250 THE FARMER AS A COOI'ERATOR. 



is unfit for manager. When lie gives his reasons he^must 

 state facts, and those facts can be verified by the directors, and 

 upon the accuracy of liis knowledge a fair judgment of his 

 abihty may be based. 



Vigor. — Extent of accurate knowledge, as already stated, 

 will usually indicate vigor, but vigor is of two kinds, one aris- 

 ing from an active nervous tem[)erament, involving quick 

 perception and rapid execution, and not un frequently associ- 

 ated with a weak stomach— from which all liuman power comes 

 — and a tendency to wear out and break down; the other the 

 outgrowth of a more sluggish nature, witli slower jDcrception 

 and more deliberate execution, but accompanied by noble 

 digestive organs and wonderful staying qualities. This type 

 is by far the most valuable, but is seldom available in middle 

 life for salaried positions. It is tlie class which grows rich 

 and is occupied with its own property. The physique and 

 conversation of the man indicates the quality of his vigor. 



Experience and Tad. — Experience, of course, is only to be 

 ascertained by inquiry, but there is something to be said 

 about tact. This almost indefinable quality may be the result 

 of the natural promi)ting of a kind and honest heart, or it 

 may be the studied expression of a cold and calculating 

 villain; one of the most tactful and winning men I ever met 

 was also one of the greatest scoundrels. Intimate acquaint- 

 ance will disclose the type, but casual or limited acquaintance 

 will not always do so. Tact is essential in cooperative busi- 

 ness in order to keep it together; its presence may usually be 

 determined by the effect of the person on one's self; to the extent 

 that he wins you to him he has tact, and, if the opportunity 

 occurs to observe him in a ditficult or annoying position, the 

 impression tliat ho makes upon yourself under the circum- 

 stances is the best evidence you can have of his tact. Your 

 opinion of the source of his tact will be determined by your 

 investigation as to his integrity. 



The Valve of Salaried Service. — I know of nothing more 

 puzzling to the directors of a farmers' distributing society 

 proposing to do business on a large scale than fixing a com- 

 pensation of its principal ofiicers. They often have not the 



