Proceedings of the Farmers^ Club. 607 



shoots. Each leaf-plv.clver should be furnished with a small basket, 

 suspended from his neck by a band, into which he should throw the 

 leaves as gathered, and, when filled, transfer them to a larger basket, 

 which ought to be carried to the factory without delay, as exposure 

 to the sun Avliile in a large mass tends to heat and spoil them. x\ll 

 plucking should, if possible, be finished by noon, to permit of the 

 manufacture of the leaf on the same day it is gathered, as it improves 

 the quality of the tea both in respect to color and flavor. 



Lauor, Management of, Apfoktionixg of Works, Payments and 

 Advances. 



Labor consists of two classes, local and imported, and each class 

 requires a separate kind of treatment. The imported laborer is 

 dependent on, and a ])art and parcel of the estate, until the expiring 

 of the term of his contract, while the local laborer is a free agent 

 and works when and where he likes. Im]>orted labor is a medley of 

 all classes, and the men are, in consequence, most difficult to manage 

 at first. Some are of a lively disposition, others sullen and sulky ; 

 some are active and others lazy ; some are contented, others again 

 are discontented ; some there are (but few) respectable, while there 

 are others that would breed discontent wherever they M'ent. How- 

 ever, it is the duty, as well as the intei-est of the planters, to treat all 

 with kindness and consideration, and to endeavor to reconcile them 

 to their new home on their arrival at his factory, and to make them 

 understand that by justice, and justice only, between employer and 

 employed, they are to be governed. Once establish a mutual confi- 

 dence, and the imported laborer overcomes his repugnance to locate 

 himself on tlie plantation. 



The duties of the laborer are multifarious, and it would only be a 

 recapitulation to enumerate and define them here, as the whole of 

 the duties portrayed in this essay, are the works of the laborer. But 

 the duties of the master to his laborer, are not so fully understood as 

 they ought to be, so it may not be out of place to define them here 

 as succinctly as possible. First, then, he must study the character 

 of the individuals he has to deal with. Secondly, he must pay every 

 attention to the sick, and keep up a regular sujjply of medicines and 

 medical attendance. Thirdly, he sliould see that his laborers are 

 supplied with good and wholesome food, and that the}'' are not 

 cheated in quantity or price. Fourthly, he must be careful that the 

 water they drink be pure, as the health of his laboi'ers chiefly de})ends 



