NORFOLK SOCIETY. 313 



too small if applied to this whole county; because both the 

 number of farms, and of laborers employed on them, would be 

 much greater in many of the towns. We are disposed to be- 

 lieve, upon a somewhat close calculation, that the actual loss to 

 the farmers in this county, by causes to which we have re- 

 ferred, will exceed ffhj thousand dollars, anmially. This 

 amount will appear to be of greater significance, when it is con- 

 sidered how very small are the yearly profits of most farms, 

 and how important must be even the most trivial saving which 

 can be made, where the whole income must be, at best, very 

 little. 



In making the general estimate we have here presented, we 

 have not forgotten that its application must be limited, also, in 

 another way. We have not forgotten that there are laborers 

 employed in our county, as elsewhere, who are altogether ex- 

 empt from the charge of such deficiencies, and such blame- 

 worthy practises, as we have alluded to. We would willingly 

 bear testimony to the exemplary character and capability of 

 such laborers. And it is our earnest desire that their number 

 may be enlarged. It is the special purpose of the investiga- 

 tions, and the report of your committee, to present to this soci- 

 ety, some plan of action for the encouragement and multiplica- 

 tion of such laborers throughout this county and our Common- 

 wealth. 



Your committee, after much deliberation, have unanimously 

 decided to recommend the following plan, together with some 

 accompanying suggestions, for the adoption of this society, in 

 completing a list of premiums to be offered for the ensuing 

 year. 



We recommend the offer of six premiums — of the value of 

 $25, $20, $15, $12, $10, and $8 — to young men, who shall 

 have been in the employment of any member of this society, 

 for a period of not less than six months, from April 1, 1851. 

 These premiums to be awarded ordy on compliance with the 

 following conditions : — 



Each applicant for a premium shall present the testimony of 

 his employer, that he has been faithful. indusi?%us, temperate, 

 and respcctfid., during the whole period of his engagement. 

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