4C2 



XEW ENGLAND FARiMER. 



Oct. 



we think, appear too large. This fault is 

 noticeable in many cuts of animals made from 

 photographs. Otherwise, we consider it as a 

 good representation of the high-bred English 

 Cotswold sheep. 



For the Xeiv England Farmer. 

 MENTAL LAZINESS. 

 Your Charlotte correspondent, "Uncle 

 John," makes some decided hits in his article 

 ♦'Brains in Farming, Ko. 2." I believe the 

 Vermont farmers have more brains than they 

 are willing to use. It requires an effort to 

 ihinJc; and any continued application of the 

 mind in one direction seems irksome to many 

 who possess naturally strong minds They 

 fall into the habit of vague, sleepy half-think- 

 ing, and acquire a kind of mental laziness, 

 which militates against all subsequent mental 

 culture. 



This state of mind is induced, in part, by 

 over physical exertion at some seasons of the 

 year when crops need especial care, and should 

 be carefully guarded against by all who desire 

 to improve their minds, their farms, or their 

 stock. 



This state of feeling is indicated by the thin 

 attendance at the farmers' clubs, the empty 

 halls, when a lecture upon agriculture is an- 

 nounced, and the apparent indifference of 

 farmers at the evening discussions at the 

 county and State fairs. It was particularly 

 noticeable at our State fair at Burlington, last 

 fall. A programme for the discussions on 

 each of the three evenings during the fair was 

 carefully prepared, printed, and circulated 

 months before the fair. Speakers were ap- 

 pointed to write essays and open the discus- 

 sions, who, it was fair to suppose, would inves- 

 tigate the several subjects assigned to them, and 

 be prepared to present their views in an inter- 

 esting manner. A general discussion was to 

 follow, by all who pleased to take a part. 

 The plan was good, and should have been car- 

 ried out to the letter. 



But among the thousands of farmers from 

 all parts of the State, who were present at the 

 fair, very few found It convenient to attend 

 these discussions ; while the City Ilall was 

 packed to its utmost capacity to witness a 

 second-rate theatrical performance, and the 

 tent of a smooth-tongued "horae-tamer" was 

 equally well filled. 



The subject announced in the programme 

 for discussion on the last evening, was "Ma- 

 nures," and the speaker to open it one of the 

 Professors in our Agricultural College. A 

 good house was confidently expected. In- 

 stead of a full house of interested farmers, 

 eager to listen to a learned Professor, on an 

 important subject, which he had, no doubt, 

 thoroughly investigated, only about thirty, all 

 told, were present. Late in the evening, it 



was announced that the Professor was un- 

 well (.'*) and would not be in. I fancied, at 

 tbe time, that a crowded hall awaiting the es- 

 say would have recovered the Professor, to 

 our edification. 



If the farmers of Vermont would be bene- 

 fited by our Agricultural College, they must 

 put themselves in a position to receive its in- 

 struction. Grants of land or money, stately 

 buildings and learned Professors of Agricul- 

 ture will avail nothing, if the farmers hold 

 themselves aloof, and from pride, prejudice, 

 indifference, or any other cause, neglect to 

 receive the knowledge within their reach. 



J. R. AV. 



Springfield, Vt., July 20. 18G9. 



For the New England Farmer, 

 LABOR. 



The question of labor never occupied so 

 much thought among all classes of men as at 

 the present day. The most exalted and the 

 humblest are anxiously considering its rela- 

 tions to themselves and others. That most of 

 the attention it is receiving grows out of the 

 selfish desire to reap in some way the greatest 

 profit from it, does not admit of a doubt. At 

 the same time, there are many that would be 

 glad to bring out some equitable method 

 whereby employer and employed could meet 

 on common ground, and be mutually satisfied 

 with what the one is paying and the other re- 

 ceiving. 



I huve small faith that such a panacea will 

 ever be found, but expect that, as a rule, we 

 are to jog on much as we have done for gen- 

 erations past ; with perhaps this difference,— 

 that as education becomes more generally dif- 

 fused among the working classes, co-operative 

 associations among them for carrjing on their 

 particular line of business will be more com- 

 mon. Aside from this, it seems quite evident 

 that we must have men with means to employ 

 those who have none ; and tbat these parties 

 must in some way come to terms with each 

 other, by which the man of means may accom- 

 p!i.-.h his plans, and the laborer obtain his ne- 

 cessaries of life. 



It has been more difficult for some years 

 past to harmonize the interests of the two 

 classes than it was twenty years ago. Many 

 reasons for this will present themselves to 

 those who have been accustomed to observe 

 passing events. Two or three of these I re- 

 gard as the main sources of the whole of the 

 trouble that has been experienced. 



The first is, the great demand for labor. 

 None can deny that the demand has been such 

 that no man need be out of emplo) ment but 

 a brief time, before having a call at a remu- 

 nerative price for his work. This pressing 

 demand for labor has led to most alarming 

 effects upon the quality of common labor. I 

 i have been astonished at witnessing the want 



