FARM LABOR 871 



men who have been farm laborers for a number of years, and who, because 

 of their inability to direct their own efforts satisfactorily, have been unable 

 to farm for themselves. Such men require careful direction, but are 

 generally faithful and reliable. The hobo class is the least desirable. 

 They find employment for short periods of time in busy seasons, and 

 frequently do satisfactory work for a short time. Such men are restless 

 and never satisfied to remain long in one locality. Furthermore, they are 

 not dependable. 



Permanency of Employment. — The satisfactory workman attaches 

 much importance to the certainty of employment. This is especially 

 true of all workmen who have families dependent upon them. In this fact 

 lies the weakness of the farm opportunities for labor. In many instances a 

 farmer wishes to employ labor for only a portion of the year. The keen 

 competition for labor in other industries makes it essential for the farmer to 

 so plan his business that he can employ labor continuously and at a wage 

 which, including perquisites and opportunities, will be equal to that in 

 other industries. 



Permanency of employment applies not only to the year, but also to 

 the duties of each day. Some farmers manage so badly that men are idle 

 during a portion of many days. The farm laborer, if paid regardless of 

 whether working or not, ordinarily will not object, but good workmen 

 generally prefer to have their time during working hours fully employed. 

 A good farm laborer, who left the farmer for whom he was working and 

 engaged with another having the reputation of being strict, made this 

 explanation: "Jones is a mighty nice fellow to visit with, but he has no 

 management about his work. He put me at easy jobs that did not pay for 

 doing. I suppose I ought not to kick so long as I got my pay, but I could 

 not bear to see work so mismanaged, and I was afraid I would get so easy 

 going that I would fall into bad habits and do my own work slack when I 

 got on the farm I hope to buy some day. Sands keeps me hopping, but 

 every lick of work counts, and when bedtime comes I can see I have accom- 

 plished something." 



Management of Men. — The management of farm laborers depends 

 largely on the character of the employees, but to some extent upon the 

 nature of the work and the number employed. It is always best to hire 

 with a definite understanding. A written agreement is desirable when 

 hiring by the year. In any event, it is always a good plan to have a witness 

 to the agreement, whether it be written or oral. Such an agreement should 

 state the wages to be paid, the dates of payment and the time to be covered. 

 It is also well to specify the character of duties of the employee and the 

 obligations of the employer. If privileges are granted, such as keeping a 

 horse, storing a buggy or furnishing a driving horse occasionally, it is well 

 to have this understood at the outset. 



The successful employer will assign certain chores and more or less 

 definite procedure for the direction of his employees. With the more 



