MARKET DAYS. 329 



the sale of stock by these farmers, for the very obvious reason 

 that but little or no stock is raised by them. They are also 

 very inconveniently located, being at one extremity of the 

 State, and therefore can be attended by the larger part of the 

 farming population only at great expense. 



What, then, would be some of the benefits of regular fairs or 

 market days, established throughout the State, for the sale and 

 exchange of agricultural products — benefits that might reason- 

 ably be expected from them ? In the first place, they would 

 offer to every enterprising farmer in their neighborhood a home 

 market, or a market near at hand and easy of access. Studded 

 all over as Massachusetts is — especially on her eastern borders 

 —with cities and large towns and manufacturing villages, it 

 might be thought that the farmers are amply supplied with good 

 markets and at their very doors. To some extent this is indeed 

 true, but it is equally true that very many farmers — a majority 

 perhaps — are obliged to travel eight or twelve miles and some- 

 times more, in order to reach. their nearest market town. The 

 loss of time in thus travelling to and from market, and the 

 wear and tear of horse and vehicle, are no inconsiderable items 

 of expense to the farmer who is placed in this unfavorable 

 position in regard to markets. Suppose that he follows the 

 market weekly for two-thirds of the year, there are then thirty- 

 five days to be deducted from the working days of the year, and 

 if in the fall he goes to market two or more times in a week, 

 the number would be increased fully to fifty days, including the 

 occasional days in winter devoted to this object. 



But the establishing of regular market days in towns near to 

 these farmers, would prevent very materially tliis heavy loss of 

 time and the expense to which they are now subjected. If there 

 were twelve such market days in a year, that is, monthly 

 markets, where they would be sure of finding purchasers, they 

 would save the difference between twelve and fifty days of time, 

 which they then would have to spend on the farm in increasing 

 its productions, besides making a corresponding saving in the 

 service of horse and wagon. This saving to the farmer may 

 perhaps be more sensibly measured and appreciated, by con- 

 sidering what has been so justly stated by Henry C. Gary, in 

 the Plough, Loom and Anvil, for September, 1851, in respect 

 of labor. 



42 



