310 NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



regards these as indispensable requisites to success, without 

 which it were not only vain to expect any gainful returns for 

 his investment, but absolutely certain that loss and ruin will 

 ensue. The changes of the tariff and the fluctuations in the 

 market, do, of course, materially affect the property and pros- 

 pects of the manufacturer ; and the same reverses will equally 

 affect the business of the farmer. In both are the same pre- 

 requisites to success absolutely essential. 



Now it is obvious, we think, that the occupation of the far- 

 mer is, too generally, pursued with much less thoughtful cal- 

 culation and vigilant care — much less systematic industry and 

 skill — than is common in the business of the manufacturer. 

 Of course, the profits of the former must be, proportionally, 

 smaller than those of the latter. 



We wish to see this disparity between these different modes 

 of business, both in their operations and results, removed. We 

 would propose some remedy for the evil, as it now exists ; 

 though we are aware that this remedy will be only a partial 

 one. We would improve and elevate the character and qualifi- 

 cations of agricultural laborers, by suitable encouragements and 

 rewards. 



The subject is one of great interest, and we feel that it pre- 

 sents many difficulties ; and in offering the suggestions which 

 have occurred to our minds, we desire, chiefly, to excite the at- 

 tention and engage the counsel and cooperation of the whole 

 agricultural community, with reference to it. 



In the progress of events in our country, the relative posi- 

 tion of the employer and the employed has been essentially 

 changed ; and this change is nowhere more distinctly seen 

 than amongst the farmers of New England. The laborer is ac- 

 customed, here, to feel himself independent of, and superior to, 

 the authority and dictation of his employer. He gives his ser- 

 vice only at will, or for a limited season — a season, too, which 

 may be cut short, at any moment, by his own caprice, or by 

 causeless dissatisfaction, though it be to the manifest and great 

 injury of his employer. The evil is further increased, we appre- 

 hend, by the unexampled introduction of foreign labor into our 

 midst. This labor is, in many cases, of the best kind, and 



