THE PROBATIONARY HIRED MAN 7 



ranchers now running respectable herds, who started 

 in with only what they were able to save after a few 

 years of playing hired man to large stock-keepers. 

 If you happen to be a " green-hand " when first you 

 arrive in the particular district you have selected 

 to find a job, it may be that it wiU be necessary to 

 go out with some stock-owner to work for him the 

 first three months for your board alone, as you 

 cannot reasonably expect him to feed, instruct, and 

 pay you wages. Three months should see you a 

 fairly handy man, and deserving of some remunera- 

 tion for your labours, provided you have been 

 industrious during that time, and if your employer 

 cannot see his way to gratifying your request, take 

 yourseM off to another in the neighbourhood who 

 can. Labour is not so easily come by that he will 

 be content to let you go unless you are utterly 

 useless, especially during haying-time. I would 

 especially warn aU those desirous of ranching or 

 fanning in Manitoba and the Western Provinces 

 generally against men who advertise for pupils, 

 whom they claim to instruct — for a fat premium, 

 of course — ^in aU branches of the industry. You are 

 naturally in a far better position for acquiring the 

 necessary knowledge from an old settler, who will 

 teach you all you need to know without a fee of any 

 sort to start with, and will pay you wages as soon as 



