ii6 An American Fruit-Farm 



secure labor. It may not be, it usually is not, 

 skilled, or even experienced labor, but the art 

 is soon learned. Transportation of the laborers 

 must be provided ; they expect to be carried to and 

 from their homes to their work. If this is not pro- 

 vided, they straggle in at all hours and the work 

 is delayed. Transportation means teams and 

 wagons, drivers and expense. The fruit-farm may 

 house the laborers during the season, as of berries, 

 cherries, grapes, or peaches. This means conven- 

 iences for bed and board and social and moral 

 responsibilities. If the fruit-farm is favorably 

 located for a supply of labor, it has not only in- 

 dependence but additional monetary value. Its 

 owner may the more insist on skill, conduct, 

 promptness, which otherwise he could not hint at, 

 save at the risk of suddenly losing his help. There- 

 fore in selecting a site for a fruit-farm, primary 

 attention should be given to the problem of the 

 supply of labor. On the well-managed farm the 

 same workers find employment year after year. 

 They are treated fairly and generously and, if 

 honest and square, will take a deeper interest in 

 the farm as a permanent source of income. It is 

 transitory help that costs most and is least produc- 

 tive. The ideal fruit-farm has its clientele of help 

 which accounts it a steady asset. There is mutu- 

 ality of interest between fruit-grower and fruit- 

 worker. 



Here may be realized the wisdom of fair, open, 

 just, generous dealing, — ^not of course wasteful. 



