Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-08-24

Aneut the question discussed by our cor
respondent. Young Farmer of doing
ones own blacksmithing and its logical
connection how much of similar work a
farmer can do. another young farmer writes
to the Ohio Farmer, and the editor of that
paper answers the question exactly accord
inc to our own view of the case. A mans
location, inclination and ability, must de-
eide the question; and as for doing them
profitablv, that must depend upon the
workman's skill. All the trades and pro-
fessions charge upon the principle OF the
negro who killed the calf and charged a
dollar for doingit When fault was found
with the price; that half dollar was
enough for killing calf, replied: /" Yes,
half dollar for kill de calf, and half a
dollar for de know how" So, an hours
work by the carpenter or blacksmith will
be charged higher than the farmer could
get for the same time. and the doctor and
lawyer still higher. So what work of his
own the farmer can do properly and well,
he had better do.
A LABOR QUESTION.
have heen puzzling my brain for some
time over what seems to me rather com
plicated problem. and not having arrived
at very satisfactory conclus on, | will
submit the question to you and your con
trihutors who are practical farmers. |
doubt il can write 1t so "a Ia ha "nhnr-
stood 1t is something like this: To what
extent should a young farmer learn other
trades? and, to what extent can he use this
knowledge in connection with his own
occupation. with profit TO himself and with
due respect for the rights of others? We
often see writers urging parents to teach
their boys the use of tools. As the result
OF such teaching many farmers have a
good stock of tools, and n workshop, and
can, and often do, put up small out ulld
ings. They can roof their own barns ant
stables. They can make n gate or a set OF
hay ladders and many other things thai
would take carpenter, if they could moi
do it themselves. They have II few shoe
makers tools and can halfsole their owr
boots or mend their harness know some
that do all their own painting. Now there
Is the questiOn--can the farmer do sucl
work protitably. himself, or had he better
hire it donep If | can find plenty of worl
with my stock and crops, will 1t pay M
better to hire my carpenter work done
than to do it myself? Had | better try t.
learn something of these trades in come
ton with farming, or better devote all m.
time to the improvem, mt of my land an
stock? 1t is not only IA qne,io of prof
but with me it is u question of right
Would it he right for me to do Il piece q
wood work when hat plenty Of othe
work to doP The carpenter gives hi
whole tme to this class of work and dc
ponds on it for his living. Or what rela
tiOn does one trade or occupltlOn bear t
mother, in this regarL?- YOung Farmer.
There is no difficulty in deciding thi
question. Every man in this country ha
a right to do his own work if he wants Il
do 1t, or hire it done if he wants to do that
1t is simply question of profit. If yo'
Can devote any portion of your Tune t
making or requiring, more probably tina
any other way, then do it. 1t Is a questlo
each must decide for himself. We believ
most of farmers, especially in commencin.
life, can do great deal of such work NOR
pruitably than to hire it done.