The emigrant's hand book, and guide to Wisconsin

              43
There is another matter which must not be overlooked by the mechanic or laborer intending to emigrate to the State of Wisconsin; whatever may be the extent of his family, and whether girls or boys, they will not be found such a burthen to them as they would at home. It is the custom here to send children out to employment as early as nine or ten years of age, and desirable situations, with fair remuneration, may readily be obtained for them. Therefore, instead of being an incumbrance to them they are rather likely to be a benefit. There does exist a pre¬ judice in favor of " Old Country" children, especially fe¬ males. Girls from the age of eleven and twelve are sought after as day-helps, either to nurse children or at¬ tend about house, getting from half a dollar to six shillings per week, and board, while the adult female help or ser¬ vants get from four to six dollars per month and board.
These, therefore, are the prospects the Mechanic has before him for the one portion of his family, and as for the other portion—boys, even at the early age of ten years, are fully able to provide for themselves, and there¬ by assist their parents; in short, are able to gain their livehhood, and it is customary for them to do so. A boy of eleven or twelve years will get two dollars a week; if from fourteen to sixteen years, whether as an errand boy or assistant in general trades, three dollars; the gene¬ ral consideration being to give sufficient for support. This is in fact the amount considered requisite for their board¬ ing and other expenses.
In the settlement of them to trades the mechanic finds none of the difficulties so common in his own country to contend with, from the fact that it is not necessary to provide pre^niums for them before they will be taken as apprentices, for none are here required. The boy is iii himself considered a preminm, because from the very