THE FARMER'S ADVANTAGE. 87 



human labor, by a gratuitous agent, namely, a force of Nature, 

 cheapens the product. The only motive for the introduction of 

 machinery ever or anywhere is to make water, air or steam do 

 a part of our work. But we pay Nature absolutely nothing for 

 these her forces. Therefore man will not pay us for what costs 

 us nothing. Therefore the more machinery that is employed, 

 the cheaper so far forth will be the product. But from the very 

 nature of farming, machinery can never be employed in it to 

 anything like the same extent as in manufacturing ; because 

 the processes of farming are so varied and multiform, so depen- 

 dent on location and weather, so different in different circum- 

 stances, in one word, because while the processes of manufac- 

 turing are mechanical, the processes of agriculture are vital, 

 that is to say, have to do with life and growth. So far as machin- 

 ery can be employed on thef farm, it ought to be, of course, 

 and it will be under pressure of the same motive as leads to its 

 use in the mill ; but for the reasons just given it never can be 

 used to the same extent on the farm as in the mill ; and here 

 we find the first fundamental reason why farm products, whicii 

 are mainly created by human muscle, become more and more 

 valuable as compared with factory products, which are mainly 

 fabricated by the free forces of Nature brought to bear through 

 machinery. 



The second reason for this is, that division of labor cannot he 

 applied in agriculture as it is applied in manufactures. In tlie 

 factory, as a general rule, each person does one thing and noth- 

 ing else. The spinner spins, the weaver weaves, and the finisher 

 finishes. Division of labor cheapens productions ; l)ecause it 

 imparts dexterity, saves time and tools, leads to inventions, and 

 distributes the laborers according to their strength and skill, to 

 the processes according as they are more or less difficult. But 

 on a farm there can be comparatively little of the division of 

 labor. The same hand that holds the plough must sow the seed 

 and reap the grain. One man must be familiar with many proc- 

 esses. The farmer must pass from one thing to another con- 

 tinually. The old fellow whose conscience troubled him for not 

 paying for his newspaper illustrates this point very well, though 

 his verses are rather homely : — 



