The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-12-23

confined TO a binding out to lcari, some me-
chanical trade, it is equally applicable to ac-
quiring a knowledge of the cart and mystery :"
ofagriculturc.
| recently saw statement in an English
agricultural periodical of the expenses of this
kind of labor in an account the master of
twenty apprenticed boys to agriculture had
carefully kept, giving the items Of board, the
cost of each meal, of cloths, vclvctccn coats
and pants, shirts, caps, shoes, &C., all drawn
up with the UTMOST detail and care, and he
clearly showed that it was the cheapest la
Dor in England; cheaper than hiring labor at
twenty-five cents day, and the laborer
boarding himself.
| have ten Of these apprentices on my farm
at this time, colorcd boys, bound till they arc
twenty-one, and have not had less than about
this number for the last ten years. They
begin to earn their living very early. You
may work farm very cheaply with this kind
of labor. If black apprentices cannot always
| be obtained white ones may from the cities
The advantage to agriculture and the country
will be, ifthis agricultural apprentice system
could be more generally adopted, that we
should be growing up well trained set of
farm laborcrs whose skill and services would
be of benefit to the country as we'll as to
themselves. '-
| Now as to the MANAGEMENT OF FARM
HANDS; and this is very important subject,
and one not half enough considered lii the
Army it is the business of the officers. a part
| ola daily routine with them, to drill and
discipline. and train, and manage the men,
| to look to their habits of order and sobrictv
The object is to have perfect corps, one in
high physical condition and skilled in their
art. Because we cannot exercise the same
authority over our men, it is no reason why
we should be utterly indifferent to everything
| but getting days work out of them. In
mechanic workshops, and manufacturing cs-
adjustments. to great extent, men work
piece work, and in all cases the hours of la
Dor are carefully regulated, by which the
employer is at least certain that the time will
be put in. On the farm this cannot he done:
it is not practicable, advisable, or best, and
hence to get out of the men what can be got
by little scolding a little coaxing and
sometimes little cursing, is about all, as
some view it. that can be done If this is so
we arc worse off than any other description
Of employers. We know this difficulty about
labor is great source Of annoyanccto many,
it is.a common subject of complaint. and cv-
en- forces some from the pursuit of agriculture.
But it ought, OH the contrary, to be so man
aged that We could find our happicst hours
passed in driving with our men 1.-THE team a
field, or in carrying on any and all other
operations of the farm, even to its drudgcry.
The first great matter as have said be-
fore, is to have q regular force; whether slave
tenant. or apprentice labor, let it be regular
instead ola guerrilla force men who have en-
tered the same fields before together Let us
take care to keep them in spirit; drive the
work, but don't let the work drive and drag
and worry us. Be on the spot to point out
the short ways to the men: excite their emit
lation, rouse their ambition; very little adj
dress will suffice for this. Don't worry and
fag them, and press them for the last muscu-
lar excrton they are capable of making, eve
ry day; don't seem too cxacting: then when
you really get into tight place, when the
crops are threatened with the grass, or the
harvest presses, you have fresh set of will
ing hands to follow you. Yes, l say to follor;
for then the proprietor should be At his post,
with his eyes directed to every operation 60
ing on, encouraging and cheering on the men
looking that they are well refreshed, and
their comforts attended to. A set of hands
so managed will be sure that their reaper is
first to beat the reveille of the morning, and
their vesper song will be the last heard among
the harvesters.
l once heard military gentleman of much
experience remark, that it was well under
stood in the Army that good captains made
good companies. He said, when in Florida
with the army, that certain companies had
such reputation that, when any formidable
obstacle was encountered, as clearing ham
ocks for the passage of artillery, dragging
artillery through swamps, or rafting over
rivers. these companies were looked to to ad-
vance and encounter the difficulty. But, said
he. it would seem that the captains Of all such
companies were bold, spirited, enterprising
fellows, calm and cheerful, making light Of
difficulties themselves, and pointing out, with
judgment and foresight the best way to en-
counter them.
/ think there is mistake in many parts
Of the country in getting the men out too ear
ly, blowing the horn too early, and working
too late. There is objection to this course
growing out Of our climate; it is the source
Of disease. From sun to sun is long enough
with an hour, or an hour and half, respite |
at noon, to get all the work out of man he
is fairly capable Of doing You may keep
him longer on his feet, but even standing ex-
hausts him. What is military experience on
this subject9 You will often see it stated in
the reports ofgenelals Of armies, for instance,
'.tha. the men had been advanced, at forced |
IL. T.