Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-06-08
Why Boys Leave the Farm.

PEOPLE in these days frequently inquire
of the farmer, "Why doesn't your son re-
main on the farm with your" and many
are wondering why it is that young men
are leaving the country and seeking homes
in the cities and villages.
Doubtless, many an old farmer has
thought the answer 'plain to be seen, and
in his careless way has expressed his idea.
Boys n0ao "a days are dreadful Uneasy
there's nothing to um." We do not doubt
that boys are often inconsiderate and not
unfrequently are deluded in their visionary
dreams of life; but we cannot believe the
youth of the present are altogether un-
reasonable and entirely given to wild spec
ulations.
We have seen New England boys grow
ing up to manhood on the farms of their
fathers, and our practical experience and
observation have taught us that gross
errors are made which lead many young
men to leave the farm, and which cannot
be attributed entirely to the young men
themselves.
Let us make practical illustration ::
There is smart, active boy OF fifteen sum-
mers. His father is farmer of moderate
means, and entertains, in common with
his neighbors, many old "fogyisms." Dur
ing the winter his boy is privileged to at
tend school few weeks if he is diligent
and faithful to do the chores before and
after the school session of each day. In
these few weeks of each year he is to get
what his father terms learning enough
for farmer" From April to November
he must work On the farm; where WOrk is
the all prevailing motto from early morn
till dewy eve" No matter if he cannot
hoe more than half row while his father
hoes whole one, he must stay in the field
and keep digging along. No matter how
much his limbs ache and he longs for q
brief recreation, he must persevere and,
by "steady toll in his youthful days, learn
to be Industrious"
Our friend, whom we will name John,
is not lazy; but as he advances in years,
he looks about him and sees mechanics
getting larger wages for ten hours labor
than he could get on farm for toiling
from sun to SUM-" Can we say he is de-
luded, when, having arrived at the age of
twenty one, he says, l have had enough
OF farming I'll hang up my hoe for while
and see if can't find something more inte-
resting than this weary, plodding life"
Our friend has seen out little bea.1y5t=aa.Aa
farming. He has never had but one piece
of ground to plant himself, and that was a
rough, tough piece of pasturage, on which
! sheep would starve to death. His father
has always taught him to be industrious,
to rise early in the morning; for tbs the
early bird that catches the worm" and " if
he would succeed in life, he must make
long days in the field" He has never
taught him to observe and study the beau
ties Of nature, and listen to her voices ne
has never taught him to study the works
of his Creator, and by that study see un-
written, but instructive volumes. Oh no!
and as for reading, John finds very little
time for that. The old gentleman says
"ihere isn't time for it on farm, and farm
ers don't need much book farming. These
book farmers get awfully sucked in"
Thus our friend John is. taught to see
only dull routine in q farmers life. We
are not disposed to derogate regularity,
perseverance, and industry in the educa-
ton of boys but these should be seasoned
with little of boys common sense. HUI
man nature cannot be entirely set aside in
the culture of youth, without serious detri-
ment to them; and the idea that growing
boys should be taught to labor from sun
rise to shutdown, in the long days of spring
and summer, thatthey may learn industry,
is an absurdity. They should be taught to
cultivate the heart and mind more; to read
agricultural works, and learn improved
ways, and as they become interested in
some new idea Of raising particular crop,
why not let them experiment and satisfy
their minds of its goodness or worthless
nessf There is no teacher like experience.
II boys are interested in poultry, why not
let them commence business for them
selves, with small "stock in trader" Why
not encourage the young men who are to