PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS 
 
 AS TO 
 
 INSTRUCTION IN FARMING 
 
 IN 
 
 CANADA & THE NORTH-WEST, 
 
 ANJ? THE 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 AND 
 
 TASM AN I A. 
 
 ' Angustam amice pauperiem pati 
 Eobustus acri militia puer 
 Condiscat.'* — Horace. Carm. ii. 2. 
 
 THIRTEENTH EDITION, REVISED, 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM WILBRAHAM FORD 
 
 AND 
 
 JOHN RATHBONE, 
 
 21, FiNSBURY Pavement, London, B.C. 
 
 A a 
 
 y
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Messrs. Ford, Rathbone & Co. are a private Firm, 
 independent of all land companies and agents, and they 
 have a complete organisation on both sides of the Atlantic, 
 which ensures a thorough fulfilment abroad of every 
 engagement entered into here. The Firm commenced 
 operations at this office in 1880. Its success to this date 
 is attested by the clients themselves and their constant 
 letters, some of which are quoted below. 
 
 It is very desirable that all communications intended for Ui> 
 should he addressed to us by name, as 
 
 Messrs. FORB, BATHBONE and CO. 
 
 The following form of Receipt is given for the 
 Premium : — 
 
 Jii.B. — The Practical nature of the duties and routine of the Farm have 
 been thoroughly explained to the Pupil or to his friends. 
 
 21, FiNSBURT Pavement, London, E.G. 
 X> 
 
 EECEIYED from 
 
 of ^ 
 
 the sum of - tlie same being a Premium for 
 
 which we undertake to place _ _ 
 
 who is now_ years of age, as a Farm pupil, in 
 
 with a good Farmer there, where he will be treated as one of the 
 family, and have as comfortable a home as Farmers in that district 
 usually have, and be practically taught American Farming, receiving 
 also his board and lodging, with bed and bedroom to himself, and 
 
 in addition thereto pay at the rate of Dollars 
 
 per month for the fijst twelve months. 
 
 It is expected that he will remain with the Farmer upon the 
 above terms for twelve months, but this arrangement is entirely 
 
 based upon the reciprocal promise that said _ 
 
 is to conduct himself properly, and diligently aid in the work of the 
 Farm, the same as the Farmer's sons are accustomed to do there. 
 
 Of the above Premium Dollars are to be paid 
 
 as a bonus to the Farmer. 
 
 It is clearly understood that this Agency will not be responsible 
 for any consequences which may arise from intemperance or mis- 
 conduct on the part of the pupil, or physical incapacity.
 
 ■ PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS 
 
 AS TO 
 
 INSTRUCTION IN FARMING 
 
 IN 
 
 Canada and the North-West, and the United 
 States of America, and Tasmania. 
 
 A Self-supporting Occupation and Opening in Life for 
 
 Gentlemen's Sons, and a prudent way of starting for 
 
 any who desire to engage in Agriculture in 
 
 America and the Colonies, 
 
 Young gentlemen desiring to learn agriculture and stock objects ' 
 raising thoroughly, with the view, when they have gained and Scope 
 sufficient experience, of commencing work on farms of their ^ ^h^ 
 own, can be placed with carefully-chosen farmers in the best ^® ®°^* 
 districts either of Canada, the United States, or Tasmania, 
 where they will receive board and residence in addition to 
 monthly pay, so that from the commencement they can be 
 self-supporting and start successfully. 
 
 The system requires on the part of the pupil the same 
 attention to the farm and actual labour as the owner of the 
 farm and his sons are accustomed to bestow upon it, and 
 almost any one who has thus learned farming can engage in 
 it profitably on his own account ; (1) by the pm'chase of 
 Ian J. for cash ; (2) on time payments extending over a term 
 of years ; (3) by joining the farmer he is placed with, or some
 
 of his English companions ; (4) by taking a farm on the 
 share system, a plan commonly adopted in the States, and 
 explained in the Appendix ; (5) by acquiring 160 acres free- 
 hold, and tree of cost, under the Homestead* Act. In either 
 of the last two methods he can, if necessary, commence with 
 little or no capital beyond tnat which he may save out of his- 
 earnings ; and though the progress then will be much slower 
 at first, it is the way in which many, and in some districts 
 the majority, of American farmers begin. 
 
 The leading principle of the system we have originated is 
 to make the young men self-supporang from the first, and in 
 this way the self-reliance so necessary to success in a new 
 countiy can best be acquked. To send them out without 
 the imposed obligation to work and to earn honest payment 
 for their services would not lead to habits of industry^ and 
 to that practical acquaintance with every part of the business 
 without which they could not safely be hereafter trusted 
 ivith farms of their own ; and the farmer himself would not 
 have such control over them as would ensure his being able 
 to teach them properly. 
 
 The farmers selected to receive young men are chiefly 
 Position of those cultivating from 160 to 600 acres as mixed grain and 
 Farmers, gtock farms, which are the size and description most general 
 in the States ; f ^^^ as' it would probably be on farms of this 
 acreage that the majority of those going out would commence 
 for themselves, it is unquestionably better for them to gain, 
 their experience in this manner than on larger farms ; those,, 
 however, who desire to learn on larger farms, and can after- 
 wards command the capital necessary to start and carry 
 them on, can be suitably placed for that purpose, though the; 
 advice m all cases is that they should commence in the- 
 smaller way. 
 
 We quote the following from the tenth Census of the' 
 United States for 1880, Vol. III., xxviii. : 
 
 * The fees on entering a homestead amount to about £3, and absolute title is 
 given after proof of five years' residence and cultivation each year of some por- 
 tion. A capital of £100 would be sufficient to enable a young Englishman tO' 
 commence in a small way for himself. It mny be observed, however, that many 
 Americans start successfully with even smaller amounta. 
 
 + See statement in the Appendix, p. «3, Jr ^ 
 
 ^ UIUC ^
 
 "The actual cultivators of the soil here have been the same 
 kind of men preciselj^ as those who filled the professions, or were 
 engaged in commercial and mechanical pursuits. 
 
 " Of two sons of the same mother, one became a lawyer, perhaps 
 a judge, or went down to the «ity and became a merchant, or gave 
 himself to political affairs and became a governor, or a member of 
 Congress ; the other stayed upon the ancestral homestead, or 
 made a new one for himself and his children out of the public 
 domain farther west, remaining through life a plain, hard-working 
 farmer." 
 
 S 
 
 From " Log-Cabin to White House." Life of James ' 
 Garfield, President, U.S.A. : 
 
 " James might have called the farm his teacher. It taught him 
 many excellent lessons. 
 
 "He extracted the most valuable knowledge from its soil. He 
 evoked inspiring thoughts from its labour. His manhood 
 developed under its rigid discipline. His mind enlarged its 
 mental grasp. The season spent in the log schoolhouse could 
 not have pushed him higher up than did his experience on the 
 farm. It was positive proof that work is discipline as much as 
 study, and that it can do for boys often more than study to 
 qualify them for the stern duties of life. James was more of a 
 man at the close of that season than he was at the beginning of it.*' 
 
 N.B. — James was twelve years old at this time, when he ran a 
 farm of fifty acres alone for his mother. 
 
 Lord Coleridge said ("Pall Mall," 11th September, 1883) : 
 
 *' England and America are one in blood, in language, in law, 
 one in hatred of oppression and love of liberty. We are bound 
 together by God Himself in golden chains of mutual affection and 
 mutual respect, and two nations so joined I am firmly convinced 
 man will never put asunder." 
 
 To those who prefer an active out-of-door life to the Prospects. 
 sedentary occupation of an office, or who seek, but are unable 
 to find, an opening in England which will permit them to 
 earn an income and maintain themselves, this occupation 
 must specially commend itself; for the life is a manly, 
 honest, self-reliant, and healthy one, and a substantial hving 
 can be the result. 
 
 But whilst it offers an assured future to those who will 
 acquire habits of industry, and are content to live soberly
 
 How to 
 learn. 
 
 Practical 
 Experi- 
 6X1 ce. 
 
 Nature of 
 Work. 
 
 Indepen- 
 dence. 
 
 and economically, it is not desired to suggest change to such as 
 have already settled occupations here, or to cause the slightest 
 feeling of disappointment to those who go out through any 
 highly-coloured representations of the life. 
 
 Experience has shown that the best and proper way to 
 start farming is by learning the business thoroughly at the 
 outset in the manner here suggested, and without the aid of 
 capital. Capital is of little or no use without experience, 
 or, at any rate, a fair knowledge of farming. Of course, 
 ichere capital is wanting, progress will be much slower at first ; 
 but whilst on the one hand there are many who have started 
 without money and are yet prosperous, there are many more, 
 especially among the English, who, after beginning farming 
 with considerable capital, have lost it for lack of industry 
 and experience. 
 
 The course here recommended is, that the learner should 
 go out with a ^iew to live and work precisely as the farmers 
 themselves, their sons, and their men do, because the proper 
 plan for any one who intends to engage in farming is tirst to 
 acquire this practical knowledge and experience, even if he 
 have, or should hereafter have, the command of capital ; and 
 it is the only way in which those starting without capital, or 
 with only a moderate amount, can become successful. 
 
 As to the work to be learned, it is the custom for farmers, 
 especially in Canada and the Western States, to do the 
 work themselves with but little hired help, and to rely on 
 themselves and their sons in the winter months ; and it is 
 necessary, therefore, for a pupil not to be above learning 
 to use his hands. Personal labour is not considered in the 
 least derogatory in America, but is regarded as a title to 
 social respect ; and as hired labour is generally expensive, 
 especially at busy seasons of the year, such as harvest, it is 
 customary for a farmer to exchange work with his neigh- 
 bour ; the new settler, therefore, stands at a disadvantage 
 if, through being unable or unwilling to work, he is com- 
 pelled to hire labour, or if his two days' time are only worth 
 his neighbour's one day. 
 
 Those, therefore, who do not propose to learn farming 
 by actively helping with the daily work, but wish to idle 
 about towns, or only to ride about and overlook others, are
 
 not recommended to go under this system ; for, though they 
 might honestly beUeve they were doing all that was necessary 
 lor their future success, they would eventually find they had 
 been acquii-ing only habits* of idleness, never becoming 
 thoroughly independent, but making constant demands for 
 money on their friends at home, and permanently prejudicing 
 their prospects. 
 
 This plain view of the matter is expressed in the interest Practice 
 only of the pupil and his friends. We are far from painting and 
 a success to be acquired without labour, or advocating a T^®oT' 
 system under which we could easily, if so desired, place 
 young men with faiTners or other residents, who would be 
 willing to receive them on moderate annual payments without 
 expecting their help or exertions. 
 
 Nor can a residence with English gentlemen in America How not 
 be recommended to those who go out to really learn farming, to do it. 
 for, though there are English famihes settled in various dis- 
 tricts in comfortable homes, they are usually officers or other 
 gentlemen who, having hut recently gone out, are only them- 
 selves learning American farming, and are, therefore, not 
 qualified to teach it ; these gentlemen, moreover, usually re- 
 quire high terms as payment for board and residence, how- 
 ever long the pupil may remain (often as much as £100 
 a year), and usually give no pay; so that young men 
 neither become self-supporting nor are taught as an Ameri- 
 can farmer who has begun without money and made his own 
 way would be able to teach them ; and unless they have 
 acquired the knowledge of detail and habits of work and 
 steadiness which a practical training gives, they will not be 
 likely to succeed in the management of land or farms of. their 
 own ; it is not only knowing how to do the work, but the 
 habit of actually doing it, which is so necessary for their 
 success when they start for themselves. 
 
 As to the country or district to be selected, there is no selection 
 doubt that North America has an advantage on the score of of 
 distance over most of the English colonies. Not only are Country. 
 Australia and New Zealand far distant, and the cost of the 
 journey very great, but it now requires considerable capital 
 to succeed in these colonies ; the Cape hae few advant- 
 ages, and the constant difficulties with the natives form a
 
 10 
 
 Selection 
 
 of 
 
 District. 
 
 MinneBota 
 and Iowa. 
 
 Wisconsin 
 
 Ontario, 
 Quebec, 
 and Nova 
 Scotia. 
 
 berious obstacle to settlement there. North America is 
 provided with perfect railway communication ; Quebec and 
 New York, its principal ports, are within ten days of Liver- 
 pool, and the mails are dispatched nearly every day. 
 
 In reference to the most desirable parts for settlement, the 
 " Standard," in commenting upon recent emigration statistics, 
 says : — 
 
 " WLen we glance at the direction taken by the human flood which 
 in June poured out of the Mersey, we find as usual that the great Re- 
 public obtained the greatest share of the fertilising overflow of the 
 Old Continent. Of these 26,688 people, 22,565 were bound for the 
 United States, 3,837 for Canada, 40 for Australia, 173 for South 
 America, and 31 for Africa, by which may be understood the Cape 
 and Natal. . . It may be, therefore, said in general terms that 
 last month's emigrants went entirely to the United States and 
 Canada. . . The great distances of the South African and 
 Australian colonies axe a drawback to their settlement. With the 
 exception of New Zealand, and of Tasmania in a less degree, they 
 present but small attractions to the tiller of the soil." 
 
 The district at first selected by the founders of this 
 agency was that of Southern Minnesota and Upper Iowa, 
 a country exceptionally healthy. The climate is hotter in 
 summer and colder in winter than in England, but the 
 seasons are very enjoyable, the atmosphere is clear, dry, 
 and bracing, and rain seldom falls dui-ing the winter 
 months, which are much more healthy than in England. 
 
 The same characteristics of temperature, soil, and cli- 
 mate are also found in Southern Wisconsin, to which State 
 we are still sending pupils, and the farmhouses and ap- 
 pointments are usually better than in the first-named dis-, 
 tricts. The best parts of Canada also offer an excellent field 
 for learning farming, probably better than any of the Prairie 
 States, though the prairies give better opportunities for 
 buying land at low prices or starting a farm. We have 
 selected, therefore, the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and 
 Nova Scotia, as containing within their boundaries some 
 of the best districts in the Dominion, and quarters emi- 
 nently suited to those who desire to gain a thorough know- 
 ledge of farm and country, and yet wish to settle under j 
 English laws. The soil of Ontario and Quebec is extremely] 
 rich, though the best fields are by no means equally dis-
 
 11 
 
 tributed. Cereals and fruits abound, and are largely el- 
 ported. The grasses are luxui-iant. Horses and the best 
 breed of cattle are encouraged and reared. Nova Scotia 
 possesses a vast deal of excellent land, capable of giving 
 most satisfactory returns for labour and capital and enjoys 
 a most healthy climate, without either the extreme rigour of 
 the western winters or the excessive heat of the summers 
 in Upper Canada. Nova Scotia offers very cheap land : 
 a good farming climate, more humid in summer than in 
 Upper Canada, and very .advantageous tor vegetation, 
 especially pasture, and, above all, a geographical position of 
 inestimable value, between three markets — viz., the United 
 States, Great Britain, and Newfoundland. We have also 
 selected Manitoba, where the finest wheat is raised on a Manitoba 
 soil of unexampled fertility, and the crops have never yet 
 failed. Many prefer the milder winter climate and more 
 equal seasons of some of the Southern States, and these 
 we are able to place in the well-known blue grass region 
 of Kentucky, and in Florida and Virginia, where the farms Kentucky 
 are large, and the homes often more attractive than in the 
 North; and Nebraska, abounding in cattle. In Virginia Virginia, 
 there are great natural advantages for the successful grow- 
 ing of fruits, flowers, and vegetables. The culture of the 
 vine has been attended with such success as to bring 
 Virginia into competition with the best known markets. 
 Indian corn ripens well. The climate is mild, the scenery 
 beautiful. In Nebraska, Indian corn as well as other grain Nebraska 
 is largely grown, and cattle-breeding is a profitable oc- 
 cupation. 
 
 Florida is celebrated for the production of the orange, Florida, 
 grape, melon, peach, and other fruits ; and market-garden- 
 ing is a profitable industry. A training at any of the 
 stations provided by us for pupils qualifies them for set- 
 tling in any part of the United States, Canada, Manitoba, 
 or the Colonies, where free lands are to be had ; and their 
 judgment in selecting a favourable locality for operations 
 will be much assisted by the experience gained in their 
 course of tuition. 
 
 We have introduced the same system into Tasmania Tasmania 
 for the benefit of those who are not fitted to stand the
 
 12 
 
 severity of the American winter, and who are able to bear 
 the greater expenses of the journey. Arrivals from Great 
 Britain who pay their own passage, on producing receipt 
 for the same, are, if of age, entitled to a grant of land, 
 viz. : — males 30 acres, females 20 acres, and children are 
 entitled to 10 acres. 
 
 The following, written by Major- General the Hon. W. 
 Fielding, appeared in the " Nineteenth Century," Jnly, 
 1883: 
 
 " The smallest o> the Australian Colonies is that island for- 
 merly known under the name of Van Diemen's Land, but now 
 called Tasmania. Here the climate more nearly resembles that of 
 the best parts of England, the soil is rich, there is plenty of it to 
 be bought on easy terms of payment from the G-overnment, and 
 were it not for the difficulty of obtaining a reliable supply of 
 good labour at reasonable wages, Tasmania would be a paradise 
 tor energetic young men with some small means of their own. 
 There is considerable scope just now for the well-directed and 
 energetic inauguration of a statesmanlike policy, and an educated 
 and capable young English gentleman would find here a good 
 field for a successful and useful Parliamentary career. The popu- 
 lation consists for the most part of yeomen farming their own 
 lands." 
 
 Homes* The farmhouses, except in the special cases of Vir- 
 
 ginia, Florida, and Nova Scotia, are usually unpretentious, 
 smaller than in England, and not adorned with gardens ; 
 the living also is generally plainer than that which young 
 men well brought up here have been accustomed to, espe- 
 cially in the mode of cooking, which is indifferent, but the 
 diet is plentiful and there is everywhere what may be 
 termed a rough abundance. A description of the farm is 
 submitted to every pupil before embarkation. 
 
 The The people are orderly, sober, honest, energetic, and 
 
 Farmers, steady ; and the farmers, who have been carefully selected 
 to receive the pupils, are among the best and most re- 
 spected in the community, and often fill posts in the local 
 Government or administration. They will in each case do 
 all in their power to make those they receive comfortable, 
 provided the latter are industrious, steady, and docile. 
 
 The Pupil. Usually only one pupil will be placed on a farm, never 
 more than two ; and in every instance a separate bedroom
 
 is stipalated for, unless expressly stated to the contrary ; 
 some of the farmers Tvish to take two pupils, but though 
 the companionship of another young Englishman might 
 be very agreeable, it is not considered to their ultimate 
 advantage to be together. They tvill he more under the 
 influence of the farmer, and more interested in their work, 
 when on separate farms. 
 
 The cost of clothes and necessary expenditure need not Expendi- 
 exceed £10 a year, and can be provided out of their pay. ^^^^ *^^ 
 Young men going out inexperienced would not at first be once^" 
 worth more than their board, but in the agreement made 
 on their behalf with the farmers it is stipulated that they 
 shall receive from £1 to £2 a month, in addition to board 
 and residence, for the first twelve months or more ; after 
 that time they are worth more, and can in some cases earn 
 as much as £4 a month throughout the year, if they are 
 strong, capable, and industrious ; but having by this time 
 acquired self-reliance and experience in the business, they 
 would be able, and probably prefer, to bargain on their 
 own account, until they are ready to take land or farms of 
 their owti. 
 
 A probation of from one to three years is sufficient to Period of 
 confer such a thorough knowledge of farminof as will Instruc- 
 qualify them to start on their own account, with a good 
 prospect of success. 
 
 In corroboration of the views advanced in the present Essentials 
 and previous editions of this pamphlet, respecting the *o Future 
 necessity for some such probationary time being spent on "^^^P^s* 
 an American farm before any investment of capital is 
 made, the following extract is given from a speech by 
 Mr. J. Walter, M.P. for Berkshire, and of the " Times " 
 newspaper, who, in saying that he — 
 
 " Had some experience of the emigration of English farmers 
 to America .... believed it would be greatly to their 
 advantage, and would materially advance their object, if they 
 would serve a very few years of apprenticeship before they entered 
 upon their career as farmers To succeed as an emi- 
 grant farmer there should be at first, on one side or other of the 
 Atlantic, an apprenticeship, so to say, to the business." 
 
 In a subsequent speech Mr. Walter says : —
 
 14 
 
 "1 am firmly persuaded that America will become more ft 
 field of enterprise to thousands of English gentlemen, farmers, 
 
 and other classes of people Before the close of next 
 
 century there will be a population of 200 millions in the United 
 States, and what I wish is that more Englishmen would go out 
 there." 
 
 Work and The work required is hard., and a sound constitution is 
 Eecrea- essential, bnt the health and physical capacity are improved 
 by the regular exercise, and there is time for recreation ; 
 for at certain seasons of the year, especially in Canada or 
 the West, there is not so much to be done on the farm, 
 and time is then pleasantly spent in social enjoyments ; 
 sport also is plentiful in some districts. 
 Profits. As to the profits to be derived from farming, the occu- 
 
 pation should afford an income comparatively free from 
 anxiety for the maintenance of a family and a provision 
 for the future ; and further, it may be stated that there 
 are some cases in which farmers in some of the States 
 referred to commenced without capital and have realised 
 from £10,000 to £20,000, or more, from farming ; this 
 result is exceptional ; it is, however, by no means excep- 
 tional to see farmers who came into the country originally 
 without any money at all now well-to-do and thriving. 
 The advantages of superior education which most young 
 Englishmen have received will, if they show equal indus- 
 try with their American neighbours, ensure their becoming 
 influential and respected members of the community, 
 . progress being much more rapid, and openings for ad- 
 vancement, both in agricultural and commercial life, much 
 more numerous in America than in England. The author 
 of " To-Day in America " says : — 
 
 '* Life in America must have special charms for young English- 
 men who have to make their way in the world." 
 
 Total Out- * fpjje total outlay necessary for entering on an American 
 ^' farm in the manner here indicated, according to local ad- 
 
 vantages, size, and quality, under the auspices of this 
 agency, is: — For contract as to Iowa, £50; Minnesota, 
 £60; Canada, £70 and £100; Wisconsin, Manitoba, Ne- 
 braska, £70 ; Kentucky, £80 ; Nova Scotia, Florida, 
 
 J|t The outlay can be covered by an Insurance on the Pupil's life, see 
 pages 65 and 66,
 
 16 
 
 and Virerinia, £100; and Tasmania, £80 and £150; 
 beyond which there is no charge whatever, either annual 
 or otherwise, and the only further expense is the cost of 
 the jonmey, and snch outfit as may be taken. A detail of 
 the outfit will be pfiven to pupils.* 
 
 The sum paid to us covers the amount paid to the Cost, 
 farmer as well as the agency here, and also the payment to 
 the local agents who receive and place the pupils on suit- 
 able farms, and who continue, from time to time, to advise 
 them and see to their welfare ; the proportion paid to the 
 farmer is in each case specified in the agreement and 
 receipt, and this amount is in each case remitted by us, 
 and paid to the farmer when his contract is signed, after 
 a month's trial has elapsed, and the pupil has signified his 
 satisfaction with the way he is placed ; this precaution 
 being taken so that if any change of farm is necessary it 
 can be the more readily made. 
 
 The entire cost of the journey to the States or Canada Expense of 
 will be covered by from £20 to £30, according to distance Journey, 
 and locality selected ; it includes first-class cabin on the 
 steamship, first-class railway fares in America, berth in 
 sleeping car, and the whole of the living expenses from 
 the time of leaving Liverpool until the pupil is settled on 
 the farm. Detailed particulars of these expenses, and the 
 fullest instructions as to the journey, are supplied before 
 departure, also letters of introduction to our agents, both 
 
 
 •Approximate Eates. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 First Class 
 
 
 
 
 Contract. 
 
 
 Ocean and Railway Fare 
 
 Nova Scotia 
 
 
 , , 
 
 .£100 
 
 • t I 
 
 
 .£13 
 
 
 
 Quebec (Province of) 
 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 15 4 
 
 
 
 Ontario (Province of) 
 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 15 4 
 
 
 
 Iowa 
 
 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 18 17 
 
 
 
 Kentucky 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 17 14 
 
 
 
 Wisconsin 
 
 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 18 8 
 
 
 
 Nebraska . . 
 
 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 21 6 
 
 6 
 
 Virginia . . 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 15 2 
 
 6 
 
 Minnesota 
 
 
 
 60 
 
 
 
 19 12 
 
 
 
 Florida . . 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 19 2 
 
 
 
 Tasmania. . 
 
 
 • 
 
 150 
 
 First c 
 
 lass 
 
 r54 15 
 
 
 
 >> • . • 
 
 
 80 
 
 (main 
 
 deck) 
 
 t J> n 
 
 
 About £4 12s, may be deducted if the pupil prefers to iravel at 
 " Intermediate Rate " across the Atlantic.
 
 16 
 
 6n route and at their destination, who are advised in advance 
 of each sailing. At New York they meet the vessel on 
 arrival, assist in passing baggage throue:h the Custom- 
 house, and see the pupils off by train ; the arrangements 
 throughout being so complete that no difficulty or mistake 
 can arise at any stage of the journey. 
 
 The only addition to the cost of the contract and jour- 
 ney is the outfit, which need not be large or expensive, 
 but should consist of a supply of winter underclothing, 
 and, in addition to the suits in ordinary wear, such worn 
 clothes as may be hardly suitable for use here, but quite 
 good enough for rough wear. Other clothing can be 
 bought, as and when required, out of monthly pay. Pupils 
 learn thus to take care of their money. It is a mistaken 
 kindness on the part of parents or friends here to send out 
 large additional amounts, for it only tends to promote a 
 feeling of dependence upon home, instead of one of self- 
 reliance. 
 
 The question may arise in the reader's mind, Why 
 should any charge be paid ? It is undoubtedly true that 
 young men can seek, and probably obtain, temporary 
 employment for themselves without paying any premium 
 for being properly directed where to go, and for being 
 pro^4ded with a settled home on their arrival ; but the 
 attempt has been found dangerous unless they have friends 
 to w^hom they can apply at all times, and then of course 
 the services of a responsible agent are not so necessary. It 
 is very difficult for a young man without advice, in the 
 States, to ascertain the best spot for his purposes ; he 
 would probably hang about large cities, where employment 
 is as difficult to find as it is in England, or if he should 
 settle upon some country district he must lodge in hotels, 
 and when successful in finding emplovmeut, it might only 
 be of a temporary nature, or with undesirable comrades or 
 acquaintances ; and even if the consequences were not 
 demoralising, the diffi^culties and expense ivould be very 
 considerable.* Of course, when experienced in colonial farm 
 life, it would be easy enough to find suitable places, but it 
 is at the commencement that help and guidance are of so 
 
 * See p. 39, W. H. C.
 
 17 
 
 mncli value ; and experience shows that parents are safer 
 in paying a cliarge which, ensures a suitable position, for a 
 certain term, on the arrival of their sons, than in sending 
 them out in a haphazard manner to seek homes for them- 
 selves. A strong confirmation of this view is to be found 
 in the fact that parents who have sent their sons out under 
 our care have, after a fair trial, sent other sons also 
 through our agency. 
 
 Mr. Craig, M.P., writes, 28th December, 1883 :— 
 
 " Dear Sirs, — I have read the enclosed letters, cut from the 
 * Times ' and the * Standard/ written by G-eo. Aitkens, Church of 
 England Missionary, and C. P. Drake. 
 
 ''I do not know whether you have taken any notice of them 
 through the press, but they are entirely contrary to my experience 
 in relation to yourselves, through whom I placed my son to learn 
 farming in America. 
 
 " W hen I arranged with you fifteen months ago to send my son 
 to a respectable farmer in Kentucky, to be employed in such a way 
 as would secure his becoming acquainted with American farming, 
 and enjoying the privileges of a comfortable and respectable home, 
 1 did not doubt that you would discharge faithfully the duties for 
 which I paid the premium. 
 
 " I had, of coiu'se, made very careful inquiry into your position, 
 and ascertained pretty fully the connections you had in America, 
 so that at our interview I felt assured that 1 might safely entrust 
 my son with you to arrange for his being properly attended to. 
 
 " 1 feel it only due to youi'selves to state that L have never paid 
 money for the education of any one of my sons which has been pro- 
 ductive of more satisfactory results than that paid to you. There 
 has been everything done for him that it was possible for a parent to 
 do possessing an intimate knowledge of the country, and after the 
 expiration oi the twelve months, when you were in no way bound 
 to give further assistance, he was fui'nished with such helps by 
 your agents as will, I believe, ensure his future progress. 
 
 " It is of little value to write such letters as those referred to 
 on such a subject. All I can say is, that if i had other sons desirous 
 of following tlie same pursuit, I should have no hesitation in placing 
 them as you might direct, and pay the premium, subject to the 
 conditions and regulations which have proved so satisfactory in 
 the case referred to. 
 
 " What is really required by those desirous of going to America 
 or Canada is employment with some farmer of respectability, and 
 I know of no better method than that pursued by your firm, who 
 stake their reputation upon the faithfulness with which they 
 discharge their obligations. 
 
 B
 
 18 
 
 ** I may say in conclusion tliat I feel very grateful to you for 
 what you have done for my son, at a cost which I deem moderate, 
 and should you refer any one to me I shall be pleased to state my 
 experience to the effect herein expressed. 
 
 '• Tours faithfully, 
 
 " (Signed) \V. Y. CRAIG." 
 *' Messrs. Ford, Eathbone and Co." 
 
 " To Messrs. For<J, Eathbone and Co. 
 
 " Kew, January 4, 1S84. 
 " Dear Sirs, — After the very satisfactory way you have arranged 
 matters for my son in Minnesota, U.S.A., I can do no less than 
 write and thank you. In every way you have acted up to your 
 engagemeuus, and how satisfactory the result has been may be 
 judged of by the fact, that for a total outlay of about d£120, which 
 included his passage and outfit, he is now earning his own liveli- 
 hood, and is well and happy. 
 
 " I was much struck by the kindness of Mr. Eathbone of your 
 firm, who, during his recent sojourn in America, went to see the 
 lad. I'his he was in no way bound to do, and it showed how 
 anxious you are for good results in every case you undertake. 
 
 *' My son seems to like the life, but he is not afraid of work, 
 and as you say in your prospectus, those who are should not go. 
 With best wishes, 
 
 " I remain. Dear Sirs, 
 
 " Yours faithfully, 
 
 " E. MONEif, Lt.-Colonel." 
 
 bilitv^?* The farmers vary in style and education ; they are 
 tlie generally freeholders and independent of criticism. Terms 
 
 Farmers,' of employment on Western farms are made the subject of 
 a close bargain, in which the most experienced parties fare 
 the best. Our experience of farmers, whether native or 
 naturalised, proves the need of intervention and of super- 
 vision on behalf of young Englishmen. 
 
 The best farmers can only be ascertained by careful 
 inquiry, which involves inspection and an expense of time 
 and money. In undertaking this selection we aim at 
 saving the pupil delay and expense. 
 
 Direct vnttrcourse with both farmers and pujpils, and 
 personal examination of quarters, enable us to speak with 
 effect to ail parties. The pupils are placed on the best 
 farms in permanent quarters on the sam3 basis as the 
 larniers' sons, and are rendered independent of the changes, 
 which affect labourers, by special agreements entered into
 
 t 19 
 
 in all cases by the farmer to give board as well as montlily 
 pay and a separate room. 
 
 Sncli an inspection could not be made witli discrimina- 
 tion, and superintendence could not be maintained in many 
 different districts, were we merely commissioned by the 
 farmers to engage and intei'view the pupils. 
 
 The charge paid by the pupil is intended to cover the 
 expense of obtaining authentic information on all points 
 and executing the engagement set out on page 4 (supra), 
 and it is an insurance against risk. 
 
 It should be understood also that the interest Messrs. Interest 
 Ford, Rathbone and Co. take in their pupils does notecase taken, 
 upon their settlement on suitable farms ;'^' they are kept 
 informed of, and report on, their progress, and endeavour 
 to afford the pupils every advice and assistance. The first 
 few months on a farm is probably the most trying time of all, 
 and pupils are requested, as soon as possible after arrival, to 
 write their views, fully and freely, about the living and the 
 work, to assist our judgment, and to show whether the best 
 arrangements under the circumstances have been made : so 
 that if for any reason a change seems necessary (as vrill some- Change of 
 times happen even where the greatest care has been taken ^"^* 
 in selection), it may be made without delay, under proper 
 instructions, and before the contract is closed with the 
 farmer. In any case of douht or dijjictdty, the pupil should 
 at once seek and follow the advice of our local representative, 
 and should also ivrite immediately to this office. Where any 
 change is made without consulting with the resident agent * 
 
 or ourselves, we cannot undertake to be responsible for the 
 result, although at all times, and under all circumstances, 
 the best thing possible in the interest of the pupil will be 
 done. Our interest in his welfare is identical with his own j 
 we take every precaution against dissatisfaction or failure 
 that knowledge and long experience can suggest, and any 
 further modification which appears necessary will at once 
 be adopted. •» e\ ye. 
 
 It is desirable that all who propose to settle in America S^^ ^ ^" 
 should thoroughly understand what the life is like. A success, 
 proper and early understanding of what they may expect 
 
 * See p. 31 
 
 b2
 
 20 
 
 
 has much to do with their ultimate success. Some are 
 sure to say the hardships and difference in living are 
 greater than they anticipated, aiid others similarly circum- 
 stanced will declare that the hfe is by no means so rough as 
 they expected ; all will not meet with the same success, all 
 will not be equally contented. Some, after a thorough trial, 
 m.ay not like the occupation or be fitted for it ; and to these 
 openings in commercial life may present themselves, but 
 such opportunities are not much more numerous there than 
 in England. Others may not do well, from, circumstances 
 over which the agent who places them can have no control ; 
 and some few would be of a class who would not succeed 
 anywhere. For the last, the kindest thing their friends 
 can do is to leave them fairly started, entirely dependent 
 on their own exertions, and not to be continually sending 
 them money from home ; for no one need suffer want who 
 Steadiness has ordinary bodily health ; and the steadiness which this 
 mode of life will sooner or .later beget is an excellent 
 course of training. The moral drawn from Robinson 
 Crusoe, from his experience, will still apply, that " the 
 diligent lived well and comfortably, and the slothful lived 
 hard and beggarly, and so I believe, generally speaking, it 
 ,is all over the world." We cannot be responsible for the 
 consequences of irreyular conduct ; the system here recom- 
 menaed as a safe training and a valuable opening in life is 
 based upon sobriety, steadinesss, self-control, good health and 
 jjrojjer jjhysical capacity. 
 
 We believe that a young man when fairly started 
 should depend for success mainly on his own exertions, and 
 asrree with a recent writer in " rfcribner " that — - 
 
 *o' 
 
 " The young man who is saved from the effort of making his 
 own way in the world, and the necessity of establishing his own 
 position, is denied the most powei-fm stimulus to labour and 
 development. The young men who are coming every year out of 
 the colleges and the professional schools of the country, and 
 starting into active lite, will win success or sink into failure, 
 mainly in accordance with the amount of stimulus under which 
 their education has been acquired. If they have been obliged to 
 labour until they have learned the value or money ; if they have 
 been forced into close economies, and learned also how difficult it 
 is to keep it; if they have grown up with the consciousness upon 
 them that everything they hope for in the world must be won by
 
 ¥ 21 
 
 iiieir own unaided force and industry ; if they have acquired thrifty 
 habits and self -helpfulness and self-trust,— they enter life with 
 great and most assuring advantages." 
 
 It is precisely this training which can be found in the 
 occupation we offer ; but though we can carry out what we 
 nndertake, we cannot always ensure a successful result, nor 
 provide the pupil with a lucrative employment. We can, 
 as Emerson says, " but accompany the youth to the srate of 
 the arena, for it is certain that, not by any strength of ours, 
 but only by the strength of his own, must he stand or fall." 
 Unquestionably in some cases, notwithstanding all the care 
 of ourselves and our agents, signal failure has been more or 
 less the result — less when the pupil has simply been dis- 
 inclined for steady application, more in that of those of 
 dissolute and intemperate habits. But even in these latter 
 and disheartening cases, success is not absolutely hopeless, if 
 friends will be persuaded not to commit the fatal error of 
 continually helping with money young men whom it would 
 be truer kindness to leave to help themselves. The late 
 lamented President Garfield, who rose by his own exertions 
 from the humblest td the highest station in his native 
 country, once observed with homely triteness : — 
 
 " In nine times out of ten, the best thing that can happen to a 
 young man is to be tossed overboard and compelled to sink or 
 swim for himself. In all my acquaintances, I never knew a man 
 to be drowned who was worth saving." 
 
 Proper contracts are entered into by us both with the Agree- 
 farmers and the friends of the pupils, and the fullest parti- JJ^e^its. 
 culars will be given on all points upon which farther infor- 
 mation is desired. "Whenever it is possible, a personal 
 interview is most satisfactory, for the numerous questions 
 which naturally occur can then be more fully answered and 
 explained than by letter. 
 
 Reference will be given to parents whose sons have Refer- 
 gone out (many among the number being the sons of clergy- ences. 
 men, officers, and members of county families), so soon as it 
 has been decided that this proposed occupation and openinsr 
 meet the views of the enquirer ; and we strongly advise aU 
 who msh to send out their sons to make full enquiry, as we
 
 22 
 
 Bankers. 
 
 Competi- 
 tive 
 Systems. 
 
 give numerous references both as to our own responsibility 
 a7id as to the success of our system. 
 
 Cheques on London Bankers should be crossed Messrs. 
 Hoare and Co., 37, Fleet Street, London, E.C. ; cheques on 
 Country Bankers should be crossed Messrs. Melville, Evans 
 and Co., 75, Lombard Street, E.C. Sohcitors inquiring on 
 Solicitors, behalf of clients are referred to Messrs. Ford, Eanken Ford 
 and Ford, Solicitors, 4, South Square, Gray's Inn, London, 
 W.C. 
 
 The method of some of our competitors differs from our 
 own in advocating that sailings should take place in large par- 
 ties, a plan we abandoned more than four years ago as being 
 in no respect so desirable as fi'equent sailings in fewer numbers; 
 for it invariably happens that when large parties go together 
 there will be some whose influence would not be for the 
 good of the rest. Nor are personally conducted sailings 
 necessary, for the arrangements we make for the joiu-ney are 
 so complete that the youngest may accomphsh it 'without 
 mistake or inconvenience, and we take every care necessary 
 to ensure the safe conduct of pupils from the time they leave 
 England until they arrive at their destination. 
 
 In more or less adopting our system, competitors have 
 adopted our terms, although unable to offer the advantages 
 either in choice of locahty or arrangements for settlement 
 which experience has enabled us to do ; while some indeed 
 fix a lower charge, expressly stating that they cannot assume 
 any responsibility whatever as to the settlement or future of 
 the pupils ; a system which obviously affords no guai-antee or 
 security to parents. All coromunications therefore intended 
 for us should be addi'essed to us hj name, as Messrs. Ford, 
 Rathbone aud Co., 21, Finsbmy Pavement, E.C. 
 
 Some systems differ from our own in recommending young 
 men to learn from English gentlemen who have recently 
 settled abroad, and have, therefore, little knowledge of farm- 
 ing ; this plan, which we have referred to on page 9, has a 
 certain attractiveness ; but whilst it offers, possibly, pleasant 
 homes, it could scarcely turn out good fanners. 
 
 A residence in a so-called agricultural college (really only 
 a private establishment) is another plan proposed, as offering 
 the best pieparation for American farm-life. There may
 
 23 
 
 be something to say in favour of such, a training for farming 
 in England, where the system of agriculture is highly 
 artificial, and a knowledge of chemistry, rotation of crops, 
 etc., is essential ; but in America, where agriculture is of a 
 more simple character, the time and money so spent, even 
 if the tuition is good, would be more or less thrown away, 
 and at the end of twelve months less would be known 
 about the real work of the farm than if a pupil had com- 
 menced to plouo^h, and plant, and attend to stock under the 
 watchful eye of an experienced practical farmer. If this 
 course be gone through at all, it should follow a practical 
 training on a farm, and then it should rather bo at one of 
 the numerous agfricultural colleges founded by the respec- 
 tive States or Provinces in which they are situated, and 
 which are usually ably conducted by efficient professors, 
 than at private establishments started as mere speculations. 
 
 Both of the above plans, however, entail a heavy annual 
 outlay for board and other serious items incidental to living 
 in town, whilst the pupil's labour is in the meantime un- 
 productive, and he neither acquires habits of self-reliance 
 nor becomes self-supporting; nor is it, we believe, desirable 
 that young men should associate in large numbers either 
 on farms or in the so-called colleges of those whose chief 
 income is derived from taking papils ; they would be under 
 a more healthy influence and better control when placed 
 singly under the care of a practical farmer, whose income 
 was derived from the profits of his farm, and where the 
 best opportunities are offered for practical instruction and 
 future advancement, with the imposed obligation to work, 
 which would ensure regular habits of industry. 
 
 We believe that the preliminary training we recommend 
 is based upon right principles, and would prove of real and 
 lasting benefit to the pupil, making him self-reliant and 
 independent, and enabling him to do well in any depart- 
 ment of agriculture, and in any State in which he may 
 settle. We purpose, therefore, to follow in the future the 
 system we have adopted in the past. It would be easy, 
 perhaps, for us to send out more young men than we do, if 
 we felt at liberty to offer a less laborious life to sons, even 
 though at a greater cost to their parents ; but this, we are
 
 24 
 
 snre, would ultimately result in disappointment and failure. 
 Those we have hitherto sent out have included the sons or 
 relatives of noblemen, officers, clergymen, solicitors, and 
 country and other gentlemen, and wards in Chancery, and. 
 we are happy to believe that in the case of many for whom 
 no suitable position could be found at home, we have been 
 instrumental in laying the foundation of a manly, honour- 
 able, and prosperous future. 
 
 The system we have initiated has been very generally 
 commended, and our pamphlets describing it have been 
 prepared with a desire to place the matter candidly before 
 inquirers. In evidence that this object has been obtained, 
 quotations may be given from a few of the numerous 
 letters received from correspondents. A clergyman, in 
 writing on this subject, says : 
 
 " I thank you for abstaining from inducing my son to go by 
 any highly. coloured representations of the life there." 
 
 Another writer says of this publication : 
 
 "It makes a most candid statement of the facts, dealing fairly 
 with both sides of the question. There is nothing in it to lead me 
 to expect too much without activity." 
 
 A barrister says of the pamphlet : 
 
 " So far as I can judge from its contents, the system you are 
 working upon is the only true one to command success.'* 
 
 As to the desirability of the life, a gentleman writes : 
 
 " A friend has placed in my hands a pamphlet containing your 
 prospectus (if I may so term it) of an ' occupation and business for 
 gentlemen's sons.' He did so knowing the great interest I had in 
 things American, acquired during a period of sixteen years' resi- 
 dence in the States, and also for the purpose of asking my advice 
 in the matter, in the interest of a friend of his. 
 
 " I have perused the various documents with much interest, 
 and the scheme has my entire approval .... and if any- 
 thing I can say or write will induce any enterprising young man 
 to go out, I shall consider that I am conferring upon him a great 
 favour. 
 
 " Your great difficulty, it strikes me, speaking from an English 
 standpoint, is to make them understand how the dignity of labour 
 is respected in the States . . . ." 

 
 25 
 
 General Ricli writes, January 1st, 1884, from Twyford, 
 Wincliester : 
 
 " If you refer anyone to me I will unliesitatingrly state to them 
 all I have experienced in your assistance to myself and to my son. 
 I have written to you on this point before, and have felt very 
 angry with the correspondence I have read in the newspapers 
 regardir g the agencies of which yours is one. I am fully satisfied 
 that the arrangements you have made, and the assistance you in 
 conjunction with your agents abroad have given my son, are all 
 and everything that a father could expect. You have never 
 wearied in trying to help him, and he has received the greatest 
 kindness throughout, and I have observed that you have always 
 been most desirous to secure his success. I have just heard from 
 my son. He seems very well and writes cheerfully," etc. 
 
 "A. EICH, Lt. -General." 
 
 " Messrs. Ford, Eathbone and Co." 
 
 F. K. B., also quoted below, writes to us, I^ovember 
 11th, 1883, after an experience of one year on a farm in 
 Canada : 
 
 " My year with Mr. W expires, as you are doubtless aware, 
 
 on the 17th inst. From your letters to Mr. W I feel sure you 
 
 will like to know my plans. Mr. W has taken two farms, 
 
 which adjoin each other, and one of which he and I are going to 
 work together, the other being managed by his two sons. 
 
 " Now, gentlemen, I think the mere fact of my electing to 
 
 enter into partnership with Mr. W , living for at least the 
 
 next two or three years with him and his wife, will be s ufficient to 
 show you how well we have got on together. 
 
 " Accept my best thanks for the trouble you have taken on my 
 behalf. 
 
 " I am. Gentlemen, 
 
 " Very truly yours, 
 
 " F. K. B." 
 
 " To Messrs. Ford, Eathbone and Co." 
 
 Mrs. B., mother of F. K. B., writes, December 14th, 
 
 1883: 
 
 "1 beg to acknowledge with many and sincere thanks your 
 kind letter, with the quotations you were good enough to make 
 from others for my perusal. It gives me indeed heartfelt pleasure 
 to find my son continues well and happy in Canada, and that Mr. 
 
 and Mrs. W and he seem so much pleased with each other. I 
 
 think it is a great advantage for my son to remain with such kind 
 friends as they have proved, and to be allowed a share in their 
 new farm, instead of making a separate venture on his own
 
 26 
 
 account. Both my son and myself will, I am sure, always feel 
 grateful to you for your valuable assistance in furtherance of 
 his first start in life, and I never fail to mention my cause for 
 most complete satisfaction whenever occasion offers or friends 
 inquire." 
 
 W. E. S. writes from Ontario, December 2nd, 1883 : 
 
 "Dear Sirs, — I write to tell you that I am perfectly satisfied 
 
 with the farmer with whom your agent, Mr. B , has placed me. 
 
 Mr. W , the farmer that I expected to have gone to, had un- 
 fortunately got a man when I arrived, so I could not go there. 
 The farmer I am with is both kind and considerate towards me, 
 and his family treat me with the greatest kindne?s. Farming out 
 here is, as I expected, very different from England, and the 
 climate is very enjoyable, although very cold just now. The farmer, 
 when I had been here a day or two, told me I was to make myself 
 as much at home as if I was in my own father's house, so you can 
 guess from that what sort of man he is. My opinion of this 
 country is that if a young man comes out here with a thorough 
 determination to work and get on he can do so by perseverance. 
 When I first came here "we had four men draining different fields 
 on the farm, and from conversation vdth them I found they had 
 been farm labourers in Surrey, all four working on the same farm. 
 Their master gave up and they emigrated twelve years ago, and 
 by hard work they got on, and now tAvo of them, brothers, own 
 between them one hundred and sixty acres of land and two span 
 of horses, besides a few cows and pigs. Now, if such men can get 
 on, why cannot young men with good educations get on ? But one 
 thing I would recommend them to do before coming out here, and 
 that is they must leave all pride and fastidiousness behind them. 
 
 I have to-day written to Mr. B with regard to signing the 
 
 contract, as the month is up on Thursday, December 7th. All I 
 can say of your travelling arrangements for young men sent out 
 as I was is that they are eiverything that could be desired. 
 " Wishing you a vast increase in your business, 
 
 " I remain. Sirs, 
 
 "Yours truly." 
 
 The Rev. Dr. J. B. D. writes, January 14th, 1884 : 
 
 ** I have had many letters from strangers to me with inquiries. 
 I have always answered that I am sure you will fulfil your engage- 
 ments and do all that you can for young men sent out through 
 you. Of coui-se there are some who will never do anything for 
 themselves whatever is done for them, bu.t I am convinced that 
 going to a well-selected farmer through you is the best chance ^ 
 young man can have in emigration."
 
 27 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 OPINIONS OF THOSE WHO HAVE GONE AND OF 
 THEIE FRIENDS. 
 
 It has been suggested by several correspondents that a 
 few of the written opinions of the fi'iends of those who 
 have gone out under our care should be appended, so that 
 inquirers may be able at once to form an opinion upon the 
 testimony of those having actual experience of the life as 
 to the advantage of the openings here proposed. We avail 
 ourselves of this suggestion, which will serve at once to 
 place before applicants some idea of the young men's 
 opinion of the life, without requiring at an early stage of 
 the negotiation an actual reference to parents, which we 
 do not always feel at liberty to give unrestrictedly in the 
 first instance, solely because it would be trespassing unduly 
 on their kindness by asking them to engage in such an 
 extensive correspondence as an immediate reference to 
 them would involve. 
 
 For the saJce of hrevity in this edition we omit about 100 
 letters quoted in a former edition. We shall be happy to 
 show the originals of the following extracts, which, with 
 others too numerous to set out, cover the years 1880, 1881, 
 1882, 1883, 1884 and 1885. They relate to Canada, 
 'Tasmania, and the United States. 
 
 Mrs. J. H., November 9th, 1881 : 
 
 " I cannot express the grratitude I feel to your agents in Minnesota 
 America for their trouble with my son, and I am exceedingly 
 rejoiced to find he has listened to them and been induced to go to 
 work again, and I trust he has made up his mind to be contented." 
 
 Again, December 12th, 1881, about her son: 
 
 " He is quite comfortable where he is, and likes his work, par- 
 ticularly that which concerns the animals."
 
 28 
 
 This lady has now sent out another son under our care, 
 and two of her nephews have also gone out. 
 
 J. J. H., November 26th, 1882 : 
 Minnesota ti ]yiy gQ^ jg quite happy and writ^»s in very sfood spirit«. The 
 place and work must agree with him, as he has gained eleven 
 pounds in weight, so I am satisfied the right thing has been done 
 
 for him in sending him t-o a farm. My other son has left Mr. P , 
 
 and has been earning 1 dollar 25 cents a day threshing, and when 
 he wrote had got a fortnight's work at threshing corn for 1 dollar 
 a day ; when that was over he should get into winter quarters. 
 He had 75 cents left of the money he took from home last year, 
 so it is quite evident the lads do not need much money out in the 
 States when they first go. 
 
 " Thanking you for your trouble." 
 
 Mrs. G. B., November 17th, states that her son 
 Minnesota « jg yery happy and comfortable, and that he is very kindly 
 
 treated by Mr. G- , and he hopes, if he suits, that he will be 
 
 kept on the same farm. He appears to like the work, though he 
 says it is hard. He was in very good health when he wrote at 
 the beginning of the month." 
 
 Again, on the 4th January, 1882 : 
 
 I am glad to be able to tell you that I continue to receive 
 very satisfactory accounts from my son in Minnesota. He likes 
 
 Mr. G * and his family more and more every day. I must 
 
 thank you for having placed him in such a comfortable home." 
 
 And on March 22nd, 1882 : 
 
 " T enclose a letter for your perusal which I have received 
 
 from Mr. B. G , in which he writes so nicely and kindly of my 
 
 son. I have also received another very nice kind letter from 
 
 Mrs. G . I am much indebted to you for having interested 
 
 yourselves so much in my son's behalf. He is so happy, and all 
 the family are very fond of him. My son writes me that he 
 would do anything for them." 
 
 Minnesota 
 
 E. B., January 28th, 1883 : 
 
 " Accept my best thanks for your kind letter. Mr. F 's 
 
 information respecting my son Willie is most satisfactory, and I 
 feel very thankful that my son is with such good people. I have 
 heard frequently lately from my son, and am so glad he is to re- 
 main another year with Mr. G . I am quite sure he could not 
 
 be in bettor hands. I have heard also from Mrs. G very 
 
 recently ; she is very kind to my son."
 
 29 
 
 The Rev. G. F. writes, August 18th, 1881 : 
 
 " I hare received a short letter from my son telling me of his Minnesota 
 
 safe arrival at the farm. He speaks very highly of Mr. C and 
 
 his family, and expresses a hope that as soon as he is settled he 
 shall be very happy indeed." 
 
 Again, January 12th, 1882 : 
 
 " I had a very nice cheery letter from my boy yesterday. He 
 
 seems now very happy, and much enjoyed his visit to Mr. T . 
 
 I quite agree with wiiat Mr. T says about what young men 
 
 wlio go out to America must do and be in order to succeed. 
 
 '* 1 have received a letter concerning your system from Messrs. 
 
 M and W . You may depend upon my speaking (as I am 
 
 glad to be able to do) in the hignest terms of gratitude tor what 
 you have done for me." 
 
 Again, on April 17th, 1882, and 3rd August, 1883 : 
 
 " I am glad to say that I had a happy, cheerful letter from my 
 boy a week ago. He speaks very highly of the kind treatment he 
 receives.'"' — " My boy writes cheerily." 
 
 Again, February 6th, 1884 : 
 
 " I had a letter from my son to-day. . . . He says he is in 
 wonderfully good health and very happy." 
 
 H. D. F., January 25th, 1882 : 
 
 " I have to thank you for your letter of 24th inst., forwarding 
 me cheque for ^t^6 16s., being the sum in full which I paid to you 
 as premium and passage money for my nephew, who at the last 
 moment declined to go to Kentucky, as I had wished him to do. 
 I consider it most handsome of you to have returned this sum to 
 me, as you were put to much trouble and some expense in the 
 matter, for which you might justly have charged me. I would add 
 that after the fullest inquiry i convinced myself that the employ- 
 ment ottered to young gentlemen through your agency is of the most 
 promising kind for tneir future advancement in lite, and I shall 
 lake every opportunity to recommend my friends to apply to you." 
 
 Messrs. R. & D., Solicitors, Edinburgh, write January 
 25th, 1882 : 
 
 " You are quite welcome to use our name in any of your Scotch Minnesota 
 cases in which you think we may be of assistance to you." 
 
 Mrs. S. C, March 28th, 1882 : 
 
 " I hav« just heard from my son ... he asked me te let Wisconsin
 
 80 
 
 you know that he is very comfortable; likes Mr. B— and his 
 wife very much ; they are both kind to him, and though the work 
 is hard and plenty of it, he likes it." 
 
 Again, April 14th, 1882 : 
 
 " I am very glad my son is going to stay at the same farm ; he 
 
 likes Mr. B so much, and is getting into the work. Will you 
 
 kindly send oae of your pamphlets and particulars to the enclosed 
 address ? " 
 
 Again, June 21st, 1882 : 
 
 " 1 often hear from my son, and he seems well content with 
 his life, and speaks highly of the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. B ." 
 
 -Mrs. M. S., March 31st, 1882 : 
 
 Kentucky. "My son tells me he likes the life very much indeed ; that it 
 agrees wonderfully well with him. He names several friends he 
 intends trying to persuade to go out. Should you like to refer 
 any one to me, 1 shall be very Happy to answer any questions, as 
 I can now recommend your system of sending young men out 
 most cordially." 
 
 The Rev. G. H. B., April 5th, 1882 : 
 
 Kentacky, " ^^7 son gives a good account of himself, and of all the pro- 
 visions you had made for his being met and forwarded on with his 
 luggage. He seems to like his new life very much, and finds his 
 quarters comfortable. . . . He has met several of your young 
 men, who give a pleasant and favourable account of the life, which 
 they seem to enjoy." 
 
 Again, February 20th, 1883 : 
 
 " He seems quite hapj^y and contented so far as his work and 
 position go. The only objection to his remaining where he is for 
 another summer is that he had a slight sunstroke last year, and 
 though he soon apparently got over it, we know he will be more 
 liable to one another year." 
 
 Lt.-Col. J. E. K., April 29th, 1882 : 
 
 Wiscoisin " Each successive step has given us more and more cause for 
 satisfaction with the completeness of your arrangements." 
 
 Again, May 22nd, 1882 : 
 
 " 1 am happy to say that from no one have 1 heard a word 
 against your institution, except from those who are engaged in a 
 similar occupation. The experience of every one I have seen or
 
 31 
 
 heard of seems to be most favourable ; I have therefore an easy as 
 well as pleasant task in giving the results of my inquiries to those 
 who ask for them." 
 
 Again, June 9th, 1882 : 
 
 " There could be no better recommendation of your scheme 
 than is afforded by the tone and contents of your correspondence/* 
 
 Again, June 14th, 1882 : 
 
 " I have bad a very nice letter from my son ; the farmer and 
 his wife are most kind to him, and the boy is thoroughly happy 
 and very well." 
 
 Again, July 10th, 1882 : . 
 
 " I have had a most delightful letter from my son this morning 
 . . . . he says he is very busy, very happy, and very comfort- 
 able/' 
 
 Again, October 11th, 1884 : 
 
 " If I can help you at any time I shall be very glad. The 
 interest you have always taken in my son, and the ready help you 
 have afforded, have been uniform in my two and a half years' 
 experience." 
 
 0. L., May 3rd, 1882 : 
 
 " I have a letter from my son at Wisconsin, in which he states Wisconsin 
 
 he likes his quarters So far I am perfectly satisfied 
 
 with your arrangements." 
 
 Again, June 22nd, 1882 : 
 
 *' I thank you very much for your attention The 
 
 whole thing confirms my opinion in the advantages of your agency, 
 so much so that 1 prefer leaving the case in the hands of Major 
 M to use his discretion." 
 
 Again, March 7th, 1883 : ' 
 
 " I have had very good letters from my sons, E and H , 
 
 at P . The former seems as well as ever he was. He speaks 
 
 very gratefully of Major M 's kindness, to whom I will write 
 
 to add my thanks. Major M has from first to last done every- 
 thing well and to me very satisfactorily." 
 
 The Rev. A. M. G., Edinburgh, June 5th, 1882 : 
 
 " I had a letter from a young gentleman in England inquiring, Canada. 
 very properly, what report my son gives of his treatment by your
 
 32 
 
 Ontario, house and its agents in America. I was very glad that I could 
 truthfully report that you had acted towards my son honestly, 
 honourably, and kindly." 
 
 Again, January 5th, 1883 : 
 
 " I beg to thank you for your kind letter of yesterday and for 
 the information it conveyed to me. I hear every ten days from 
 my son. He writes in good health and spirits, and he has always 
 
 found Mr. P friendly and pleasant. I have the impression, 
 
 however, that he will not remain in Canada, but I am sure that 
 his sojourn there has in several respects done him good. He 
 
 enjoys his work, he enjoys Mr. P 's house, and he enjoys 
 
 pleasant society at O ." 
 
 H. J. C, July 8th, 1882 : 
 
 Wisconsin " B says they are all very kind to him at Mr. A 's, and 
 
 likes the life very much. He speaks of the people he meets as 
 being much better educated than he expected to lind them." 
 
 C. E. F., July 20th, 1882 : 
 
 Ontario. " He writes in excellent spirits, and says : — ' I think this life 
 
 will suit me down to the ground. I coula not be \inder a better 
 
 man than the young K ; he is an exceptionally good fellow. 
 
 We have good food, and plenty of it.' " 
 
 E. T. M. K., August 30th, 1882 : 
 
 Ontario. " I have heard frequently from my son in Ontai'io. He writes 
 
 in good spirits, and enjoys tne life he is leading. He says : 'The 
 work at this time of the year is hiard ; ' but then he does more 
 
 than Mr. P expects from him, and is determined that he will 
 
 make himself thoroughly useful, and not be outdone by any one 
 
 on the farm. He also says : ' Mr. P is now giving me twenty 
 
 dollars a month, which is to continue through the summer, and 
 has promised me ten dollars a month thrt/Ugh the winter.' In 
 anotner letter, received about a fortnight ago, he says : ' 1 wish 1 
 
 had brought out a gun or ride and some tisiiing-tacKile, as P 
 
 always goes out for a hunting excui'sion in the tall for a fortnight 
 or three weeks, and he is going to take me with him to shoot deer 
 
 and to fish, so I must get a rine somehow. P also hopes to 
 
 give me a chance of meeting with bears and a few wolves after 
 tne harvest.' My son likes the country very much, and, being 
 near a lake, he enjoys the opportunity, which he occasionally has, 
 of boating and sAvimming, m both of which exercises he is an 
 expert. He further says: '1 have been here just two months, and 
 I ao not think that any other life would really have suited me so 
 well, except the army.' "
 
 33 
 
 Again, March 4th, 1883 : 
 
 "My son lias now liad nearly ten months' experience on the 
 farm in Ontario, on which you placed him. You will be glad to 
 hear that he is getting on famously, and thoroughly enjoys the 
 life he is leading. He can tui-n his hand to anything. He seems 
 to excel in ploughing and threshing, and he has the care of the 
 horses, cows, sheep, and pigs, so I think he is learning the busi- 
 ness of a Canadian farmer well. He speaks with gratitude of the 
 
 kindness of Mr. and Mrs. P , and the good care they take of ' 
 
 him. The life agrees with him remarkably well, and exactly suits 
 him, so much so that he says he would not exchange it for any 
 other. The past winter has been unusually cold in Ontario j 
 colder than has been known there for fifty years, the thermometer 
 
 having been 1-1;"* below zero„in the neighbourhood of E Lake, 
 
 where my son is, but he has not suffered from it at all. Mr. P 's 
 
 house is very comfortable and well built. My son likes the place 
 so well that he will probably remain there another year before 
 taking land on his own account. 
 
 *' I had a nice letter from Mr. P last month, in which he 
 
 expresses entire satisfaction with my son's conduct ; the admir- 
 able way in which he has taken in hand all kinds of farm work j 
 and the interest he takes in everything relating to Canadian iarm- 
 ing. He has no doubt that my son will be a successful farmer. 
 
 "Thanking your fixm f or your advice and assistance in the 
 matter." 
 
 L. C. E. F. writes September, 6th, 1882 : 
 
 " I have much pleasure in saying that I am perfectly happy Ontario^ 
 and comfortable, and in every way satisfied. I have a very nice 
 room and comfortable }jed, etc. \v ith regard to instruction, I am 
 able to say it has been given to me in a polite and painstaking , 
 
 way. The usual time of getting up in the morning is five o'clock. 
 One generally gets about one hour and a half rest at noon, going 
 out to work again about one till five, when you have supper, from 
 which you go straight to work again till about sundown, .when the 
 horses and other animals have to be fed, etc. 
 
 " This is a first-rate life for a young fellow to lead if he is 
 strong and throws himseK right into the work." 
 
 We have permission to insert the following, which was 
 written by the parent of a pupil in Ontario, to another 
 seeking information : 
 
 " 28th Oct., 1882. Ontario. 
 
 " Dear Sir, — I have received a great number of letters from 
 parents anxious to settle their sons since my second son went to 
 Canada in July last, and the same answer may be given in every 
 case. You caanot do better than follow the advice given in the 
 
 C
 
 Ontario. 
 
 Ontario. 
 
 31 
 
 little pamphlet pubHshed by the American Colonisation Company, 
 and tiike your son with you to the office in i^insbury Pavement 
 and talk the matter over with the people there. My son is with a 
 farmer in Ontario, a Scotchman and thorough gentleman. He 
 and my son get on capitally. My son likes the life, and is already 
 laying by money ; not much, tis 'true, but enough to show that the 
 life pays, besides being very enjoyable. Now this farmer's name 
 
 was given to me by Mr. , the first that came to hand on his 
 
 list, with the information that another pupil had declined to go 
 there, because the boy thought the place was too far from a town. 
 My son went there, and, as he says in his letters, ' has fallen on 
 his legs and no mistake.' Another pupil went to the same part 
 with his father, and when the time came for the father to return, 
 the young gentleman prevailed on his father to bring him back to 
 England. 1 give you these two instances to show that my son 
 seems to have succeeded where two others failed, and my own 
 experience of more than thirty years out of England, in India 
 and the colonies, goes to prove the same, that it depends entirely 
 on the young men themselves whether they get on or not in the 
 colonies. We hear every fortnight from my son, who ploughs, 
 drives home cattle, milks cows, and looks after horses and pigs, 
 and works with the farmer Hke our farm labourers in England, 
 and probably much harder, and yet finds time to write long 
 and amusing letters to us, and he and the farmer turn out 
 like gentlemen on Sunday, and go to their respective churches. 
 If young men are steady and not afraid of work, they will succeed, 
 but if they loaf about and take a lot of money out with them, 
 they get into a bad way very soon. 
 
 '' Toui's faithfully, 
 " G. H. G., Esq." (Signed) '' W. H. S., Major-General." 
 
 "P.S. — We send our son the county paper every week, and 
 he is only four miles from a town, so I think his two predecessors} 
 were rather easily daunted." 
 
 Mys. B., mother of F. K. B., quoted above, Janiiary 
 12tli, 1883 : 
 
 " I am glad to tell you that my son writes quite cheerfully and 
 contentedly, appearing fully satisfied with all the arrangements 
 
 you and your agents made for him. Mr. and Mrs. W seem 
 
 nice, kind people, with whom he anticipates getting on famously." 
 
 J. H., January 16th, 1883 : 
 
 " I thank you very much for your satisfactory letter relating 
 to my son William H . I have been for some time in corres- 
 pondence with Mr. N about his remaining at his farm another 
 
 year, and we have made arrangements for him t« do so."
 
 85 
 
 F. W., January 30th, 1883, respecting J. T. W., quoted 
 below : • 
 
 " I must again assure you of jay entire satisfaction with all Wisconsin 
 you have done for him." 
 
 C. F. T., February, 1883 : 
 
 " I get up at five in the morning, and, as a rule, go to bed at Iowa 
 
 about eight. The work, of course, is hard to one at first, but I 
 shall soon get over that ; the food I get here is excellent, far from 
 what I expected, and my bed is just as good as I had at home. 
 I have now been here long enough to know that every young f f How 
 who comes over here, and has made up his mind to work, can get 
 on, but he must equal himself with every one. I am afraid I have 
 no more to say, except I must thank you for having placed me in 
 such a comfortable home." 
 
 M. T., February 2nd, 1883, respecting tbe same pupil : 
 
 " He sends long and amusing accounts of his new life, and is 
 most thoroughly happy and contented. He quite appreciates the 
 
 advantage of being with so nice a family, and speaks of the I s 
 
 with affection and respect." 
 
 W. Y. C, also quoted above, February 20fch, 1883 : 
 
 " I only came to town a few days ago, and as soon as I could Kentucky, 
 spare an hour I had intended calling upon you to thank you for 
 the very satisfactory arrangements you made for my son in 
 Kentucky. 
 
 " My son writes in excellent spirits, and likes the work exceed- 
 ingly. He is very happy, and speaks of Mr. and Mrs. in the 
 
 highest terms. 
 
 " He is a' very clever and talented lad, full of romance, and 
 nothing will more conduce to his future prosperity and well-being 
 than plenty of good hard and useful work. He seems very deter, 
 mined to learn the work, and become a first-class farmer." 
 
 The following was received from Mrs. S. C, quoted 
 abo^e, on being informed that her son had formed an 
 engagement with a farmer for his second year on improved 
 terms ; dated 9th April, 1883 : 
 
 " Thanks for your letter received yesterday telling me of the Wisconsin 
 
 engagement made by my son with Mr. E . I had heard from 
 
 bim that it was likely to be. He writes cheerfully, likes his work, 
 and speaks very highly of the kindness and attention of your agent. 
 Major M 
 
 " Thanking you very much for the satisfactory manner in 
 
 c 2
 
 86 
 
 wKicli you have carried out all you undertook to do for my boy, 
 and wishing you success with other* clients/' etc. 
 
 Minnesota Mrs. H., alluded to above, who has sent oat two sons to 
 Wisconsin and Minnesota, writes, April 12th, 1883 : 
 
 "Wisconsin " Johnny wrot^ that he had written to his brother to ask if 
 there was an opening for him in Minnesota, and what Jim was 
 going to do. Jim wrote to me a short time ago and said he should 
 get $20 a month, for he was able to do all sorts of work and was 
 as strong as the run of men. He liked the farm work, so had 
 declined the offer of a place in a store. Johnny has always spoken 
 
 in the highest terms of Major M 's kindness when he had seen 
 
 him, and also that he has frequently received newspapers from him, 
 which is an exceeding great kindness. It is an inestimable boon 
 that some one will care for the young lads in a strange land." 
 
 S. M., 10th May, 1883 : 
 
 Minnesota " I have to thank you for the good selection of farmers you 
 
 have made for me and B . I am very happy here indeed, and 
 
 like the work and my new life very much. Mr. G is very kind 
 
 to me and we get on very well together." 
 
 Professor M. (father of above), May 14th, 1884: 
 
 " You may rely on my being at all times ready to do what little I 
 can by way of showing my sense of your kindness to my two boys.*' 
 
 J. C. G. writes, May llth, 1883 : 
 
 Wisconsin **1 find that with Mr. W. W I am very comfortable, and 
 
 that he and his wife are very kind and do all they can to make 
 me feel as much at home as possible. Indeed I don't think I could 
 be more comfortably placed. I should certainly like now to com- 
 plete the arrangements for my stay with him (Mr. AY ■ ) for the 
 twelve months. I find the work seems to suit me very well, and I 
 may say I like the life very much." 
 
 "W. G., his brother, writes : 
 
 '•"lagree with the above as applies to Mr. W. J. W." (the 
 brother of Mr. W. W.), " with whom I am placed." 
 
 H. J. writes from Nebraska, June, 1883 : 
 
 Nebraska. " Just a line to say I am very pleased mth the farm Mr. H 
 
 has selected for me. I think it is the best for some miles, Mr. and 
 Mrs. B. being particularly kind, making me as comfortable as I 
 
 could wish. I often see Mr. H ^ who is very kind in arranging 
 
 and seeing to things I require. I am not at ail sorry I came out 
 h«re."
 
 37 
 
 R. L. W., June, 1883: 
 
 '* I have delayed writing to you until I became thoroughly Nebraska 
 acquainted with this country. Of course, at first things seemed 
 very strange, as one has to do a certain amount of roughing it. 
 This I soon got over, and am now become acclimatised, and am 
 really pleased both with this State and also with the location you 
 
 chose foi* me. B is, as you can imagine, an extremely 
 
 uncouth man, being the first to settle in this valley, but at the 
 same time he is a first-rate farmer and a good judge of cattle and 
 a wonderfully friendly sort of fellow in his way. He has done 
 everything to suit me as far as he is able. This, so far as I can 
 learn, is the condition of most of the pupils in this neighbourhood. 
 
 I see K very frequently, and he is getting on very well now, 
 
 although at first he was not very contented ; and, quite naturally, 
 one coming from civilisation would think this very awful, but after 
 a month or so all this wears off. Certainly the climate out here is 
 most healthy and invigorating. Mr. H is a thorough English- 
 man, and so seems to know what one requires, and aeems always 
 ready to put everything straight whenever any difficulty arises. 
 
 -Cn conclusion I may say that I am perfectly contented with B , 
 
 his farm, and the country generally, and propose to settle out 
 here." 
 
 Dr. H. C. writes, June 28fch, 1883 : 
 
 " My son tells me he is very happy in M , and speaks in the Wisconsin 
 
 highest terms of that ' worthy man,' Mr. C , whom he reveres. 
 
 The prospect you held out to me when I sent my son out to America 
 has, I freely and gratefully acknowledge, been realised already, 
 although he has been only a short time there ; and I think I may 
 venture to say that by his industry and fidelity to his employer, 
 and the employer's kindness to him, he is laying the foundation 
 of future success." , 
 
 E. Y. writes, June 24th, 1883, from Manitoba : 
 
 " I like C— — and his wife very much, and I have no doubt I Manitoba. 
 shall get on well. I am getting great at milking cows. I am 
 going to grow some celery for him if I can get the plants, so if you 
 come up this way you can bring some up," etc., etc. 
 
 ^ Mr. M. H, Y., brother to Mr. E. Y., wiites to ourselves, 
 July 16th : 
 
 " I have just received a letter from my brother, in which he 
 
 speaks very well of both Mr. and Mrs. C , and says they make 
 
 him very comfortable. He appears to like his new occupation," 
 etc., etc. 
 
 H. T. C, writes, July 1st, to ourselves : ' 
 
 *' I am much pleased with the farm and people that you placed Kentucky,
 
 88 
 
 me on, and I would not change for any other farm in the county. 
 I am getting used to hard work, and like the life well, and I shall 
 certainly advise any friends who may desire to come out here to 
 apply to you ; in fact I have written by the same mail as this letter 
 goes by to a friend who expressed a wish to come out to the States 
 to apply at once to you if he still wishes to come out. Please use 
 this letter in any way you think fit, if it will be any good to you," 
 etc. 
 
 Mrs. 0. (mother of above), January 1st, 1884 : 
 
 " He has a most comfortable home with nice people, and has 
 received a small salary from the first. His letters are cheerful 
 and happy, and he seems thoroughly to enjoy the life." 
 
 J. G. G. writes, August 12th, 1883 : 
 Ontario. « I ^^^^ ^^ ^-^^^ farm on the 28th of March last. The name of 
 
 the farmer is D. S. His brother J. S. farms with him also. I 
 think they are both very nice young men, and they treat me like 
 one of themselves." 
 
 Mrs. G. writes, August 17th, 1883 : 
 
 ^°^*- " I am much obliged by your letters telling me of my son, and 
 
 it will also be a satisfaction to you to know I have heard from him, 
 ^ and he tells me he does not think he could be more comfortably 
 placed. 
 
 " I must thank you for your kindness and courtesy to myself 
 and also for the arrangements you made for my son, which enabled 
 him to travel so comfortably and safely." 
 
 R. P. H. writes, August 23rd, 1883 : 
 
 Wisconsin « My son has always spoken in high terms of Mr. F., and, 
 though he has had a year of hard work, he feels that he has 
 acquired a good practical knowledge of farming operations, which 
 I hope he will turn to good account." 
 
 Mrs. Y. writes, August 24th, 1883 : 
 
 Manitoba. " I am much pleased to have so favourable a report of my son 
 
 E , and also to tell you that in his letters home he has always 
 
 written cheerfully and appears contented and happy." 
 
 H. B. S. writes, August 31st, 1883 : 
 
 Ontario. *' . . . received a very satisfactory letter from my brother 
 
 (Mr. F. W. B. S. ) from the farm, in which he speaks highly of the 
 farm, farmer and neighbourhood." 
 
 Mrs. E. R. P. writes, 3rd October, 1883 : 
 Kentucky. « I have letters from my son ; he tells me he is quite happy.
 
 39 
 
 that he finds Mr. L. a * jovial old fellow ' and his sons nice boys. 
 He appears to like the work, and tells me there are 150 horses and 
 75 mules on the property. I am greatly comforted to have so 
 cheering a letter, for I feared he might find the work irksome, if 
 not very hard." 
 
 And again, on January l7tli, 1884 : 
 
 " I have the most satisfactory and happy letters from son, and 
 I am sure I should be glad in any way to bear testimony to your 
 kind offices in placing him." 
 
 And again, December 4th, 1,883 : 
 
 " Pray accept my thanks for the kindness and trouble you 
 have taken in placing my son so satisfactorily. I have every 
 reason to be pleased with the result. 
 
 R- F. F. writes, October 4tli, 1883, to our agent : 
 
 " I am still very satisfied with the farm you have placed me on, Kentucky, 
 and like the life very much." 
 
 W. H. C. writes, May 14th, 1884, from Iowa : 
 
 " I have been asked by various people again and again why we Iowa, 
 don't come out here 'on our own hook,' and save a certain amount 
 of money by hiring ourselves to some farmer ? My answer always 
 has been that the experience we gain repays tenfold any expense. 
 
 " To begin with, if an Englishman comes out here to hire 
 himself on a farm, he probably will have to wait about a month or 
 more if there is no one he knows to go to ; tjien supposing he does 
 hire himself to a farmer, his pay for the first few months will cer- 
 tainly be no more than he gets by means of this Agency, and 
 probably not so much, and the farmer is certain to make him act 
 as the errand-boy for all the hands. 
 
 " But the chief argujnent, it seems to me, in favour of this 
 Agency is that the farmer, whose farm he has not had the trouble 
 and delay of finding for himself, will always treat him with a 
 certain amount of respect — in fact, on all the farms where I've seen 
 English boys, and certainly on my own, we have been treated as 
 members of the family. 
 
 " The monthly pay I've found to be ample for everything, pro- 
 vided everything sufficient for winter is brought from home, and 
 his experience is worth three or four bonuses. 
 
 " And, lastly, let me add that Englishmen coming here could 
 not find kinder people than your agents, or more careful over our 
 interests ; and, for myself, I shall never forget their kindness and 
 hospitality to me." 
 
 The Rev. T. C. C, his father, wrote, 2nd June, 1884 : 
 ^' I am glad that my son wrote to you, expressing his thanks. Iowa.
 
 40 
 
 I tWnk he has every reason to be satisfied with the manner in 
 which yon carried out what you undertook for him." 
 
 Mr. C. S. writes, October 8th, 1883 : 
 
 Ontario. " I am glad to state that the reports I get from my son are 
 
 first-rate. He likes the farmer and his wife, etc. He seems to 
 have made a trouble of nothing, and has buckled to work with a 
 will." 
 
 R. P. S. writes, October 23, 1883 : 
 
 Ontario, ee j desire especially on my own part to express my entire 
 
 satisfaction with all the negotiations that have passed between 
 yourselves and myself. I have from first to last been treated with 
 candour, courtesy and consideration, greater even than I could 
 have expected, and I feel confident that your Company would 
 have carried out to its entirety the contract (which I freely 
 entered into after making many inquiries and being perfectly 
 satisfied with the results), had not my son's sudden attack of 
 illness unfortunately necessitated his return to England for a 
 while. 
 
 " I do not know what we phould have done but for the Company 
 and its agents abroad when my son's illness occurred, and I beg to 
 tender you my best thanks for the kind interest you have taken in 
 arranging for his medical treatment, and for obtaining information 
 so speedily, and for providing in advance the necessary funds for 
 his care and for his passage back to England." 
 
 J. E. A. writes from Ontario, October 28th, 1883 : 
 
 OntariOi " Canada seems to me very like the old country, and my ideas 
 
 of having to rough it have been by no means realised. I have not 
 felt the least bit homesick, and have not the slightest wish to 
 return home. 
 
 " I have found your agents kindness itself, and your arrange- 
 ments most complete." 
 
 H. H. writes, October 29tli, 1883, from Nebraska: 
 
 Nebraska, « ^^ I have purchased the farm on which I have been placed, 
 and intend starting for myself next spring, I shall consequently 
 require a good many things from England, and should be much 
 
 obliged if yoa would inform Mrs. H as to the best way of 
 
 sending things out here, and if you would also give her any other 
 instructions as to packing, etc. I am much pleased with the 
 country, and have been purchasing stock, and intend to go in 
 solely for cattle and hogs, as there is an almost imbounded range 
 
 up here. Mr. P is, I think, now content, though somewhat 
 
 ^.msettled at first. I think, from all accounts, that this seems the 
 best part of Central Nebraska, and all land in this county is bought
 
 41 
 
 up and is selling high. Anytime that any of your firm are in 
 this part of the world, I hope you will make my house your tem- 
 porary home." 
 
 TLe Rev. Gr. C. writes, October .31st, 1883: 
 
 " I am obliged to go out to-day or I should have written to Quebec. 
 thank you for the very satisfactory letter respecting my son. On 
 Monday evening we received a long letter from him exactly to the 
 same ekecij. He expresses himself quite pleased and happy, and 
 I doubt not will continae to be so." 
 
 Again, February 21st, 1884 : 
 
 '' Indeed we are so satisfied that we have spoken very favour- Ontario. 
 ably of your firm to several parties, and have advised the sending 
 of their sons in the same way." 
 
 Mrs. L. S. writes, jSTovember 7th, 1883 : 
 
 " I frequently hear from him, and he seems very happy, and Ontario. 
 likes the life in Canada very much." 
 
 F. G-. H. B. writes, November 17tb, 1883, after two 
 years' experience as a pupil in Wisconsin : 
 
 " I arrived home safely on the 29th of October, after a very Wisconsin 
 pleasant though rather long voyage. I expect to be in town either 
 next week or the week after, and will then call on you. I can 
 only say now, after nearly two years' experience, that I have 
 never regretted going under your system, and only wish I had 
 gone sooner." * 
 
 F. H. H. writes, December, 1883 : 
 
 '' If you happen to be writing to Ford, Rathbone & Co., you Minnesota 
 can tell them that I am exceedingly pleased with all the arrange- 
 ments they have made. They r&ade me think that the life here 
 
 would be rougher than it really is. Mr. C makes a splendid 
 
 agent, as he looks me up from time to time, although I am thirty- 
 five miles from him." 
 
 W. J. p. writes from Kentucky, December 1st, 1883 : 
 
 " I am almost as comfortable with Mr. J as I should be at Kentucky. 
 
 home. Of course the living is totally different, but as far as kind- 
 ness goes I have nothing to complain of. Mr. J is a very 
 
 considerate man, and does not expect from me any more than I 
 can do. With regard to the work, I found it rather hard at first, 
 but I am getting quite accustomed to it by this time. On the 
 whole I Jike farming very well. My friends the o^her English- 
 men out here are, I tliink, very comfortable."
 
 42 
 
 J. J. W. writes from Wisconsin, December 4th, 1883 : 
 
 Wisconsin " Just a line to you to say how I am getting on. My year 
 with Mr. C was up on September 30th, but I made arrange- 
 ments with Mr. C to stay with him for two months longer for 
 
 18 dollars per month. I have great pleasure in writing you that 
 since I have been in the States I have met with nothing but kind- 
 ness, and the people I am with have treated me with nothing but 
 kindness, in fact as well as one of their own children ; and though 
 American manners and Western customs are very different to 
 ours in England, still I am getting used to them now. Before I 
 came out here I was in Otago, New Zealand, and I must say that 
 I prefer the States to any one of the Australian Colonies. I am 
 sure that if the other fellows have had as good a place as I have 
 had that they can have nothing to complain of. I intend to stay 
 here the greater part of the winter, and in the beginning of next 
 year to go through the northern part of this State to Minnesota, 
 and I hope, if all is well, to be able to pay a short visit to England 
 next winter, and then I expect my mother to return to the States 
 with me. I cannot close without saying a word for your agent, 
 who I and everybody I have seen eay 'he is the right man in the 
 right place.' I don't think any one could treat us better or more 
 kindly." 
 
 Mrs. C. writes, December 23rd : 
 
 Kentucky « It is a great comfort to us to know that he is so well placed ; 
 all his letters to us have been in a thoroughly contented, happy 
 strain." 
 
 Mrs. D. writes, December lltb, 1883 : 
 
 Kentucky. " My son writes very happily, and Hkes Mr. K and his work 
 
 very much." 
 
 Mrs. T. writes respecting her son in I^ebraska, May 
 2nd, 1884 : 
 
 Nebraska, " We have received two letters from my son since he arrived at 
 
 G . In both of them he speaks most highly of the kindness of 
 
 Mr. A and family. He says they are all very anxious to assist 
 
 him in learning his work. The farm and farmhouse are the best 
 anywhere about, with good cattle and horses. 
 
 " I must thank you for your kind courtesy in letting us know of 
 my son's arrival and for the very satisfactory manner in which all 
 the arrangements made by your firm have been carried out, an4l 
 wish you all success in the future." 
 
 And again, June 30th, 1884 : 
 
 ''We have letters from him every fortnight. He continues to 
 speak cheerfully of his work, which, of coursej as he expected, is
 
 43 
 
 very hard, but he says he is very comfortable and he is twice the 
 man for health that he was." 
 
 And again writes, December 3rd, 1884, respecting her 
 son in I^ebraska : 
 
 " He was settled there and was very comfortable. He has got 
 his health wonderfully and is twice the man he was, and the 
 climate is lovely. 
 
 " With best wishes for the success of your Company." 
 
 The Rev. J. B. writes, 5th May, 1884, respecting his 
 son in Missouri : 
 
 "1 beg to thank you for your letter, which gives me much Missouri, 
 pleasure. 
 
 " I have always received very satisfactory reports from my son 
 as to the comfortable quarters in which he is placed with Mr. 
 
 McC , and I am glad to hear that Mr. McC is also pleased 
 
 with the boy's conduct and progress." 
 
 Lieutenant- Colonel 0. writes. May 21st, 1884 : 
 
 " I must thank you for the trouble you have taken in selecting Iowa. 
 such a good farm for the lad ; he speaks highly in a letter to me of 
 the kindness shown him both by Mr. and Mrs. B . 
 
 " I think you have very accurately described the work, the kind 
 of food, and the life generally a boy has to lead who selects 
 American farming as a means of livelihood, and it is his own fault 
 if he does not succeed. 
 
 " I shall be happy to recommend your firm to any parents who 
 may be desirous of sending a son to learn farming in America or 
 the Colonies," , 
 
 Mrs. C. writes, 9th June, 1884 : 
 
 " My son has got on very well with Mr. P . He has worked Ontaric. 
 
 the farm chiefly himself, and feels quite capable of starting for 
 himself at the end of the year, 
 
 " He is in very good health and spirits, has thrown himself 
 entirely into his work, and is now eagerly looking forward to the 
 time when he can begin work for himself." 
 
 And again, October 1st, 1884 : 
 
 " He is fairly embarked now, under the. guiding hand and advice 
 of Mr. B , whom he consults on all points of business." 
 
 Mrs. P. writes, June 16th, 1884 : 
 
 " Three letters have been received from them ; the last arrived Iowa. 
 so lately as the 16th inst., and in all they expretsed themselves ,
 
 44 
 
 quite satisfied -mtli the arrangements made, and appear in all- 
 reepects to be happy and contented." 
 
 Mr. A. C. B. writes, respecting an old pnpil, June 16tli, 
 
 1884: 
 
 Wisconsin " I am glad to say my brother is doing very well, and has now 
 bought a farm of his own, and working it with great success." 
 
 A. C. A. writes from Tasmania, June 17tli, 1884 : 
 
 Tasmaria. " I am very pleased with the work and with the treatment I 
 have received." 
 
 Mr. W. H. 0. writes, June 18th, 1884 : 
 
 Ontario. *' It occurs to me, whilst writing to you, to say that in every letter 
 from my son he expresses nought but entire satisfaction with every- 
 thing at Mr. H 's farm. No complaint of any sort has reached 
 
 me." 
 
 Mr. C. C. writes, June 18th, 1884: 
 
 Ontario. '■'■ Many thanks for your letters. I have received one from my 
 
 son, who sems perfectly happy, and thinks it would be best to 
 stay with the same parties for another year." 
 
 Admiral M. writes, October 4th, 1884 : 
 
 Virginia. " I have received two letters from my son since he has arrived 
 
 at Mr. M 's, in both of which he expresses himself as highly 
 
 satisfied with everything, and is delighted with the country. He 
 
 likes Mr. and Mrs. M very much, and feels confident that he 
 
 will succeed and be very happy." 
 
 Mrs. W. writes, October 6th, 1884 : 
 
 Ontario " I have read through all the letters I have received from my 
 
 and ^ ^ sons since they arrived in America, and there is not a single com- 
 Virginia. plaint of any kind in one of them ; on the contrary, they both 
 speak most highly of their comfortable homes and the great kind- 
 ness of their employers. I only hope the]/ are as well satisfied with 
 
 them. I have just heard from Lionel — he says he hopes Mrs. C 
 
 will return, she is such a charming person. It is a great comfort 
 to me to hear he keeps his health so well. He strongly urges my 
 going out and settling there by-and-by. 
 
 " Thanking you for your kind letter and interest in my sons." 
 
 H. C. F. writes from Tasmania, October, 1884 : 
 
 Tasmania. " Your agent has asked me to state a few of my opinions 
 regarding Tasmania, its climate, the prospects for yoimg men 
 coming out from England to start for themselves, etc, etc.
 
 45 
 
 " I have now been nearly 12 months here, and have endea- 
 voured to make myself acquainted with all the details of bush 
 farming. The climate suits me exactly, and I have enjoyed the 
 best of health. If a man is not frightened of hard work, a rough 
 but happy life, and a moderate return for the capital invested, 
 I think he cannot do better than try his fortune here. 
 
 " The soil is very rich, abundance of water, and suitable for 
 growing almost anything. I am about starting for myself with a 
 small capital, and have every hope by loerseverance and with God's 
 blessing to do well. Of course everybody meets with a few 
 reverses at first, but let them not be cast down, for all about here 
 have gone through a great deal, but have triumphed in the end, as 
 their land will show. In conclusion, I may say I have met with 
 every assistance, great kindness and good advice from your agent.'' 
 
 E. L. R. writes, October 1st, 1884, regarding his posi- • 
 tion in Tasmania : 
 
 ** I do not suppose that anyone can complain of lack of hos- Tasmania, 
 pitality in Tasmania. The more I see of this colony the more I 
 like it, and the only thing I cannot understand is that so few 
 young fellows hke myself come out here. To say anything about 
 Tasmania is a mere fallacy, as one cannot say too much about it, 
 but there appears to be a great deal of ignorance at home in 
 reference to its position. The people about here are very kind ; in 
 fact their homes are as good as my own, for I walk in when I 
 please.'' 
 
 And Mrs. O'lST. writes, January 1st, 1885, res^Decting her 
 brother, E. L. E., in Tasmania : 
 
 " He writes saying that he likes Mr. D very much, and is Tasmania, 
 
 very comfortable altogether." 
 
 A. W. N. T. writes from Yirginia, November 3rd, 1884 : 
 
 ** In reply to your letter which I received at B , I have now Virginia. 
 
 been with Mr. C at S over a week. I am very much pleased 
 
 with the farm, and I am very much obliged to you for the trouble 
 
 you took to make me so comfortable. Mr. C has been very good 
 
 indeed to me, and has made me extremely comfortable. Mr. W 
 
 is a very nice young fellow. Mr. C has introduced me to Mr. 
 
 M , who lives close to us ; he has a very nice farm and house, 
 
 and Mrs. M is very nice. I believe they take pupils, and I am 
 
 sure that anyone who gets to Mr. C 's or Mr. M 's could 
 
 not wish for anything better. Thanking you again for all your 
 kindness." 
 
 Mrs. T. writes, November 9th, 1884, regarding her son 
 in Virginia :
 
 Virginia. 
 
 Tasmania. 
 
 46 
 
 I heard to-day from my son ; he is extremely pleased with 
 — H , and says Mr. C is most kind and nice to him ; 
 
 Tasmania. 
 
 Ontario. 
 
 Virginia. 
 
 Iowa. 
 
 Virginia. 
 
 Virginia 
 
 and 
 
 Nebraska. 
 
 he is very happy altogether." 
 
 H. M. M. writes from Tasmania, Xovember 11th, 1884 : 
 
 " My present duty at the home I am at is to get up at 5 or 5.30., 
 milk the cows and feed them ; breakfast ; then paddock or field 
 duty till ] 2.30 ; dinner ; more paddock work until 5, then milk- 
 ing and sometimes farm butchery till 7 or 8. By this time we 
 are pretty well tired out, but if there is a good moon, we go out 
 shooting opossums and sell the skins." 
 
 Mrs. A., November 12th, 1884, writes respecting her son, 
 A. C. A., quoted above : 
 
 " My son always writes that he is quite satisfied with his work, 
 Mr. C ," etc. 
 
 Mrs. L. writes, respecting her son in Ontario, November 
 11th, 1884 : 
 
 " I hear from him frequently, and he seems contented, but it is 
 certainly a very rough and uncultivated life for a gentleman, and 
 very hard work." 
 
 W. J. P. writes, Virginia, Xovember 17th, 1884 : 
 
 '' We, i.e. Frank and I, have to be dowoi at the farm at 6 a.m. 
 when it is perfectly dark ; we have breakfast at 8, and dinner at 1 ; 
 supper at G. We have meat at every meal and are fed very well 
 
 indeed, though a bit roughly, which I like. Old Mr. D is a 
 
 thoroughly nice man, and I am very happy here. You might tell 
 Mr. Eathbone that I like it very much." 
 
 Miss S. writes, November 19th, 1884, respecting her 
 nephew in Iowa, who went out in July, 1883: 
 
 " I am thankful to say I have good accounts from him. He 
 is still with Mr. D ." 
 
 General P., Xovember 27th, 1884 : 
 
 " I continue to receive happy letters from my son Gerald ; he 
 is delighted with his home ; likes Mr. and Mrs. M very much.' 
 
 And again, January 6th, 1885 : 
 
 " We constantly hear from Gerald (who is in Virginia) ; his 
 letters are very satisfactory, and he seems hapjDy. 
 
 " Arthur also writes cheerfully from Nebraska, but his life 
 seems a hard one However, he doea not complain."
 
 47 
 
 Mr. Y. wi'ifees, December 5th, 1884, respecting his 
 brother, who had completed his term as a pupil : 
 
 " We hear well of my brother, who has recently moved to Ontario. 
 Guelph, and is quite able to look after himself/' 
 
 Mrs. G-. writes, December 7th, 1884, respecting her son 
 in Ontario : 
 
 " I continue to have good accounts from my son with regard to Ontario. 
 his health and interest in his work. .... Will you kindly 
 send me another little book, as I have given mine away, and some 
 
 friends here (Major and Mrs. J ) would like to see it. I have 
 
 already given them your address, as I am sure no young man 
 could go abroad under better agency." 
 
 A. C. writes, December 20th, 1884 : 
 
 " We have heard from my brother, and he seems both very Ontario. 
 happy and comfortable. He says he has quite left the old country 
 behind for ever." 
 
 J. M. writes, December 30th, 1884 : 
 
 " I have received a letter from my son in which he says : — Ontario. 
 'Everybody says I look much better and stronger, and to-day 
 I have felt so. The longer I am here the more I like it, and the 
 people are all so kind to me ; they are so nice among themselves.' 
 As I feel sure this report will be as gratifying to you as it has 
 proved to xiB, I have much pleasure in transcribing it for your 
 perusal. The boy writes in capital spirits and will, I believe, get 
 on. He makes no complaint of any kind, and is evidently enjoying 
 his Canadian life." 
 
 Mrs. D. writes, January 1st, 1885, respecting her son in 
 Ontario : 
 
 " We heard from our son this morning. He seems more pleased Ontario, 
 with Canada each letter we have." 
 
 T. W. writes, January Gth, 1885 : 
 
 " Everything seems going on very satisfactorily. I had a Quebec. 
 letter also from my son yesterday morning, in which he expressed 
 himself as thankful he had come out, and felt himself twice as 
 strong with all the cold and hard work he was going through, and 
 the people he was with were kind to him." 
 
 H. P., January Gth, 1885, quotes an extract fi'om his 
 son's letter : 
 
 *' I like my life out here very much, although I have to work Tasmania.
 
 48 
 
 very hard, about ten hours a day. If the pupils did not work 
 hard it -would be no gain to the farmer." 
 
 Colonel A. D. writes, January 7th, 1885 : 
 
 Ontario. '' We are much pleased to hear that my son expressed himself to 
 
 your agent as being so thoroughly satisfied with all his surround- 
 ings, though it simply confirms what his letters have told us, and 
 we thank you sincerely for all you have done for him and for your 
 kind wishes on his behaK." 
 
 The following extracts are from a few of the letters 
 written by pupils to ourselves and our local agents after their 
 probationary term of about a month on their farms ; they 
 are inserted to illustrate the care taken to ensm-e the selection 
 of a satisftictory farm and comfortable home, a transfer being 
 readily made by our local agents for any just reason before 
 the contract by the farmer is finally closed, or e /en after the 
 contract, though experience shows that the need for any 
 such change is exceptional. 
 
 G. W. L. B., November 16th, 1881 ; 
 
 Minnesota " I am perfectly satisfied with the farm I am on. Mr. G — • — 
 is a very nice farmer, and I like 1? im very much indeed/' 
 
 C. S. I., Januaiy 9th, 1882 : 
 
 Kentucky. " I hke the country very much, and have, through Mr. S— — , 
 
 been introduced to some exceedingly nice people. Mr. S and 
 
 his family are most kind, and I am very comfortable. If he will 
 have me, I shall stay with him, for I know when I am in good 
 quarters." 
 
 T. Q. Q., aged 30, writes, Januaiy 11th, 1882 : 
 
 Ontario. " If the interests of the farm pupils you may send out here in 
 
 future are as well looked after as mine have been, it will be their 
 own faidt if they fail to succeed in Canada." 
 
 F. C, Februaiy 16th, 1882 : 
 
 Kentucky. " I am at Mr. S 's farm, and I think, if nothing happens^ I 
 
 will stay here after the month The work is not very 
 
 hard ; of course it seems hard to me at pi-esent, because 1 never did 
 a day's work in my life, but if one takes it easy at first one soon 
 gets used to it. The life is one of the healthiest in the world, and 
 would mend any one's constitution. All the arrangements you 
 have made are good. Mr. S— — is a nice old gentleman, and one 
 is Bare to get oa with him."
 
 49 
 
 Again, May 3rd, 1882 : 
 
 *< D has come out, and is staying on the same farm as 
 
 myself. He is a very nice fellow, and we get on very well. S -'s 
 
 farm is about the best round here, and, as far as I can see, we 
 both have had good luck to come here." • 
 
 K. S., March 5th, 1882 : 
 
 " I like the place very much indeed. The farmer and his wife Kentucky, 
 are very kind to me. I have decided to stay here for twelve 
 months. I like the work, what little I have done. I am very 
 much obliged to you for choosing me such a comfortable home." 
 
 T. C, son of Mrs. C, quoted above, March 31st, 1882 : 
 
 *' I am quite satisfied with the way I have been treated since Wisconsin 
 
 I have been on Mr. C 's farm, and shall be very willing to stay 
 
 during the rest" of the year upon the terms arranged I 
 
 have already been here nine weeks."' 
 
 H. a. B., April 10th, 1882 : ' * 
 
 "I am quite satisfied with my farm at Mr. C 's. Please Kentucky. 
 
 settle the agreement for a year from March 17th, the day I went 
 there." 
 
 E. 0., April 22nd, 1882 : 
 
 " I am quite satisfied with the situation in which I am placed, Kentucky, 
 and will stay with Messrs. P for a year from this date." 
 
 Again,. February 28th, 1883 : 
 
 "I have been kindly treated by the Messrs. P . I have 
 
 learnt to do everything that is required in farming, under their 
 tuition, and will regret to leave the hospitable roof which has 
 sheltered ma during the first year of my experience in farming. It 
 is with pleasure I can say that your idea of sending young men out 
 to America is a good one, for there is nothing better for a young 
 man than to breathe the pure, fresh, country air, and join in the 
 healthful exercise of the farm, provided he is willing to work." 
 
 R. N. H., May 4th, 1882 : 
 
 *' I am very comfortable here, and like the farmer very much. T Wisconsin 
 do not think I could be better off or more contented than I am here.'* 
 
 And again, May 25th, 1882 : 
 
 " I have the pleasure of informing you that I am thoroughly 
 satisfied with the farnj I am on, and shall stay on the same for a 
 year." 
 
 P
 
 50 
 
 F. G. H. B., alluded to above, June 12tli, 1882 :" . 
 
 Wisconsin « j y^^^^ j^^,^ completed my month's trial with Mr. A , and 
 
 write to say I am more than satisfied with the gentleman we 
 selected. . . He seems as well satisfied with me as I with him 
 and his family, who are afl exceedingly kind, and willing to afford 
 me every help and advice. I like the country, and shall no doubt 
 
 like it better as I go on. Mr. M and Major M afforded us 
 
 every assistance in their power, and we managed very well. If I 
 may make one suggestion without interfering with your plan, I 
 should like to; that is, that the character of the pupils should, as 
 far as possible, be inquired into before sending them out. . . I 
 know a man close to here who would like to have one if he could 
 get a nice fellow, but he is afraid he might be unlucky and get one 
 like one his neighbour has. I do not mean to say that it is the rule 
 with the men who come out here under your system, but quite the 
 exception. You asked me to express my ideas freely, and I hope I 
 shall not offend by so doing." 
 
 A. B. A., June 22nd, 1882 : 
 
 Wisconsin « l am perfectly well satisfied with all that has been done for 
 me, and seem to get on all right with the farmer I am with, and 
 shall be very glad to remain with him." 
 
 The practice of allowing a month's trial has always 
 ■ been adhered to. The followinof extracts are some of the 
 more recent illustrations of the prevailing system : 
 
 K. H. C, quoted above, writes, May 13th, 1883: 
 
 Iowa. "■ My opinion is still the same as regards this farm, and I still 
 
 think you couldn't have located me on a better farm, at any rat^ 
 one more suited for what I came out here for." 
 
 H. A. S. de B. L. writes, May 13th, 1883 : 
 
 Iowa. " Many thanks for your note of the 8th instant, and in reply 
 
 can only say that I am perfectly satisfied with Mr. V , and 
 
 consider him just the man whom I ought to be with to learn 
 farming in this country," etc. 
 
 C. B. de la B. writes, May 15th, 1-883 : 
 
 Wisconsin "I have been with Mr. H since the 16th April. I find I 
 
 can stand the work very well, and I think I shall like farming. I 
 am comfo -tably situated, and I wish to complete the agreement 
 and stay the year."
 
 51 
 
 W. C. S. writes, May 21st, 1883 : '^ 
 
 " I shall have been here a month by to-morrow, so I write to Ontario, 
 let you know that I am satisfied with the farm on which you have 
 placed me, and that, as far as I am concerned, you may close the 
 agreement with W. F. He will, I believe, v/rite to you to the same 
 effect." 
 
 L. C. S. (brother of W. G. S.) writes, May 24tli, 1883: 
 
 " Having been a month here now, I write, as I promised, to tell Ontario. 
 you how I like this place. I really do not think I could have found 
 a much nicer one if I had had my pick out of all the farms round 
 here, and I am very well satisfied with everything. Both Mr. and 
 
 Mrs. C are very nice and kind people, and I do not think I 
 
 shall regret staying here a year or so, if they will keep me. I have 
 not had very much hard work to do yet, but I am quite ready to 
 work hard when it is needed. If you can put every pupil on to a 
 farm like I am on now they will be pretty sure to get on all right. 
 If they don't, they can't be good for much." 
 
 H. S. L. C. writes, 19th Jane, 1883, to our agent : 
 
 " Having completed my trial month I write to tell you I am Ontario, 
 very weD satisfied with my place, and have every reason to hope I 
 shall be most happy. Kindly make all arrangements with Mr. H. 
 N. for remaining ; and believe me, — Yours sincerely." 
 
 Mr. H. R. N., the farmer to whom the above Mr. H. S. 
 L. C. was attached, writes, June 29th, 1883, to our agent : 
 
 "As Mr, C has now completed his trial month as a farm 
 
 pupil with me, and expressed himself well satisfied to continue for 
 the year, you will please complete arrangements necessary therefor. 
 
 ** I am highly pleased with Mr. C in every respect, and find 
 
 him a very pleasant addition to our family circle, as well as an 
 efficient help on the farm. 
 
 " He appears to take quite as much interest in the growth of 
 crops and matters about the farm as I do myself. Hoping to hear 
 from you soon," etc. 
 
 S. R. P. wi'ites, June 24th, 1883 : 
 
 *' I am very much pleased with the farm I am on now ; Mr. and Ontario. 
 
 Mrs. M are extremely nice, and make me very comfortable. 
 
 Mr. M says that he is satisfied with me as a pupil. He will 
 
 d2
 
 62 
 
 write to you. I think the contract can be made out as soon as you 
 hear from him," etc. 
 
 M. R. writes, July 30th, 1883 : 
 
 Wisconsin « d^^j. sirs,— We are greatly obliged by your letters. We have 
 heard from our son this morning, telling us the contract is signed. 
 
 He is very satisfied that Mr. R is a most excellent farmer, and 
 
 that under him he will learn his work well.'' 
 
 Iowa. 
 
 Iowa. 
 
 Tasmania. 
 
 A. L. 0. writes, October 27th, 1883 : 
 
 " I am very well satisfied with the farm on which you put me. 
 
 Mr. K and his wife are very kind to me, and I am not over- 
 
 worked. The food is excellent, and I am willing to stay the year 
 imder the terms expressed in the contract.'' 
 
 Colonel 0., his father, writes, April 4th, 1884 : 
 
 " He expressed himself highly pleased with the living and kind 
 treatment in the family. He is only just sixteen; said he had 
 been weighed ; found he had increased 201b., and now turned lOst. 
 71b." 
 
 H. C. F. writes from Tasmania, December 17th, 1883 : 
 
 " Thanks for your kind letter. You will be glad to hear that 1 
 am very comfortable here and like the place very much. Every- 
 body is most kind and considerate. 
 
 "1 showed your letter to Mr. W , so if you forward the 
 
 documents they will be duly signed. We are having a considerable 
 
 amount of rain. Mr. W and I went to the S Show last 
 
 Wednesday." 
 
 G. A. P. writes from Tasmania, January 21st, 1884 : 
 
 asmania, ,( ^^ ^y, jj^Qj^^^j^'g notice has now expired, I will write again and 
 let yoii know how I am getting on^ In the first place, you will be 
 glad to hear the farmer is satisfied with me, and I with him, so 
 we've agreed to stick to each other. 
 
 *' I like the farming very much indeed, and feel quite a different 
 fellow now. 
 
 "We rise at 4 a.m., and naturally go to bed early, say 10 p.m. ; 
 but it seems to agree very well with us. 
 
 " On Sundays we do no work here, except to milk the cows, and
 
 53 
 
 I go twice to church with Mi\ P , the farmer. The people 
 
 about here are very kind indeed ; I have been to two or three 
 parties already, as they seem to like the company of a youug fellow 
 from the old country. I am awfully glad I brought the gun out, 
 as we have splendid shooting — hares, rabbits, wild duck, parrots, 
 opossums," etc., etc. 
 
 H. C. writes, x^pril 25th, 1884, from Iowa to our 
 agents : 
 
 " I am quite satisfied to stay the year with Mr. B . They Iowa. 
 
 are very nice, kind people ; I am getting on very well with them. 
 I plough and harrow, etc. I like it very much." 
 
 Mr. B., the farmer in this case, writes, April 25th, to 
 our agents : 
 
 "1 send you the contract signed as requested. Harry does 
 well ; is unaccustomed to work, but is learning, and tries to learn. 
 This is all we can reasonably ask. He is very well contented, I 
 think." 
 
 J. T. writes from Iowa, April 29th, 1884, to our agents : 
 
 " T arrived here on the l7th of March, 1884, and as long as I Iowa, 
 have been here I have been very kindly treated, and have received 
 proper instruction about fanning, etc., and the family are very 
 kind to me." 
 
 J. M. U. and F. U., two brothers, write from Iowa, 
 May 2nd, 1884 : 
 
 " We write to express our satisfaction as to the farm on which Iowa. 
 
 you have placed us. Mr. W and family are all you said they 
 
 were, and do everything in their power to make us at home and 
 comfortable. Of complaints we can make none, and feel certain 
 
 that as long as we remain with Mr. W we shall be happy, a.nd 
 
 willing to do all we can to please him. Mr. W takes the 
 
 greatest pains in teaching and showing us everything. The 
 country is charming, and both of us can at present boast of not 
 having had the slightest ailments, and we feel capable of doing 
 far more than we ever calculated upon. The neighbours we find 
 kind and hospitable, and willing to do anything for any one. "We 
 can only conclude by thanking you for getting us such a comfort- 
 able home, and plaoiixg us wilih such a g^ood and painstaking; man 
 M Mr. W :*
 
 54 
 
 Captain U., their father, writes, June 2nd, 1884: 
 
 Iowa. " ^y sons both seem quite happy and contented, and -write in 
 
 excellent spirits. They like Mr. W and the family very 
 
 much." 
 
 E. A. writes from Iowa, May 3rd, 1884, to ourselves : 
 
 Iowa. " ^ write to tell you of my safe arrival upon the farm you 
 
 chose for me. I have been here for a month, and am well 
 satisfied. I do not think I could have done better. . . . We 
 have got in almost all our seeds, so that almost all the hardest 
 
 work will be over this week till hay harvest. Mr. B and 
 
 family are very kind. ... I found your agents all that could 
 be desired; no hitch throughout." 
 
 L. R. writes, May 3rd, 1884 : 
 
 Tasmania. " ^^^ ^^ ^^ glad, no doubt, to heat that I found Mr. D 
 
 the nicest man I ever had to deal with ; farmers of this district 
 
 also say he is most practical. If it is agreeable to Mr. D , 
 
 you will kindly sign the agreement and finish with him." 
 
 J. B. writes, June, 1884, from Iowa to our agent : 
 
 lo-^a. " I have been at Mr. W ^s for nearly four weeks, and I am 
 
 certain if I tried I could not find a better home in America. They 
 treat me as if I was one of their own family, and I am as happy 
 as can be. I like the work, and I am delighted. I came out here 
 to learn farming." 
 
 W. G. S. writes, 15th July, 1884, in Wisconsin : 
 
 Wisconsin " I am so pleased to be able to inform you that I am here 
 
 permanently, at least for a year, and so you will not have any 
 more trouble with me. Both parties are mutually satisfied, and 
 from my part one cannot speak too highly of them. I would like 
 to know if there are any arrangements to be made — I mean, any- 
 thing to be signed or fixed in any way." 
 
 A. L. W. writes, August 10th, 1884, from Yirginia : 
 
 Virginia. " On the 27th of May I arrived here, when the Indian corn 
 
 was hardly a foot high ; now a good deal of it is over fifteen feet. 
 
 \
 
 55 
 
 '^ A few days after I began farming, haymaking commenced ; 
 it seemed very easy work, as it was cut one day and raked together 
 and carried the next. We have had quite a busy time ; however, 
 there has never been any want of help, and the darkies are always 
 civil and obliging, and everything on the farm works comfort- 
 ably. I have not been ill one day since I came, and the life suits 
 me remarkably well. We aie surrounded by most pleasant peoj)le. 
 
 " I think I have learnt a good deal about farming already, 
 including the management of grape vines, and some other things 
 not generally grown." 
 
 A. G. B. writes (Wisconsin), September 3rd, 1884 : 
 
 " Having remained with Mr. C- now a month, I beg to Wisconsia 
 
 state that I am quite satisfied with the way I have been treated, 
 and have been made during that time most comfortable. I wish 
 to remain on his farm for the next twelve months, and I feel sure 
 
 I shall pick up as much about farming on Mr. C 's farm as 
 
 anywhere." 
 
 Captain P. writes, 18th September, 1884 : 
 
 " I am glad to hear such good accounts of my nephew. When Iowa. 
 I last heard from him he expressed himself satisfied, and said he 
 
 liked Mr. K and family very much, also that his food was not 
 
 the rough tiling I had led him to expect." 
 
 Mrs. T. writes, September 25th, 1884 : 
 
 "My son H. J. writes home always very cheerfully, and OntariOi 
 expresses himself quite satisfied with his farm. He says he works 
 very hard, but he is fond of farming, and the farmer and his wife 
 are both very kind." 
 
 E. L. M. writes from Yirginia, September 29th, 1884 : 
 
 " I have much pleasure in writing to inform you that I am Virgiria* 
 quite satisfied with my settlement here and with the arrangements 
 made on my behalf." 
 
 Mrs. G. writes, October 1st, 1884 : 
 
 " He writes very much pleased with Mr, P and his work. Ontario. 
 
 He writes cheerfully, and says he is well and happy."
 
 56 
 
 The following is from the Episcopal clergyman in one 
 of the districts in Minnesota where pupils have been 
 placed. This gentleman, who is highly respected in the 
 State, has shown much interest in their welfare, and his 
 letter is in response to a request- from us for criticisms or 
 suggestions on the system. The concluding paragraph 
 refers to one or two isolated cases in which much trouble 
 and annoyance have been caused to the agency by the 
 young men having been addicted to habits of intemperance, 
 which they could not be induced to abandon : 
 
 " I quite agree with your letter of December 10th. Since my 
 writing I have given tbouglit to particular cases, and I do not see 
 how any better arrangement can be made. As I see more of the 
 young men I fully agree with what you say on page 6. There 
 are some fine fellows ; others of a different character. The friends 
 of some of them ought not to send them money to use at their 
 discretion, for they thereby defeat the very end of their coming 
 here. As you say, they can become self-supporting from the first. 
 
 " Every young man who comes « to America, and will be 
 industrious, economical and sober, can succeed, but their friends 
 must not interfere with their habits of self-reliance. I have given 
 the young men good counsel as to our customs, and can be of great 
 service to them if they will allow me to be so by being worthy 
 of it. 
 
 " Many of the young men in this county are well spoken of. 
 As County Superintendent, I have the best of opportunities to 
 see them, and many of them come in often to Church. We had a 
 good number at Christmas at Holy Communion. 
 
 " I feel quite sure your agent has done his duty faithfully in 
 locating these lads. Some of them will date their manhood from 
 this point of life. 
 
 " As to those who come to America because their friends desire 
 to be rid of them, I fear Httle can be done for them, but no one 
 is to blame for this but themselves." 
 
 And February 16th, 1882, writes : 
 
 " Your pamphlet was duly received some weeks since. I do 
 not see how it could be changed for the better. I would think 
 you had taken every precaution possible to protect the young men 
 sent out under your avispices, and those who will succeed else- 
 where are doing well. I mean those who are persevering. An 
 industrious young man of energy and a fair education can do well 
 in America."
 
 57 
 
 In a farther letter, dated September 4th, 1882, he says : 
 
 " So far as I • have been able to observe, your agents have 
 selected good places for the young men. In the long sickness of 
 
 B , no one could have taken better care of him than Mrs. 
 
 and her family. I might also mention other instances. The 
 influences surrounding the young men have been good, and every 
 effort has been used to direct and assist them." 
 
 And May 1st, 1883 : 
 
 " I have received a copy of your pamphlet. I have watched 
 the boys who have come over here with much interest. Most of 
 
 them have done well. Of those sent to S County it would be 
 
 difficult to find a more manly body, and you may rest assured they 
 will succeed, I have taken a very deep interest in their welfare, 
 in advising them, etc. Some of them have taken land, free home- 
 steads, and some of them have gone into business, for which their 
 education peculiarly fits them. They have learned self-reliance, 
 and where there has been willingness to learn there have been the 
 happiest results. In America no boy of good habits and industry 
 and energy can possibly fail.'' 
 
 And again, July 17th, 1883 : 
 
 " I am glad to say, in regard to the young men, that they have 
 found some good friends, and those who have been prudent have 
 every prospect of success." 
 
 A representative in Kentucky writes : 
 
 " Most of the farmers who wish to take pupils hope to obtain 
 one whose superior intelligence and trustworthiness will enable 
 the farmer to some extent to leave the conduct of the farm in his 
 absence to the pupil, when he has learned the mode of farming. 
 If the young men are only to be valued by their physical labour, 
 and their intelligence and integrity are not to be considered, then 
 it would be an exceptional case where their services would be 
 worth as much as an ordinary man accustomed from childhood to 
 farm labour. 
 
 " The farmers here, as a class, are as intelligent, educated, 
 well-informed men, both as to farming and the general business of 
 the country, as it has been my fortune to find in my travels over 
 a large part of the better farming portion of the world. 
 
 " Summing the whole thing up, the future of the jDupils sent 
 to Kentucky, in the majority of cases, will be as they themselves
 
 58 
 
 make it. I will try and be careful to place them with honourable 
 men and good farmerg, hoping that they will so conduct them- 
 selves the first year that the future will be conipai'atively easy to 
 them. 
 
 " With regard to the size of the farms, if I had a son I wished 
 taught farming, I would infinitely prefer putting him with some 
 intelligent, honest, good farmer, owning from 100 to 200 acres of 
 land, who worked himself a portion of the time, and did not de- 
 pend on managers j there the pupil would be intelligently educated 
 and would not see the evtravagant high living that he would see 
 on those large farms of 500 to 1,000 acres." 
 
 The following is from a letter received from our 
 representative in Nebraska, dated September 6th, 1882 : 
 
 " I should have stated that I had met Mr. P , who has a 
 
 farm in N County in this State, at the house of a friend of 
 
 mine, an Englishman, in that county. I was there a week in his 
 company, and believe he was thoroughly pleased with the arrange- 
 ments made for him by you." 
 
 In regard to the advantages offered by some of the 
 Southern States, the following are quoted from official 
 communications : 
 
 The Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of North 
 Carolina writes, August 17th, 1881 : 
 
 " I am instructed by His Excellency Governor Jarvis to express 
 his cordial approbation of the scheme unfolded in your letter ;' he 
 regards it as one at once practical in its nature, and in its design 
 calculated to accomplish great good." 
 
 The Director of the Greological Survey of Kentucky 
 writes, September 3rd, 1881 : 
 
 " I believe you have the right plan, and that much loss and 
 disappointment will be avoided by young Englishmen who will 
 come to this country and remain at work on a farm before invest- 
 ing. I believe that Kentucky offers peculiar advantages for 
 putting in practice such a work. In Central Kentucky the farm- 
 houses are larger and better than I have seen elsewhere in America; 
 the farmers are very intelligent, and are celebrated for their good 
 living. Agriculture is also more diversified, and the farm student
 
 59 
 
 can here learn all kinds of farming, and also stock-breeding, from 
 the most intelligent breeders in America. . . . One of our 
 United States Senators came to Kentucky a poor Scotch lad, and 
 went on a farm at ten dollars per month. I will take pleasure in 
 co-operating with you in your good work." 
 
 The Hon. John S. Williams, United States Senator for 
 Kentucky, writes as follows : 
 
 " United States Senate Ghambejr, 
 
 " Washington, October 13th, 1881. 
 
 "■ Dear Sirs, 
 
 " I think well of your plan of introducing into Kentucky 
 young Englishmen who wish to learn American modes of business. 
 I think Kentucky the most desirable of all the States of the Union 
 for the better class of English emigrants. The Kentuckians are 
 nearly all descended from English ancestors, and have still strongly- 
 mai'ked traits of EngHsh character. There is a striking resem- 
 blance between the blue-grass region of Kentucky and some of the 
 best portions of England. 
 
 " As an agricultural and stock-raising country, Kentucky has 
 no equal on the American continent. The other States all come 
 to Kentucky for their fine horses and cattle. Not an American 
 horse has won a race in England that did not come from Kentucky. 
 The soil is of siu'prising fertility, and the climate so mild that 
 men may work on our farms every day in the year. Geological 
 survey shows that Kentucky has more coal and iron than the 
 whole of Great Britain. The farmers of Kentucky, as you must 
 have observed, are superior to those of any other State of our 
 Union. Kentucky is the only State where the rich and educated 
 people reside upon and cultivate their own farms. I am a farmer 
 myself, and produce tobacco, wheat, Indian corn, sheep, and short- 
 horn cattle ; and within the last year have sold from oil a farm of 
 1,200 acres 32,000 dollars' worth of products, without touching a 
 short-horn, and this without any artificial manure. I usuaDy get 
 100 bushels of Indian corn, 35 bushels of wheat, 75 bushels of 
 oats, and 1,500 pounds of White Burley tobacco to the acre. 
 
 ** I sold a few weeks since my last year's crop of tobacco at a 
 price which averaged me 300 dollars to the acre. I gave the 
 tenants one-haK for their work, which left me 150 dollars clear 
 rent to the acre. Our climate is healthy, and nowhere in the 
 world is animal hfe, both in man and the lower animals, to be 
 found in a more vigorous and perfect existence than in Kentucky. 
 
 " Very truly yours, 
 
 '' JOHN S. WILLIAMS.^'
 
 60 
 
 " Kentucky Geological Survey and Bureau of Immigration, 
 
 " John R. JProcter, Director. 
 
 " Frankfobt, Kentucky, 
 
 ** October 10th, 1881. 
 "Dear Sirs, 
 
 "I am instructed by His Excellency the Governor of 
 Kentucky to inform you that the plans of the American Colonisa. 
 Hon Comjpamj, of London, England, proposed and submitted by 
 you, meet with his warm approval, and that he will co-operate with 
 you in your endeavours to send young men to this State. He 
 believes that the geographical position of Kentucky, its salubrity 
 of climate, fertility of soil, and great ujideveloped wealth in coal, 
 iron, and timber, make it a most desirable field for the introduction 
 of foreign labour and capital. To persons seeking pleasant homes 
 or remunerative investments in this State, he extends a cordial 
 invitation, with the assurance of a warm welcome. As Director of 
 the Geological Survey and Bureau of Immigration, I beg to assure 
 you of my hearty co-operation, and will spare no efforts necessary 
 to aid in furtherance of your plans. 
 
 " Eespectfully youxs, 
 " JOHN E. PEOCTEE, State Geologist. 
 " Approved,— LUKE V. BLACKBUEN, Governor of Kentucky/' 
 
 The Acting Commissioner of the Department of Agricul- 
 ture at Washington, U.S.A., Mr. E. A. Cannan, writes as 
 follows : 
 
 " May 21st, 1883. 
 " Gentlemen, 
 
 " I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of 
 the 8th inst., enclosing a copy of ' Practical Suggestions as to 
 Instruction in Farming in Canada and the North- West, and the 
 United States of America,' and I take this opportunity to express 
 my appreciation of the methods you have adopted for putting 
 young Englishmen in the way of acquiring American farms after 
 they have learned to manage them profitably. The statements 
 made in your pamphlet regarding American farmers and farms are 
 moderate, and should command the confidence of the young men 
 to whom they are especially addressed." 
 
 " To Messrs. Ford, Eathbone and Co., 
 " London, E.C."
 
 61 
 
 TABLE OF MEAN TEMPERATURES. THE DOMINION, Etc. 
 
 
 Toronto, 
 
 St, Paul, 
 
 Winnipeg, 
 
 Battleford, 
 
 England. 
 
 
 Ontario. 
 
 U. S. A. 
 
 Manitoba. 
 
 N. W. Trritry. 
 
 August 
 
 66-38 
 
 72-00 
 
 67-34 
 
 67-79 
 
 61 
 
 Septr. .. 
 
 58-18 
 
 60-06 
 
 52-18 
 
 47-10 
 
 56 
 
 October 
 
 . 45-84 
 
 46-03 
 
 35-84 
 
 34-52 
 
 50 
 
 Nqvmbr 
 
 36-06 
 
 38-03 
 
 30-66 
 
 28-66 
 
 43 
 
 Decmbr. 
 
 25-78 
 
 19-03 
 
 11-97 
 
 7-48 
 
 39 
 
 Jany. .. 
 
 22-80 
 
 16-03 
 
 6-10 
 
 0-45 
 
 37 
 
 Feby. .. 
 
 22-74 
 
 15-02 
 
 12-32 
 
 10-25 
 
 39 
 
 March .. 
 
 28-93 
 
 33-01 
 
 14-14 
 
 16-84 
 
 41 
 
 April ... 
 
 40-72 
 
 50-04 
 
 39-10 
 
 46-70 
 
 46 
 
 May ... 
 
 51-74 
 
 58-07 
 
 53-13 
 
 53-35 
 
 53 
 
 June ... 
 
 61-85 
 
 67-09 
 
 63-20 
 
 60-35 
 
 59 
 
 July 
 
 67-49 
 
 7305 
 
 68-19 
 
 63-95 
 
 62 
 
 Yrly. I 
 Meana j 
 
 44-04 
 
 45-61 
 
 36-67 
 
 36-46 
 
 48-83 
 
 Tasmania. 
 Mean Temp. — January ...... 68*17 
 
 July 46-44 
 
 TABLE OF MEAN TEMPERATURES. THE STATES. 
 
 state. 
 
 Spring. 
 
 Summer. 
 
 Autumn. 
 
 Winter. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Florida 
 
 68-9 
 43-9 
 54-4 
 41-8 
 39-4 
 44-5 
 52-5 
 45-9 
 55-6 
 47-6 
 
 80-9 
 69-7 
 74-5 
 68-6 
 67-8 
 71-2 
 75-5 
 73-4 
 76-1 
 72-9 
 
 69-3 
 60-0 
 55-7 
 47-8 
 45-3 
 48-9 
 55-0 
 51-0 
 59-8 
 52 
 
 55-7 
 24-9 
 35-2 
 20.5 
 14-0 
 20-3 
 30-7 
 22-9 
 40-5 
 25 
 
 68-7 
 
 New York 
 
 47-1 
 
 Kentucky 
 
 54-9 
 
 Wisconsin 
 
 44-7 
 
 Minnesota 
 
 41-6 
 
 Iowa 
 
 46-2 
 
 Missouri 
 
 53-4 
 
 Nebraska 
 
 48-4 
 
 Virginia 
 
 58 
 
 Illinois 
 
 49-6 
 

 
 62 
 
 The increase in number * of farms in decennial periods 
 in the States, as shown by the national census, is as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 1850 1,449,073 
 
 1860 2,044,077 
 
 1870 2,659,985 
 
 1880 4,008,907 
 
 It is the distinctive peculiarity of American farm occu- 
 pancy that the tillers of the soil are the owners of the land. 
 Foreigners come here not to become tenants, but pro- 
 prietors. They move directly onward toward the free 
 Grovernment lands, which furnish a vital inducement to 
 immigration. They go west rather than south — first, 
 because they can obtain the best lands in fee simple, and 
 not as renters ; and a second consideration is the fact that 
 j)rairie lands can be selected, which can be opened and 
 made productive the first year. Therefore we find that 
 2,984,306, or about three-fourths of all in number, and a 
 far greater proportion of the total value, are occupied by 
 the owner. Then there are persons, temporary occupants 
 of holdings for various reasons, in the north, and in the 
 south a large number of freedmen, who are averse to 
 working for wages, and unable to own and stock a farm, 
 who are compelled to work the land for others. Preferring 
 semi-proprietorship, or a sort of partnership in the produce 
 of the farm, there are 702,244 who occupy land on shares 
 in various proportions, according to the fertility of the 
 soil and the conditions of the partnership as to furnishing 
 and feeding of farm animals, the use of implements, etc. 
 The following figures will show how much smaller are 
 these farms, which are usually fragments of original farms 
 of greater area. The number rented at a fixed rental in 
 money is very small — only 322,357. The following state- 
 ment gives the classification by size and also by tenure : — 
 
 * This is quoted ft-om the United States of America Report of the Department 
 of Agriculture for 1881 and 1382, page 645.
 
 63 
 
 NUMBER OF FARMS. 
 
 Number of Acres. 
 
 Under 3 acres 
 
 3 acres and under 10 
 
 10 
 20 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 500 
 
 1,000 
 
 and over 
 
 20 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 500 
 
 1,000 
 
 Total 
 
 Whole 
 
 Occupied 
 
 Rented 
 
 Number. 
 
 by Owner, 
 
 for Money. 
 
 4,352 
 
 2,601 
 
 875 
 
 134,889 
 
 85,456 
 
 22,904 
 
 254,749 
 
 122,411 
 
 41,522 
 
 781,474 
 
 460,486 
 
 97,399 
 
 1,032,910 
 
 804,522 
 
 69,663 
 
 1,695,983 
 
 1,416,618 
 
 84,645 
 
 75,972 
 
 66,447 
 
 3,956 
 
 28,578 
 
 25,765 
 
 1,393 
 
 4,008,907 
 
 2,984,306 
 
 322,357 
 
 Rented 
 on Shares. 
 
 876 
 
 26,529 
 
 90,816 
 
 223,589 
 
 158,725 
 
 194,720 
 
 5,569 
 
 .1,420 
 
 702,244 
 
 We quote tlie following from the lOth Census of the 
 United States, 1880, Vol. III., 522 :— 
 
 " The yield per acre on sinall farms pursuing mixed farming is 
 greater than on large ones. Greater care can be, and usually is, 
 taken in the selection of seed, in the cultivation of the crop, in 
 manuring, and in harvesting, and on lands of the same value the 
 interest account of sach farms is lessened as the production is 
 increased, and all this induces thrift. Small and large farmers 
 are more nearly on the same footing than small and large operators 
 in any other industry." 
 
 Visitors may see at an interview any of the letters 
 quoted in this pamphlet, as well as numerous others on 
 the same subject ; the fullest inquiry is invited into the 
 working of the sj^stem and the nature of the organisation. 
 
 Messrs. Ford, Rathbone and Co. are a private firm, 
 having a complete organisation on both sides of the 
 Atlantic, enabling them to offer a thorough fulfilment 
 abroad of every contract entered into here. 
 
 Solicitors may refer in the first instance to Messrs. Ford, 
 Ranken Ford and Ford, No. 4, South Square, Gray's Inn, 
 London ; and Robert Lyle, Esq., 38, Upper Fitzwilliam 
 Street, Dublin ; and Bankers to Messrs. Hoare and Co., 37, 
 Fleet Street, London, E.C., and to Messrs. Melville, Evans, 
 and Co., 75, Lombard Street, E.C.
 
 64 
 
 We think it well to mention that in a recent communica- 
 tion from the State Board of .Immigration of Minnesota, 
 the Secretary wrote, under date 12th July, 1883 : "This 
 State has no Agent or Commissioner of Immigration in 
 England or elsewhere outside of the State ; nor is there any 
 law in existence authorising such appointment." 
 
 It IS very desirable that all communications intended for 
 us should be addressed to us by name, as Messrs. Ford, 
 Rathbone and Co. 
 
 Thirteenth Edition, Revised. — January, 1885. 
 
 FOKD, RATHBONE & CO., 
 
 21, FINSBUEY PAVEMENT, 
 
 LOISTDON, E.G. 
 
 (Olose to the Moorgate Street Station of the Metropolitan 
 
 Bailway.) 
 
 .A-O-EIsTTS 
 
 TO 
 
 SUN FIRE OFFICE 
 
 AND 
 
 SUN LIFE OFFICE. 
 
 ApAMS Brothers, Printers, 25, Bury Street, London, E.C.
 
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