THE YOUNG FARMER 



THE RELATION OF THE FARMER TO HIS 

 WORKMEN 



The requirements of a valid contract, as 

 previously stated, control most of the rela- 

 tions which the employer has with his em- 

 ployees. Contracts for labor, unless for 

 more than one year, need not be in writing. 

 If, however, the service to be rendered is 

 unusual, the agreement should be reduced to 

 writing, because, in the absence of specific 

 agreement, the law assumes that customary 

 service and wages are implied. 



Like all other employers of labor the 

 farmer is under obligation to protect his 

 workman from injury. He must not sub- 

 ject them to unusual and unreasonable risks. 

 He must hire workmen suited to the em- 

 ployment. For example, if he employs a 

 young boy to drive a fractious horse, he 

 would be liable for any injury that might 

 occur. In like manner, he must exercise 

 proper care concerning the safety of the 

 machinery placed in the hands of his work- 

 men. He must keep his premises in a safe 

 246 



