Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-02-26
The Farm asa Home.

There is one feeling about the ownership OF
land, especially of a farm, which gives us a
great deal OF pleasure and confidence. 1t is
not merely pride of owning many acres
OF land, or possessing certain number OF
cattle and horses, but the fact that we otcn
home that it is ours u enjoy and possess.
TO improve ond Cultf, ate, and at last tu hand
down as an inheritance to our children. This
Is one Of the great heart pleasures of most
farmers and although they may not give
expression to it, 1t is ever upermost III their
thoughts
How dear to thousands VI hearts are the
81 farm homesteads,' TO be found in all por-
tiOns of our country. Tuey are hallowed
perhaps, as our birth places; as the spots
where we passed our bOyhood, or girlhood
the fields, the orchards, the brooks, are all
identified with the pleasures of early life
And those pleasures were the sweetest We
ever enjoyed Alas and we shall never wit
ness their return. nor any Joys nor pleasures
that will e half so dear to US. There is the
old farm house 1t may be unpainted un-
eighty IN architecture, its appearance neg
lected, and perhaps it is IN the possession OF
strangers. And there are the fields which We
have moved, piowed, s0wn and planted year
after year. Every part of the old farm has
beeu trodden 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 - taud" of fails, and merry voices OF
husking frolics.
How many thousands Of people who never
owned farms, have concluded they would pur-
chase one at the evening OF life. What for?
that they desired change of life merely for
its novelty. The idea is that they want a
home rural property with which they can
be identified strong hold and refuge against
the tide of misfortune business that not
dependent upon the whims and caprIces OF
others, nor subject to the general ductua-
tIons, disasters and shipwreck of trade. 1t
the stability, safe and independence OF
landed estate that makes fly 10 the farm,
rather than continue in business that is per-
haps more profitable, but is subject to greater
viclsitudes, anZieties ana perils.
As 4 relief from mental labor, from profess
siOnal cares, commercial losses, and often
from domestic Affections, how many men find
a refuge farm. If the mind is ALTERED
by excessive mental employment, or broken
down by misfortune, or some great sorrow,
there is balm, consolation, and often prema
ture cure in the purest Of agriculture and its
kindred arts This is not mystery, but
great medical fact The change of oceupa-
ton has its influence physical labor sup
plants intellectual drudgeTy; the care Of do
mestic animals opens a new fountain of sym
pathy the air and sunshine reinvigorates
health and the fact that you own, possess,
and have full dominion over the hills and val
leys, the herds and hocks. the buildings, and
the soil on which they stand, gives you feel
ing Of superiority confidence and independ-
ence
4 writer whose heart was about as warm
as ours, Who had great love for the farin-life,
and appreciated the farm as home expressed
himself follows When | came within
sight of my farm, after having been away,
pleasant sensation rises within me that no
other feeling can equal. | am at hOme-0n
my own land. There are my acres, which
the combined power Of the country has guar
anteed to me. 1t is mine, and my heirs for
ever. Here is security. II there is anything
stable in the world this is it. Ny freside
is therefore built upon firm foundation.
and my children arc safe. We are not in
truded upon no one has a right to do this;
the strong arm of the law is ever ready to
defend US. Here | have my worship undis-
turbed | attend to ny concerns unmolested.
In a word. | am at home.