The Republican journal., 1871-02-23
Farm Garden, and Household
HOW TO KEEP THE BOYS AT HOME.

tul year after year, 10 recruit the ranks Of other
ceilings. 70 certain extent this Is rs it should hc,
lor where under the broad canopy of heaven, can
w" hook Ter Young men, strong. upright, energetic
ald a,a'tb5, il tot to the nloal country? All can
not Toe hi.btndinrn there must be other trades and
professions to render al; convenient and profitable.
Other occupations viewed ut distance, and con
trAstrl by the boys at home ON the farm with their
"verv day laborous. and 10 many of them ink some
tasks. present alluring features and hold out many
attractions that seem truly golden.
But this drain from rural towns to cities and
villages, often goes so far that not enough left
Al home 10 carry ON the old homestead, or to fill
the farming ranks Even where there We're large
families, one ops after another, I'LL the Old
place and old couple left in their totterin@ age,
nlono to buffet the storms of life and unsharcd by
The presence of even the youngest of the circle,
that blessed The old rooftree with their merry
music OF youthful laughter, song, and glad young
life.
The result is an ovcr-crowding of the avenues of
trade, OF the professions aud the mechanical avo-
cations. 1t is true that there is some ''up stairs
iii any calting,-that is for rst-class smart ener-
getc men There is perhaps the most urgent need
for them in Agriculture. with as much comfort
better health, and rs little labor. and as sure profits
in any thing. No man can succeed in any call
ings without deyoing his best energies to accom-
plishing desired results.
We should not aim 10 keep all Of the boys at
home On the ftrm,-this would not be wise-but
we should try to keep more than are doing.
And how shall we accomplish so desirable an OBJ
ject? How shall we induce them to embrace for
livelihood the noblest of callings, the most indepen
dent, and Nj the same time that if it holds out
no inducements OF larger wealth. is more certain
10 lead to moderate than any other? 1t
not be done by force, it cannot be reached by legs
lalion 1t lies in the early education of the boy in
father example and life and in the dear interests
OF home carly implanted, if at all, in the human
soul
Improvement is one OF the means TO be used, let
not parents glory in ignorance, and deny the ad-
Ntntages oi education to their children, thinking
that out Of sight, out Of mind, and that ignorance
best become those that delvc and reap, that it will
bind them to farm life, by not being fitted for
thing that they regard as higher. Improvement in
parents themselvcs,-a keeping up with the times
at least rs far news of the country and progress
Of Agriculture is concerned. No man has II better
right or more need to cultivate and improve him
self than he who till- the soil. Papers and choice
magazine, costing but few dollars render about
the household that takes and reads, an attraction
that never is known where they strangers. A
good Agricultural paper whose weekly visits brings
knowledge, sunshine and pleasure can hardly be
over estimated in lis usefulness to the farmer $
occupation, or in rendering home attractive to the
boys it may contain. 1t is all educator that incul
Gates higher stand point, better life, and love
for home and it surroundings
a few dollars laid out in rendering the home
more attractive, also tends toward retail ming the
affection and presence of the boys If too poor TO
have good convenient, not to say elegant buildings,
the farmer can have at least comfortable ones. BE
ii even small cottage, it can be made pleasant and
attractive Its exterior with aid of cheap paint or
wash can be made to attract instead of repeling
flowers may bloom beside the door, the vine may
climb beside some window or even IA rude tres.
The grounds about it can be kept free OF rubbish.
the stables need not be unsi.htly barracks if of
rough material and poor construction. Trees may
be set out upon the roadway, in leisure hours, and
aJout the house and yards. Orchards may be
Started, or if already existing, he made sources OF
pleasure by proper attention rather than cye-sores
to all lovers of order and beauty.
There is in the soul of every man IN inate love
ot beauty Ii may be blurred over by the grosser
passions, or chokod ont by neglect, but down deep
though it may be, il is there In the young il lies
nearer the surface and is more easily walked. In
our young days how fresh and distinct everything
stood out; the birds and flowers had Il langallagc
the heart could read, the clouds of Heaven were
beautiful pictures, and mixed mystcriously Will
The blue depths beyond, with an expression that
called M weird yet fascinating thoughts in tho
mind. Tho leaves that rustled in the wind, til,
white, pure snow of winter, the blue, shining
rrystai ice, the gentle pattins rain drops on tht
pane, ami d the varied scenes Of Nature madl
deep ltsting impressions on the heart.
We should try and gather a few of the many
beauties of Natures lavish store and mpant then
about, and Within dwellings. These will dc
more to breed love of country life in our boys
then scores of set lectures, or plenty o! creature
comforts with hard, unadorncd labor, and home,
TO match. few of these graces caught from tn,
great ocean around us, and made particularly ou
own will make many bright spots amid the deser
of life II will be like the beacons light tha
guides the Mariner while it falls soft and sweet OF
the inmates that tend its rcplenshing.
In the house, however small, provide place
where the family can gather evenings and othc
unoccupied times about the hearth-stone, the
table, and read, commune or enjoy innocent recre
alton that rests while it profits. The walls shoult
be made attractive with pictures. The floor Il car
pet cheap, Though it may be. This ''sitting-room'
next after the kitchen is the most important room
OF the house. 1t should De rendered homc-ke
tidy, and attractive. Better work harder and at
tain its benefits, than forego its usefulness per
haps you may say it is iooshness, a new tangled
thing not Tor plain man like me. If not for you
then for the love you bear your children. The,
zee them elsewhere. They know you are as abb,
iences others, no better OF than you. that hay
aud enjoy their comforts.
Treat the boys not servants, but rs become
their state and standing. Encourage their effort
in wedoing, give them piece of land to cultivate
for themselves. Interest them in the business ant
let them know that they are of some account in thu
world, that they are to make men, and not be mere
ly machines; that drudgery is not alone confined tt
farming and that their future is your dearest earth
ly prospect
Money is not the chief end of life 1t has fa
higher aims and dearer objects, and all its enerSie
should not be devoted to gold that perishes" les
we perish with it, The world is not benefited 81
much by the wealthy as by the good Competence
is desirable and should be the object of all, yet no
the ohy object. In other way is it 80 ccrtainl,
attaiha"ie Us In the farmers vocation 1t ma,
come faster in Others but it oftener comes not Al
all.
WOOL MATTRESS.