THE HUMAN BASIS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION III 



relations with one's neighbors depends more upon little things 

 than upon important matters. The cats, the dogs, the pigeons, 

 or the pet rabbits are more likely to cause trouble than the 

 horses or the cows. The laws and customs regulating the 

 farmer's rights and privileges with regard to these larger animals 

 are well established, whereas in the case of these smaller animals 

 property rights and restrictions on the freedom of these animals 

 are not so well established. Generosity in these matters is 

 essential to good relations with one's neighbors. It pays to 

 humor one's neighbors in all small matters. This done, the 

 larger relations are likely to be easily adjusted. 



Faithfulness to the interests of the farm is a quality which 

 makes the workman invaluable if he possesses the other neces- 

 sary qualifications. This requires that the workman put the 

 success of the farm, that is the doing of his work well and at the 

 right time, above his own personal desire for comfort and enter- 

 tainment. Hired managers are sometimes valueless, and often 

 worth much less than nothing. Unless the leader is faithful, 

 little can be expected of the other men. It sometimes happens 

 that farmers do not take their own farm work seriously. Such 

 farmers never command the respect of good workmen. 



Interest in one's work is essential to faithfulness, and makes it 

 easy. The time killer, the slipshod workman, the man of un- 

 even and uncertain pace, the man of irregular habits regarding 

 his eating, sleeping, and social activities, the man who likes to 

 sit down but hates to get up; the man who continually uses 

 intoxicating liquor ; or the man without hard muscles and a 

 clear mind has a difficult task before him even if he has a desire 

 to do the square thing, and tries to be faithful to the interests 

 of the farm. 



One should carry out faithfully the plan which has been de- 

 liberately decided upon. For example, there may be differ- 

 ences of opinion as to whether the corn should be checked or 

 drilled. The workman may desire to drill the corn, but the 

 manager may decide, after considering all the arguments for 

 and against drilling, to have the corn checked, especially be- 

 cause he fears the field cannot be kept clear of weeds unless it 



