Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-06-23
farmtr's department.
About Hired Men.

We have had frequent occasion TO notice the
different "lnck," rs they called il wi ich emplo.
ers have had with their hiled hclp We know
Mr.. i. WHO was for ever in hot water with
his men. They couldn't be Trusted ont Of sight.
They would idle away half their time, slight
their work, abuse the horses and cattle, and
waste more than their help was wOr,h-Such
was the frequent complaint Of them and 10
them On the other hand they uuhcsitatingly
declared that there never was such driving,
miserly surly, aud altogether contemplate man
as their employer From early Summer until
their employment ceased in the fall, there seem
cd to be a continual strife between them each
aggravating the other, each apparently study
ing to find the limit OF human endurance, and
it sometimes happened that actual violence w2s
resorted to- a hand-tohand encounter with one
or more of the men, followed by prosecutions,
lawsuits, and costs pay.
But neighbor G never appeared TO have
cl difficulty. lie frequ nty red the same
men employed by Mr. Z. the previous season,
yet all went smoothly. His work was done in
season, and reH done although they wero
often away from his observation, there was no
disposition shown to take advantage of his
excellent hands" Yet he never was heard
TO scold, but often to praise and if fanlt was
found, the offender alone knew of it. This We
apprehend was one secret OF his success He
remembered that they were men as we'll as
"help and as a man he knew that apprecia
tion is one of the highest stmuants ofexcrtion
and that fanltfhding in presence of others,
sOurS the feelings and disheartcns from effort
The man who t"kes as much pains to lixd points
to commend in those in his employ, as he does
to discover their defects, will soon see the bene-
fit, in cheerful readiness to work and endcavors
to please. Seeding never did any good. A
man will listen If you tell him his faults, how
ever plainly if it be done with milduesS aud in
private.
Too many men pay but little regard to tie
physical comfort Of their help" They are
kept on the cOarscSt, sometimes the meanest
fare. They are sent to sleep two or three in
q room often in the unfinished chamber of an
outbuding. and on beds tit only to do penance
upon. Then too, the men are not only kept
at their work " from early dawn til set of SUM- -
but Que furrow more must be turned or one
swath more moved after the full time Of DAYS
work is completed. Men are easily affected
by what touches physical feelings Generous
fare-it need not be expensive comfortable
lodging rooms, ample noon rests, and prompt
turning out from the field at night, will be
more than repaid by the cheerful spirit and
working with will, which will be given in
return.
Another cause of much difficulty will be found
in the whiskcy jug or cider pitcher carried into
the field. Although the men may for a time
seem to do more 10y the use OF this extra steam
experience has many times proved that strictly
temperate men can better endure the severe la
bors of farm life while seven eghthS of the
quarrelS and collisions, with disgrace too many,
otherwise peaceful, communities, originate from
the use of alcoholic Stimulants
A great point will be gained if hired men
can be brought to feel an interest IN he success
of the farm. Sometimes a good way to pre-
cure this, would be the offer of extra pay pro-
vided the amount of the crops could be brought
beyond the average yield, SO that each would
feel personal interest i'll doing his work we'll
1t would take very little calculation to show
that several bushels per acre might be added
to the product Of each field, by better blowing
corn or other crops. The subject is certainly
worthy OF careful consideration, for most farm.
ers are, to quite an extent, dependent upon
the labor of others.