Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-03-10
Westminster Farmers Club.

| farm
NATHAN FIsHER-(Was called upon
and in response said.) Mr. President:
| am not prepared to speak upon this
question. do not know where to begin
or what to say that would serve as an in
centive to induce our boys to love the
farm, the fashions and customs of society
are such. Ihave my thoughts but / APP
prehend my advice it proclaimed would
not be needed.
GEO, SABIN. This is very impor
tant question. To make our boys love
the farm how shall we do it2 ! have
no special rules to give, but first | will
attempt to state some Of the objections
that they raise. They are not willing to
take the drudgery on the farm, which
might be ameliorated if we took the
right course they work too hard-make
it slavish life. Says one, 81 worked
them too hard, tuckered them OUT
Well he took the right course to make
them dislike it and l fear many of us
are taking the same course to make them
like it. Another objection is, not short
way to wealth they want to cultivate
their minds so as to be able to investigate
the sciences. Then they are looking at
their future social relations they are
ambitious to take high position, there
fore they seek some other vocation, view
ing the farmer as only the second class
among the aristocracy. Now propose
to give some rules to DO pursued to bet
ter increase their love for the farm. We
must raise the standard of agricultural
persuit. We should also early Undue
their minds with love of agriculture
and they will love it, if there is any
natural taste for it. With some it ought
not to be persisted in, where there is a
natural bias against an agricultural life.
But when boys arequiteyoung take them
out among the stock, show them the good
and bad points, learn them to discrimin-
ate. have seen young men commence
farming who had no judgment, could see
ne difference in the form Of animals, but
by perseverance in time did become eff
ficient Still this might be learned by
sixteen years of age as well as to be
equally learned afterone and twenty-so
as to be able to manage farm. Again,
let the boy have piece of land to carry
on, and give give him all or part of
the products, work with him a little and
he will become interested. Not have it
all mechanical begin early to educate
him in the love of the farm, have him
attend fairs, agricultural clubs, read ag-
ricultural works, he will become inter-
ested and love to stay on the farm The
standard of agricultural education
should be raised; we are not sufficient
Iy educated, there is pressing necessity
for more practical knowledge. We see
it when the head of the farming inter
est is deceased, the farm has to be sold
because the sons had no judgment to man
age it, no practical knowledge for want
of an early training, / have in mind a
case in point that presents the opposite
view. This was lady, the daughter of
a Il. X. contractor, who accompanied
her father from place to place, heard
him talk over his business matters even
telling her freely about them himself and
she became perfectly conversant with
his railroad affairs at time the father
was suddenly taken away, leaving large
unsettled business, and the daughter was
called upon to 60 along with it, for she
best understood it. Now if we would talk
over our business to our boys, let them
buy and sell Small at frst)they will love
it and be successful. Then we ought to
make home attractive, somewhat, have
books, plenty of good reading, innocent
pleasurs. Sir, agriculture is the great
est science there is, and it ought to be
made more lucrative and might be if the
producer and consumer would come
nearer together and remove this long
train of speculation that now lies be.
tween them with high tariff, Why not
combine, not go as we now do upon our
knees and have to take just such prices
as they choose. This would shorten the
road to wealth.
l. n. FARR.--I arise to second the re-
markes, of Mr.. Sabin. Make the BOYS
no drudges, but say to them, boys, put
the basket upon my shoulders will car
ny it as fast as you will pick up; say to
them, pick up that lock of hay it will
help keep your calf or colt. Encourage
them, not to tell them they can't buy
aud pay for farm here the prices are so
high, but tell them they can, for they can
do it.
n. G. PIERcE-Wittily responded to
Mr.. Sabin's remarks misapprehending
Mr.. Sabin's family as being all DAUGHTERS