Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-01-02
Agritat1taI 9spartuleut.
In Behalf Of Farmers Boys.

Farmers, did you ever think what a lone
some business farming can be, aud often is, made
for your boys, just by your unsociability ? Do
you talk with your sons as you go TO and from
and while at work. Or do you work III dreary,
uncheered silence, unless neighbor chances
to come aloDg or help you day, and then
suddenly recover the faculty of speech aud
flow of spirits Do you know your boys
subject of thought 7 His pet plaus aud would
he confde to your or advise With you about
any new plan or idea Do you complain
that your son takes no interest" in your work
and at the same time do you take no interest
in his plans for pleasure and profit Do you
help him make his bow aud arrow, or his trucks
or bis sled Or does he have to construct
these out Of your sight and enjoy them by
stealth, for fear ofreceving reprlmand from
you for this waste of timer Do you commend
his good endeaVors, or do you reprmand him
on every slight occasion, without any mani
festation of your appreciation of his diligence
at other times -re--
There is nothing so terribly discouraging
as this perpetual fault finding without any
commendation, and yet, who can not call to
mind many fathers who so rarely commend
their sons, that it is thought to be said ironi
with-their con1ucL is uttered. Farmers boys
feel this more from the fact that they are al
most constantly with their fathers They can
not, like village boys meet companions at
night after their work is done, and have
good time, nor can they every few days see
some show, fremens parade, or entertaining
curiosity, that may serve them for subject OF
thought when at work in silence. The farm
is their world, and if the farmer does not try
hard to make himself theveompaGion of his
boys, to not only seem, but to be interested
in whatever interests his sons, to make the
hours of work pesent socIable time in
stead of silent, dreary drag and if he
does not by consulting with them, and ask.
ing for and talking over with them their
plans and suggestions, and by proper
eommendatiOn, encourage them to better eff
forts in the future, why should ne be surprised
to lea7n some morning that his son had be-
come tired of farming, and stepped Out' to
try the broad untred world outside
How many fathers, whose boys leave home
just as soon as they can, might justly blame
only their own reserve for their sons discomfort 4
Boys are very much like men, and how can
they be contented and happy while working
day after day in silence, only when the paren-
tai mouth is opened TO reprimald some error
of omission or commission ? No one wonders
that the slaves of the south feel no interest
in their work and many father treats his
boys, so far as eompaniouship is conserned,
Just as if they were slaves He does not do
this because he does not love his boy, though
it seems so to the child but he has "put
away childish things" so far that he does not
appreciate the feeling of youth, and then the
boy is bis Cwn and be does not feel under any
social obligation to him. / verify believe that
boys who live out will average to be more
contented, than farmers'bOys who live at home
so far as companionship with and cOmmeuda'
tion from the father is concerned
Let any one observe in his own neighoor- !
hood, or still better, observe carefully his own |
boys, and he will at once be convinced there
is here a great evil, and one to be especially |
observed in the farming community People |
who labor hard are apt to become cold and |
reserved. Farm work is usually very sugges-
tive Of most pleasant and instructive inter
change of words, and in the quiet monotony
of hoeiug one hill after another the father for |
gets that the son is not as old as himself, with
a lifetime of reeolleetons for his mind to feed
upon.
Think of this thing, fathers, and observe
you sons conduct, and if you find that he feels |,
any more confidence that he shall find sympa-
thy and encouragement and assistance from
you, your duty to him as father has been
neglected. !