222 AGRICULTURE ON THE RHINE. 



especially the case in Baden, where there is a verj 

 wealthy peasantry. As, however, the population in- 

 creases faster than the profits in agriculture can follow, 

 there is no j)rospect for any country that depends solely 

 on agriculture but that of increasing poverty ; and it is 

 clearly to be wished for our Rhenish neighbours that 

 other sources of employment could spring up with the 

 growth of their active youths and maidens. They will 

 certainly be gainers when they cease to measure the 

 respect to which a man is entitled exclusively by the 

 broad acres that he happens to possess, and begin to cal- 

 culate the various other sources of wealth that are placed 

 by a benignant Providence at their command. We 

 mentioned in a former chapter, that various contracts on 

 joint account for the keep of cattle occur in the Rhenish 

 districts. Occasionally a cow is kept by the owner of a 

 stable for the milk and one of the first two calves that 

 fall. The following is a contract made between Count 

 Gorlitz, of Schlitz, in the grand Duchy of Hesse, and his 

 head shepherd. The entire management of the flocks 

 is left to him, and three men are given to him as assist- 

 ants, who have the right of grazing — the first 25 sheep, 

 the second 20 sheep, the third 15 sheep, with their lambs. 

 The head shepherd receives wheat, rye, barley, peas, len- 

 tils, and fire- wood, delivered at his house, and spirits occa- 

 sionally. He has, besides, five beds for potatoes, one for 

 cabbages, two for flax, a small garden, and a cow. From the 

 flocks he receives three-fourths of the profits as his share ; 

 and if this share does not bring him the sum of ISOflorins 

 or 15/., he is guaranteed a money payment of 2/. to make 

 good the deficiency. By this arrangement, his attention 

 to the improvement of the flock is secured. The shepherd 



