THE FARMER'S HOME. 19 



or how to be obtained and planted; all this would be tedious 

 and lengthy. Books and periodicals abound with advice, some 

 of which is good, and professed gardeners are abroad, wlio may- 

 be of service ; but every improver must think and act for himself. 

 His own good sense, observation, skill -and general experience 

 must be his guide. Labor and expense will, of course, attend 

 the operations of improving and planting, and here are met the 

 great objections of the farmer. 



It is a very common idea that agriculturists are a hard-work- 

 ing, constantly employed class of people. This has not been 

 our observation. There are often periods, at the gathering of 

 important crops, when he is obliged to be wide awake ; but he 

 generally takes things leisurely. He is called the most inde- 

 pendent man among us. The logy gate of his horse as he 

 comes to town, or the slow manner in which he converses, is an 

 index of the moderate pace at which every thing progresses at 

 home, on the farm. Not only so, but he is not a close calculator, 

 or economizer of time. Were the hours condensed in which he 

 actually labors to advantage, even at a slow rate, they would 

 seldom average more than the ten hour system. There are 

 many exceptions to this among those who are bound to be rich 

 and to excel in improvements, or who have other employments 

 to occupy a portion of their time. 



Individuals engaged in manufacturing or mechanical pursuits, 

 are generally at work earlier, take less time at meals, and move 

 more rapidly to and fro. Let the farmer only decide to take 

 hold of the few modifications we have suggested and he will 

 assuredly find time to attend to them by degrees, and they will 

 serve to stimulate him to greater activity — increased enjoyment 

 and more self-respect. He will cease complaining at his lot — 

 himself and family will be more industrious, contented and 

 happy. Employment of some kind, being essential to happiness, 

 the home-loving and home-improving may here find enough for 

 their health and amusement. 



We admit, however, there is with the farmer one insurmount- 

 able obstacle to any great improvement of his premises or con- 

 dition, without a fundamental change. We are not alone in the 

 opinion that the majority of farmers own too much land for the 

 most successful and profitable cultivation, and yet there is much 

 truth and pith in the remark, that they would add thereto, all 



