Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-12-05
Aaritmltnra1 department.
THE FARM AS A HOME.

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There is one feeling about the ownerShil
Of land, especially of a farm, which give'
us great deal Of pleasure and confidence
1t is not merely pride of owning so many
acres Of land, or. possessing certain mum
Der of cattle and horses, but the fact that
we oaon home and it is ours to enjoy and
possess, to improve and cultivate, and al
last to hand down as an inheritance to oul
children. This is one of the great heart.
pleasures of most farmers; and although
they may not give expression to it, it is ev-
er uppermost in their thoughts.
How dear to thousands of hearts are the
old ssfarm homesteads,' to be found in all
portions of our country. They are hallow-
ed, perhaps, as our birth-places as the
spots where we passed our boyhood, or girl
hood; the fields, the orchards, the brooks,
are all identified with the pleasures of early
life. And those pleasures were the sweet
est we ever enjoyed. Alas! and we shall
never witness their return, nor any joys or
pleasures that will be half as dear as dear
to US. There is the old farm house! 1t
may beunpainted, unsightly in architecture,
it's appearance neglected, and perhaps it is
in the possession of strangers. Yet it has
a warm place in our memory. And there
are the fields which we have moved, plough
ed, sown and planted year after year.
Every part of the old farm has been trod-
den down by our feet, and every acre i'm
proved by our hands. There, too, is the
great barn, so often filled with fragrant hay
and golden grain, from which we used to
hear the ssthud" of fails, and the merry
voices at husking frolics.
How many thousands ofpeople who never
owned farms, have concluded they would
purchase one at the evening of life. What
for mot because they preferred hard la
Dor, not that they desired a change of life,
merely for its novelty. The idea is that
they a0ant home; rural property which
they can be identified with strong hold
and refuge against the tide of misfortune
a business that is not dependent on the
whims and caprices of others, nor subject to
the general fluctuations, disasters and ship
wrecks of trade. 1t is the stability, safety,
of landed estate that makes
us fly to the farm, rather than continue in
business that is perhaps more profitable,
but is subject to greater vicissitudes, ankle
ties and perils.
AS relief from mental labor, from pro-
fessional cares, commercial losses, and, Of
ten from domestic Affections, how many men
find refuge on the farms. If the mind is
shattered by excessive mental employment,
or broken down by misfortune, or some
great sorrow, there is balm, consolation, and
often permanent cure in the pursuit of ag-
riculture and it's kindred arts. This is not
a mystery, but great medical fact. The
change of occupation has its influence ply
sical labor supplants intellectual drudgery !;
the care of domestic animals opens new
fountain of sympathy; the air and sunshine
reinvigorate health : and the fact that you
own, possess and have sole dominion over
the hills and valleys, the herds and flocks,
the buildings, and the soil on which they
stand, gives you feeling of superiority,
confidence and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and
FsreSide.