Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-01-06
AGRICUr.TUaAL

The FARM AS A HoME.-There is one
feeling about the ownership of land,
especially of farm, which gives us a
great deal of pleasure and confidence. 1t
is not merely pride of owning so many
acres of land, or possessing certain
number of cattle and horses, but the fact
that we own a home that it is ours to
enjoy and possess, to improve and Guilt
vare, and at last to hand down as an in
heritance to our children. This is one
of the great heart pleasures of most
farmers; and although they may not
give expression to, it, it is ever upper
most in their thoughts.
How dear to thousands of hearts are
the farm homesteads," to be found in
all portions of our country. They are
hallowed, perhaps, as our birth-places /;
as the spots where we passed our boy
hood, or girlhood; the fields, the orchards,
the brooks, are all identified with the
pleasures of early life. And those pleas
Alas and we shall never witness their
return, nor any joys or pleasures that
will be half as dear to US. There is the
old farm house 1t may be unpainted,
unsightly in architecture. its appearance
neglected, and perhaps it is in the pos
session of strangers. And there are the
fields which we have moved, plowed,
sown and planted year after year. Ev-
cry part of the old farm has been trod-
den by our feet, and every acre improved
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 /" thnd" of fails, and the merry
voices of husking frolics.
How many thousands of people who
never owned farms, have concluded they
would purchase one at the evening of
life. What for ?-not because they pre-
ferred hard labor, not that they desired
a change of life merely for its novelty.
The idea is that they want home a
rural property with which they can be
identified; a stronghold and refuge
against the tide of misfortune busi-
ness that is not dependent upon the
whims and caprices of others, not SUBJ
ject to the general fluctuations, disasters
and shipwrecks of trade. 1t is the sta
bility, safety, independence 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, anxieties and
perils.
AS relief from mental labor, from
professional cares, commercial losses,
and, often from domestic Affections, how
many men find a refuge on the farm. If
the mind is shattered by excessive mem
tai employment, or broken down by mis-
fortune. or some great sorrow, there is
balm, consolation, and often permanent
cure in the pursuit of agriculture and its
kindred arts. This is not a mystery,
but great medical fact. The change
of occupation has its influence physi-
cal labor supplants intellectual drudge
ry; the care Of domestic animals opens
a new fountain of sympathy the air
and sunshine reinvigorate health; and
the fact that you own, possess and have
full dominion over the hills and valleys,
the herds and hocks, the buildings, and
the soil on which they stand, gives you
feeling of superiority, confidence and in.
depend snce.
A writer whose heart was about as
warm as ours, who had great love for
farm-life, and appreciated the farm as a
home, expressed himself as follows:
"When come within sight of my farm,
after having been away, pleasant sem
sation rises within me that no other
feeling can eqnal. I am at home-on
nv own land. These are my acres,
which the combined power of the coun-
try has guaranteed to me. 1t is mine, and
nv heirs forever. Here is security. If
there is anything stable in the world,
this is it. Ny 6reside is therefore built
unon firm foundation. I and my chill
dren are safe. We are not intruded
mon: no one has right to do this; the
strong arm of the law is ever ready to
5efand us. Here have my worship
undisturbed; 1 attend to my concerns
unmolested. In word, am at home"
Farm and FIesids.