Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-06-22

tarry long enough TO become fully mi
tiated into the secret. AS luck will
nave it, Mr.. A., just approaches and
signifies his Willingness TO answer such
questions rs may be propounded 10
him, by which | feel authorized to in
quire, ist. How many acres Of land do
YOU own In this tract? "i20," ans.
wered Mr.. a. end. "EIow long
since you planted out yon thrifty or.
chard?" Twenty years." replied
Mr.. A. land by your permission I'll
just here add that, | purchased this
farm. twenty years ago last spring. not
then knowing whether should contin.
uc Il MS a permanent residence for my
sclfor not.
| Immediately, however, set about
preparing for an orchard, and spared
no reasonable pains in procuring a
good selection Of fruit trees. fully con-
scious that If | never enjoyed any
fruits, therefrom, my labors would be
duly appreciated by those who might
succeed me on the farm" Sd. What
is your opinion in reference to the
most proper size for farm where
comfort. society. DC. is taken into ac-
countg" "Wilh 90 years experience,
am led TO believe that farms. rah-
ging in size from 90 TO l60 acres each,
are best adapted to carry out and SUBJ
serve the objects above contemplated,
and let the farm be large or small, |
deem it the duty Of all persons to try.
and make their homes as comfortable,
and rs attracting as possible while they
continue to occupy them" We have
thas arrived at some Of the motives
which prompted our friend A. in the
course he has pursued, and learned
from him, this important lesson, that
contentment is n rich boon indeed,
leaving behind it many traces worthy
our consideration. We shall now re-
turn by way Of our neighbor on the
left, ard ascertain from him the
true cause which has led TO the pres
ent condition of his farm. Says neigh
Dor B:
II purchased this farm, twenty
years since. and moved on ID immedi.
ately, thinking it was large enough to
answer my purpose. | soon found
however that l20 acres of land was
not enough to constitute a comfortable
farm: and hence | became rather dis
satisfied. and soon came to the con-
clusion, TO either purchase an addi-
tional tract of land, or sell and re-
move away neither of which / have
yet accomplished" Well sir. | sup
pose your frequently meet with neigh
Dor A. just yonder TO the right, and
doubtless have often conversed with
him upon the subject. 80 yes, we
have frequent interviews together, and
indeed to tell the pllin truth. / like
very much to visit that neighbor often,
for it rare indeed that l find him with
out the choicest of fruit. and that is
such luxury to me; and by the by
he is always ready to share with
neighbor'' "I understand you to
say that you are fond of fruit, then
how comes it that you have so little
prospect OF fruit, after a residence OF
twenty years, on the same premises.
"Well, as have already intmated my
farm is so small, as to offer but few in
ducements, for me to stay here, and in
all probability if l was to go to the ex-
pense of putting out an orchard here,
should not realize any of the fruit,
which to me would be truly mortify-
ing. | frankly confess, however, that
| almost envy the situation Of neigh
Dor A. at times, and not unfrequently
feel to regret that fortune hrdn plac-
ed within my reach a larger farm
when first started out in the world"
We have thus pursued our inquiries
Tar enough TO answer our purpose for
the present, and shall therefore re eturn
again to consider few things which
above all others appear to claim our
attention. HOME, in the strict sense
Of the Sord should always possess
more or less charms to every individu-
al. and that person who can spend a
life time without being attracted with
some objects around him, surely fails
to enjoy the pleasures of life, and but
lily fills up his place in the world.
hold, that whether farmers or me-
chanlcs, lawyers or doctors, we are
alike under obligation to do all that is
reasonably within our power, to pro-
mote the happiness of our families,
and make home as attractive as pos
sible. To do this. reqires not only
our attention. but Our labor and coun-
Gil; and he who would in the least feel
degraded 10 be caught at labor, most
generally fails TO make his family con-
tented and happy | am well aware
, that labor has been regarded by some
as dishonorable. in all ages of the
; world; but, that those false impres.
, sions should be gaining ground in this
, our day, is truly mortifying me,
and | verify believe should be to every
well-wished of tli. young and rising
generation. | ask, why should the
, farmer and mechanic be looked upon
rs rather degraded beings, and their
sons and daughters regarded as un.
, worthy the society and friendship of a
portion of community, while indeed
{ were it pot for them, this beloved
, America would soon be shorn of the
} many charms she now possesses, and
become by. word and reproach for
. other nations.
! maintain, therefore, that labor is
, honorable, and should be regarded SO
E by every American citizen.
: Not only so. but | verify believe il
: to be the duty of all ssable- bodied
' persons to employ themselves Z in
{ some way, that at least portion ol
G their time may be devoted to the main.
: tainance of themselves or family.
{ 1 deem it the duty. and feel truly to
: urge upon every parent the necessity
# Of training up their families to indus.
: trious habits. BE sure and impress
u upon the mind of your children tn,
/ great importance of knowing how
a to work, and the necessity of ac
! ouirinty that kpawlod,xa ,,,l:l. ..o....,