Row the Eastern Farmer Has Fared. 131 



$62. Ample evidence this that most all the work was 

 done by the farmer and his hoys. Only occasionally in 

 seed-time and harvest does the average farmer hire help. 

 What, then, is the average farmer but one of Mr. Walk- 

 er's ''small farmers," whose income '4s not half that of 

 average mechanics," with the exception he notes! What 

 stronger backing can be asked for the above comparison 

 of the farmer's family earnings with that of the work- 

 man's family! 



Will any one claim that the average wage-earner is 

 entitled to receive more for his efforts than the average 

 farmer for his! We affirm that the ability and educa- 

 tion required to carry on a farm greatly exceed those 

 necessary to perform the duties of the average wage- 

 earner. Let us see. The farmer unites in his person the 

 office of laborer and business manager. As a laborer he 

 must know how to use at least fairly well the many tools 

 and machines required for planting, caring for and har- 

 vesting a variety of crops. He must know not only how 

 to hold plow, run a planting or sowing machine, drive a 

 mowing machine, but have considerable skill in the use 

 of carpenter's tools so as to be able to make any repairs 

 of farm machines and buildings. Besides in many cases 

 he must be able to milk the cows and drive horses. As a 

 business manager, he must know when to put in the vari- 

 ous crops, and how to care for them; and later, when 

 and how to harvest, and when and where to dispose of 

 them to the best advantage. To do this successfully 

 requires much experience and good judgment. Besides, 

 he has general oversight over everything done, and over 

 all property. This usually includes the care of horses, 

 often of cows; in the latter case he must attend to the 

 sale of the milk. These are far from being all his duties. 



