends from the 

 plough to all their other employments, for it makes a very important difference in the 

 expense of labor. Where the land however is stiff, and deep ploughing is necessary, the 

 operation ought not to be too much hurried. (^Code.) 



Chap. IV. 

 Of the general Management of a Farm. 



4508. The importance of an orderly systematic mode of managing every concern is 

 isudicientiy obvious. The points which chiefly demand a farmer's attention are the ac- 

 counts of money transactions, the management of servants, and the regulation of labors. 



Sect. I. Of keejnng Accounts. 



4509. It is a maxim of the Dutch, that " no one is ever ruined who keeps good aC' 

 counts," which are said, in The Code of Agriculture, to be not so common among farmers 

 as they ought to be ; persons employed in other professions being generally much more 

 attentive and correct. Among gentlemen farmers there is often a systematic regularity 

 in all their proceedings, and their pages of debtor and creditor, of expense and profits 

 are as strictly kept As those of any banking-house in the metropolis. But with the gene- 

 rality of farmers, the case is widely different. It rarely happens, that books are kept by 

 them in a minute and regular manner ; and the accounts of a farmer, occupying even 

 k large estate, and tonsequently employing a great capital, are seldom deemed of suf- 

 ficient importance to merit a share of attention, equal to that bestowed by a tradesman^ 

 on a concern of not one-twentieth part of the value. There is certainly some difficulty 

 in keeping accurate accounts respecting the profit and loss of so uncertain and compli- 

 cated a business as the one carried on by the farmer, which depends so much on the 

 weather, the state of the markets, and other circumstances not under his control ; but the 

 great bulk of farming transactions is settled at the moment, that is to say, the article is 

 delivered, and thfe money instantly paid, so that little more is necessary than to record 

 these properly. In regard to the expenses laid out on the farm, an accurate account 

 of them is perfectly practicable, and ought to be regularly attended to by every prudent 

 and industrious occupier. By examining these, a farmer is enabled to ascertain the 

 nature and the extent of the expense he has incurred, in the various operations of agri- 

 tulture ; and to discover what particular measures, or what general system, contributes 

 to profit, or occasions loss. The principle of economy may thus be introduced into the 

 management of a farm, and the lessening of expense effected, which is every day be- 

 coming of greater importance, as bearing a higher proportion to the produce of the farm. 



4510. To record pecuniary transactions is not the only object to be attended to in the! 

 accounts of a farmer. It is necessary to have an annual account of the live stock, and 



