Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-06-18
AgricuIturaI.

A PLEA FOR THE BOYS.

"A 4 mn DAN 4 III ~ 's
Fathers, don't forget the old adagc about
"all work and no play makes Jack dull
boy Work Jack work him every fair day,
and quito hard, too it will strengthen him
physically, mentally and morally, but don t
make a mere drudgo Of him. Give him an in
tcrcst in the work Plan so he may fe,i. as
we'll as say, orr Let him feel, and say, too,
my of something. Let him have something
Of his own, to sell, swap, care for, and enjoy
for himself, and buy something for himself
with the fruits Of his own industry Don't
make him feel that the farm and all appertain-
ing to it is yours, and he likewise. How can
he take any interest in your affairs if you
merely work him, work him, from Monday
morning to Saturday night, as you would a
slave or an OK Many farmer docs this,
and then wonders that his boys feel no more
interest in his work Could you feel inter-
ested in that about which you were not con-
suited and the completion Of which would
not benefit you;
Let Jack play little yes, considerable.
Let him go fishing once in a while of a rainy
day, and don't think he has not worked hard
enough because no wants TO play ball after
his work is done If he lives to be as old as
you are, he won't feel so "coltish' as he does
now; but don't make an "old horse of him
before his time. Youth is period Of elias
ITCHY, and it should bound and rebound, but
the spring can be so long depressed that it
will never rise again. Too much and too
long hard work will take all the spring out OF
Jacks spirit, but you and he and the world
will be mpch The poorer for Il, so | would mt
do it.
Talk with Jack, laugh with him, plan with
him, be his companion, and let him be yours.
You don't know how he pines for sociability.
It's lonesome work for a boy to have all a
''long yellow day in silence. Jack thinks,
he thinks a great deal; many Of his thoughts
would be interesting and profitable to you,
many of his plans would be worthy of atten-
ton; draw him out, then, and let him feel
that you are interested in what interests him.
Farmers, if you will do just these three
things, i. c., give Jack real interest in some
part of his own labor, give him with his labor
time and facilities for recreation and be com
panionable with him, will warrant him mol
to be running away to go to sea, by the time
he is old enough to be some help to you. II
farming is made pleasant to him, he will not
be willing to shut himself up in dusty, dir
ty, crowded city, and walk behind counter
and lie sixteen hours per day for five years for
nothing. If he finds society at home that ii
cheerful and pleasant, he will not be seen a.
mong the low, the vulgar, and the proane.
believe tho almost universal dislike of farm
ing by farmers boys arises from tho almost
universal neglect OF these things | have men.
toned. Men often take far less pains to hav,
the time of these boys pass pleasantly thar
they would for the boys OF a stranger, hence
their boys soon leave them for strangors.-
Think of it, farmers and all other fathers
and if You can improve your course in these
respects, sec if your happiness and benefit
too, are not greatly increased.
s. X. 4.
lLay 25tb. 1858.