CHAPTER FOUR 



Farm Drudgery: A Myth 



I HAVE discussed the operation of Medlock 

 Farm with many of those who yearn to go and 

 do likewise. Long before we get to definite plans 

 the objection invariably arises that it is all very 

 well for me I am my own boss: for me, within 

 rational limits, time is no object nor obstacle, 

 but for anyone dependent on a job the whole 

 scheme is hopelessly unattainable. It is true I am 

 master of my own time: which merely means in- 

 stead of having someone else tell me where to be 

 and what to do I have to tell myself. However, 

 that is another matter. The point here is that my 

 kind of farming can be done whether one is mas- 

 ter of his own time or not. 



It would be perfectly possible for me to do 

 all my own farm work with no extra help beyond 

 the necessary contract labor done with teams or 

 tractors and heavy machinery. I do not do it be- 

 cause there are other things I would rather do; 

 and because it would prevent my secondary ob- 

 jective: keeping on my hired man. 



A normally active and intelligent man or 

 40 



