The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-07-24
A Plea for the Farmers Son.

Having seen so much printed in vari-
Gus papers in regard to farmers sons,
the reason they should stay on the farm,
&c, and every article l have read serv-
ed to defend the father and censure the
son, it would not be improper perhaps
for one of some experience as farmers
son to pen few thoughts in defence of
some of the young meu who have thus
left the old homestead when they have
become of age, showing the reason, to
father and not the son should be CEN
sured.
And first of all l would have our
"old worthless" should they read this
article, to understand that | do not
wish to place too much demerit upon
them; that is not in the least my inten-
ton, for contend that our good old
fathers who have borne the burden in
the heat of the day with the fail and the
scythe, should have all the praise that
we can give them.
One great reason why some young
men, who have been born and bred on
the farm, leave it as soon as they become
of age, is the tendency of some " old
fogies," perhaps l might call them, to
have everything done in the old-fash-
toned way like we used to do" You
hear them say; they are not going to
have any new invention if they can
help it; no indeed, not they. If their
sons mention something about having
new machine, lately invented, how
soon they give their opinion-the old
way is good enough for me; if you
want better go where you can get it.
And thus the son becomes discour-
aged he takes no interest in the affairs
of the farm, and in fact cannot when
such is the case. So we soon hear of
him devising means to better his condi-
ton; home to him becomes dull drearv
spot, farming seems but little short of
slavery, and at the first opportunity af
forded him he changes his occupation
and goes where he has things more his
own way.
Another reason in this direction that
comes to my mind is the tendency of
too many to think their sons must do
nothing but work! work! work! If
they want days recreation they think
it is like cutting off an arm to spare
them. Of course there are times when
they cannot conveniently be spared :;
but their happiness should be looked at
as far as possible, and not always the
work instead, as is generally the case.
" A II work and no play makes Jack a
dull boy" is an old and very true say
ing. Some farmers try to make almost
two days out of one they are at it
from early till late, day after day, max
ing farming regular drag. And here
| must give my opinion in this direc-
ton: l think farming could be made
more attractive and easy, if We had a
principle to work upon, certain num-
Der of hours for days work, except
special times. The mechanic, the
tradesman, the day laborer, have it so,
and should not We?
Why is it that in these times when
we have machinery for almost every
thing, farming should be looked upon
as the hardest kind of work? All, is
it not because so many make it hard !?
They don't look enough at the way in
which things could be done the quick
est and with the greatest ease, but plod
along from morning until night, satisfied
if they do a good hard days work, with
out regard to the good they may have
accomplished. Such farmers make
labor unpleasant and should not be sur
prised if their sons become careless and
Indifferent.
Now let me, in behalf of the Young
men and boys who are still on the farm,
urge upon you, fathers, to try your part
in making farming be to them pleas
ant, and profitable and worthy occupa-
ton to be engaged in ; let them have as
much recreation as you possibly can
get them to take an interest in the af-
fairs of the farm as soon as they are
old enough to do so; and they will
with perhaps few exceptions) become
attached to the farm, make useful and
good men, and an honor to YOU in your
old age.
Gernaantoscn Telegraph.