170 
Co-operative Farms. 
has full power to direct what shall be done, and see that it is 
properly executed. 
One tenement was occupied by the widow of the member who 
first occupied it. 
The general routine of buying and selling is also commonly 
left to the Manager, although for an important purchase of stock 
he would, probably confer with a committee-man of judgment 
and experience in that department ; and to that end a good judge 
of stock as well as a good accountant would generally act on 
the committee. The post of manager is, therefore, one of much 
responsibility and considerable anxiety, because losses are a 
serious matter to such employers as he acts for. The stability 
of the enterprise must depend on the confidence reposed in this 
officer, and the moderation of the committee and association in 
not declaring or claiming an extra dividend after an unusually 
prosperous season, but keeping some funds in reserve against a 
" rainy day." For his services the manager only receives Is. per 
week above the general wages ; he does not even live rent free : 
his chief benefit being that his wife has lOZ. a year for perform- 
ing the ordinary duties of a farm housewife. 
There can be no doubt that many gentlemen would put a 
higher value on the services of so trustworthy a servant ; on the 
other hand, it might not be easy to replace him if he were 
tempted to change his position. This difficulty would not arise 
from Avant of good raw material, but from the time required to 
mould it into form. In no walk of life does the old English 
stamp of character n^tand out more prominently than in "the 
intelligent, considerate, upright manliness of the picked labourer 
who often acts as bailiff for a large farmer, at a rate of pay which 
bears but a small proportion to the trust reposed in him. Such 
men are not scarce, but they have no experience in buying and 
selling, and therefore are not fit to act independently as bailiffs. 
Should such associations as this receive a wider development, and 
the merits of their successful managers be recognised, it may 
become requisite to have constantly an assistant manager, who 
may be capable of carrying on the system if the senior manager 
should be removed to a better appointment. 
In the regulation of the work and wages this farm, therefore, 
wisely avoids pcculiarit}'. 
Of the direct profits made and dividends received I am not 
qualified to speak, not having been permitted to inspect their 
books of accounts. It is acknowledged that the profits arc very 
good, but Mr. Gurdon himself is ignorant of their amount. If 
there were room for complaint or dissatisfaction, this reserve 
Avould not be maintained. 
One of the indirect advantages which the rules of the society 
