Year: 1864

Another draft has been made upon the
Agricultural labor Of the Northwest by
the call Of the Governors for 85, 600 men
for 100 days The question arises how
the deficiency Of labor thus occssioned
osn be made up. We see but two or three
chances Of balancing the account.


In the first place those who arc left can
perform a little more than they had in
tended. The task Of whipping the rebel
lion and at the same time keeping the
country supplied with the necessaries Of
life is decidedly extraordinary, and this is
no tims for any patriot, whether in the
field of war or the field Of work, to COR
suit his ease. Those at home can perform
an extra task and still be far more COM
fortably situated than those who are mar
shsled in defence Of the Government. In
creased enterprise and labor at home
should be deemed 8 patriotic duty; but
they have also the stimulsnt Of extra
profit.


In the second place the sgriculturists
will find it greatly to their advantage to
employ more machinery, especially in hsF-
vesting the coming crops. 1t is true that
most Of the larger are already supplied
with machinery, but the smaller producers
should now cooperate for the purchase Of
mowers, Fespers, &c, az one machine
would do work for several farms IS we'll
as one. Two, four, six or more can thus
divide the cost amongst them and own the
machine. II will be difficult if not impos-
sible to cut the coming crop in consequences
of the scarcity Of hands, with increased
machinery. Several farmers can own a
| "a n amttTnR
each others harvest.


Let little mutual good feeling prevail
in this regard. Should each one insist
npon cutting his harvest first the difficulty
could be readily settled by lot.


In the third place the women should be
ready and willing to help in such field
work ss is within their strength. A Wo'
man can drop or cover corn as we'll Ss q
man; indeed in some localities both dsugh-
ters snd mstrons have been in the habit Of
turning out in corn planting. Then when
the cultivation comes on they can "set
| up" the little corn that may be disturbed
by the cultivstor or ploW and here and
there a vigorous aud ambitious daughter
that is really alive can help in working
the teams. Many 8 woman during the
American revo ution plowed, planted, and
gathered into barns while their husbands
and fathers we're achieving the independ-
ence of their country. To render such IS
sistance now will be worth speaking OF
hereafter.


We suggest also that the farmers con-
tinue to plow and plant till the middle Of
June. It may all ripen, in which case a
larger profit will be derived; but should
frost nip it too early, it will still pay as
feed, for beef will be high. The wheat
crop will be light, and the unfavorsble
spring prevented the planting Of but q
small area in oats; consequently the main
reliance will be on corn, Of which there
cannot be too much planted. By the time
the fall work comes on, it is expected there
will be considerable accession to sgri-
cultural labor from foreign countries, and
perhaps from the South also. The demo-
Gratis promised us great influx otnegroes
in case the war should hberate them but
like most Of their promises the fulfllment
cannot yet be seen. At all events get the
grain into the ground, cultivate early and
late, and the country will be benefited.