Management of a Home Farm. 
269 
where lots of beasts from distant fairs, it mifjht be, were brou{i;ht 
home without the slightest apparent cost to the owner. Another 
man enters his expenses to the minutest item, including droving 
charges, cScc, and perhaps gets sharply criticised for his pains. 
Let the reader judge which plan is the right and businesslike one 
— viz. where expenses are fairly charged, or where expenses are 
left in the background, while an increase in the price per head 
makes all straight, and something more. In regard to weekly 
markets, a regular stated sum should be allowed for each attend- 
ance, fairly to cover all expenses, including dinner, stabling, and 
tolls. When this point is once arranged, let it be done with for 
all time to come. 
In regard to the settlement of accounts, it is well to obtain a 
receipt for all moneys paid, small sums (say under half-a-sovereign) 
alone excepted. Though such is not the custom in farming ma- 
nagement generally, yet it has but little difficulty in practice. 
The manager should be provided with blank forms of receipt, 
and the filling-up is only the work of a moment, while the satis- 
faction and clearness it affords can hardly be regarded too highly. 
In relation to the other parts of the establishment, the bailiff 
holds an important position ; as farm supplies of various kinds 
(labour or assistance sometimes included) bring him into con- 
nexion with most of the other heads of departments. Seek to 
maintain a good understanding ; what supplies are wanted, let 
them be promptly and cheerfully given ; and endeavour to keep 
up the credit of the establishment by honourable dealings towards 
all. As to the men, it is quite possible to retain a good and 
friendly connexion with them, Avhile at the same time full value 
is obtained for the wages paid. Punctuality in hours, strict 
supervision, and kindly feelings, will tend materially to soften 
the yoke of labour. No begging for gratuities should be tole- 
rated ; and it would be better far, if that constant source of 
annoyance — beer — were banished from business relations be- 
tween employer and employed. But unhappily upon many a 
Home-farm* the tap runs too freely, part of the wages being thus 
paid in money and part in beer, while disputes and vexation are 
the invariable result. In this respect the bailiff has often in his 
hands a great power for good or for evil. Let such power be 
exerted in the right direction, and Home-farms will yet stand 
higher, and their utility be more acknowledged, than has hitherto 
been the case. 
Stoneleigh Abbey Farm, Warwickshire, 
April, 1862. 
* Certainly not upon all — vide the published experience of Mr. Holland, M.P., 
on this subject. 
