1 8 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 



self and his family, in accordance with a high standard of com- 

 fort, and right relations in the community, will give purpose 

 and force to the primary economic motive and hold it in its 

 right position as a means to an end, but not as an end in itself. 

 With the passing years, and the accompanying accumulation 

 of wealth, the primary motives weaken, and the higher motives 

 come more and more to dominate. Without the desire to render 

 service to others, there is danger that the latter part of a man's 

 life may be wasted ; but with this motive ever strengthening, 

 man may continue action. 



The hired man may well have the motive of economic gain to 

 stimulate him to earn and accumulate wealth and to strive to 

 improve his ability in order that he may climb to the position of 

 a tenant farmer, where he can safely assume the responsibility 

 of a family. For the tenant farmer, to achieve a comfortable 

 living and accumulate funds with which to buy a farm, and 

 to be well thought of in his community, is a praiseworthy 

 ideal. Later the education of the family and the improvement 

 of the farm should be supplemented with some community 

 service. The critical moment comes when the farm is improved 

 and paid for. Unless the higher ideal of service to others 

 comes into the foreground, there is danger of inactivity just at 

 the time when the farmer has the capital to farm in the proper 

 manner, and just at the time when he is most worth while as 

 a community leader, both in economic, social, and educational 

 work. 



Stimulating the higher motives. Much can be done to 

 stimulate in men the desire to be of service to their fellow men 

 by farming well and living in right relations with their com- 

 munity. The " Honorary Recognition " given to farmers by 

 the University of Wisconsin for unusual service in some branch 

 of agricultural or country life work is intended to stimulate 

 the higher motives in others. The Pennsylvania Railroad 

 Company publishes a leaflet entitled " Information for Em- 

 ployees and the Public " which stimulates the higher motives 

 of the men in its employ. The pictures and life sketches of 

 the men who have been trustworthy and public-spirited in 



