The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-02-20

ing iapor TOT the approaching season. Inc
hired man. in the good old times, began his
work on the LIST Of April. and the term Of SER
vice was for or months. 4 longer term did
not suit his convenience, or that Of his employ
er. He could teach school in the winter, or
strap on his trunks and peddle. tend saw mill,
or butcher pigs. and make more money than he
could on the farm. And, then, in the days Of
homsspun. with all due allowance for the many
virtues of our fathers, there was not quite SO
much enterprise in winter as now, and CON-
paritively little was done upon the farm. The
hired man got or 10 dollars q month for his
summer labor, and thought he did pretty we'll.
Now the average price of labor in the Eastern
States is 33 dollars month and for the whole
country, %, ~ last reported by the Commis-
sioner of Agriculture. We think there must
be little reduction from these prices the pre-
sent year. There has been large accession to
our population from Europe the most of them
males. in the prime of life, who have come to
this country seeking labor. Trey have strong
hands aud willing hearts, intent upon improv-
ing their fortunes and in due time gettin z
homes of their own. Many ofthese go West
but multtudes iinger at the East, and can be
employed at reasonable prices upon the farm.
Then it is to be considered that our manufac-
turing interests are somewhat depressed, and
wages are reduced from ten to twenty per
cent, and some establishments are stopping
This will throw some out of employment and
they will seek support upon the farm which
alone has bread enough, and work for ALL
The prospects for agriculture the coming year
are exceedingly promising everywhere, except
in the cotton states. We have raised, the
past year, the best wheat crop ever produced in
the country. and the prices are satisfactory.
The corn crop, short in some states, was, on the
whole. an average, and the prices high. Pota-
toes were . very short crop, and the prices
higher than for many years. With few ex-
ceptions. everything the farmer produces brings
good round profit on the cost of production,
showing that the business can he safely extend
ed. We think, as a rule. cur Northern farm
ers do not employ much labor as they
ought, to make their business profitable. They
are content to rub along, just supporting their
families, when they might do this and have
handsome surplus by using more labor. 1t
costs very little more brain work to direct the
labors of six men than the labor ofone. IF
there is a profit in hiring man, there is six
times the profit in hiring SIX other things be.
ing equal. Ofcourse, it requires more capital
and more care. There can be no doubt that
farming pays with present prices. and we hold
that land is profitable Just as we expend labor
and cspital upon it. If any man has any
doubt upon that point let him plant an acre of
corn, applying fifty dollars worth OF stable ma
nure, and giving thorough cultivation, and
compare the result with little or no manure
and poor cultivation. Labor is much higher
than it used to be, but farm crops sell enough
higher to make up the difference, and leave
margin for profit. We have no doubt that
multitudss of our skillful farmers would great
ly improve their fortunes by using moro labor
and enlarging their business. They have skill
enough and capital enough, lift were put in
the right place. The markets show clearly
enough, that we want more hay and grain,
moro beef and butter, more potatoes and poul-
try, and that all farm crops pay well for rails
ing. The manufacturer and merchant are very
much in doubt about their ventures now, and
some are failing. The farmer has no solicitude
of this kind. He may extend his business and
thrive.
Get skilled labor iii he had. but il not.
use the emigrant. Many who come over nave
been trained to farm labor, and very soon a.
dspt themselves to our methods. If the farr-
or can be in the field with his help the most of
the time, skill is of less importance. One the
best hands we ever had, began work with us
the day after he landed, and staid with US six
years. If green hand has aptness he will
acquire skill, and after few months will be as
serviceable at m ost kinds of work the best
hand. There is difficulty in getting emf
grant labor, in any uantty, and at reasonable
prices. Thousands of them come to our shores
every month and are eager to secure places
Give them q chance to earn their bread. and to
make homes for themselves upon land of their
own.-American Agriculturist for February.