Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-05-31
A Farmers Lament Over the Din.
Guilty Of Hiring Labor.


One of the most difficult problems to
be solved by the American farmer of
to-day, is the one which relates to
hired help. The question is not alto
gether as to the expense, but the diff
Guilty of getting good help. The cost
has deferred many of those who cul-
tivate small farms from hiring at all.
They prefer to do what they are able
themselves, and let the rest go. They
thus save the increase of cares to the
wife, which hired help bring to the
household. But those who make this
decision and perform the labors of the
farm alone often work at disad-
vantage. as there are many kinds of
work which can be more economically
done by two or three men. The same
can be said also concerning the eco
nOmical use of the necessary teams of
the farm, as often teams must of neces-
sity be kept idle, when. if there was
right proportion of manual labor en-
ployed, the team would be earning
something at such times. There are
instances which the writer has known,
where there were several stout healthy
sons, who, during their minority, aided
their father in such manner as to save
altogether the need of hired men. In
one case farmer so blessed, for sew
eral years enjoyed great prosperity.
his sons being smart, active and in
dustrious. But when they became of
age and either left the farm or demand
ed wages the increased expense of
10 g., nS
hired mems wages, led to the financial
embarrassment of the farmer.
For the past few years the demand
for an increase of wages has come with
each season, while the prices for farm
crops do not warrant such an increase.
1t has been suggested that a less num-
Der of acres will be grown of those crops
which require the greater amount OF Ia
Dor, the coming season. Such course
may be judicious one, more brain
work, more study as to the best paying
crops. with the most economical man.
ner of cultivation, may result in saving
heavy bills for labor, as well us much
of the anxiety which the management
of hired help entails. 1t is not so easy
for the farmer to hire his work done by
the piece as much manufacturing work
can be. We occasionally hear of some
persons contracting for the culture OF
such special crops as tobacco or onions
by the acre, pound or bushel. But it is
not so easy to contract for the harvest
ing of grains or gathering of the hay
crop and expect that all will be done in
just the nick of time, in the best wealth
er and order. He who would drive his
work instead of have the work drive
him, and avoid loss and waste by crops
being Overripe, must beforehand see
that he has sufficient help engaged for
emergencies The saying of Poor
Richard was true ONE
"He who by the pillow would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive"
Yet help that will not work excepting
when under the eye of the farmer, is
cheap help indeed. 1t is not only inn
possible but unwise for the farmer to
always guide the plow with his own
hands. 1t is not only necessary but
profitable for him to have some days of
relaxation and rest from toll, some days
of study and observation of the methods
of others. At such times, if at no other,
help that can be trusted is the cheapest.
We believe that the class of help that
have families are in the long run most
reliable. 1t is impossible for hired
man who has the habit of being ''Out O.
nights to give satisfaction to his en-
ployer. II he will rob himself of sleep
he will rob his employer of that physi-
cal strength and humor which belong
to him. 1t is for this reason that l
think that married men are the most
reliable, because their nights are usual
ly spent at home. For them dwellings
should be provided SO conveniently To-
Gated that the employe. can assist about
the chores, have the care of the teams,
which will create in him an interest in
their welfare. An opportunity should
be given to each person and their fami-
lies to grow vegetables for home con-
sumption, as well as small fruits and
flowers, and still farther, to cultivate a
taste for books and other refining
things which tend to make things pleas
ant.-John ~ Smith, IN Springfield
Mass J Republican.