Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-03-21
How Shall we Keep the Young Men
on the Farm?

IAN Essay read before the meeting of the Vermont
Board of Agriculture a. Westminster.J
Lest this honorable body may feel a
sensational shudder, fearing that wo-
mans rights are about to be established,
| will say that in the solicitation of this
essay small potatoes were referred to,
to which the solicitor replied that in the
course of events they we're necessarily
found among the large ones; therefore l
submit this as such.
claim to be a farmers wife and a
farmers daughter of the olden time,
when, as one has said, the piano was a
loom, the parasol broom, and novels a
Bible. l am happy to say servants did
not have the fatigue of using them, or
share the benefits in our domicile. A
little diverging from the subject, but we
will eventually arrive at the point, after
rounding few corners, which are ever
an annoyance to progress.
The question, "How shall we keep our
young men on the iarm?" is of modern
origin, caused by the increase of induce
ments TO leave overbalancing the attrac-
tions to remain. The profit in either
case shall not attempt to discuss, but
merely hint at causes and effects in a
fraternal and social point of view. 1t is
not the work of an hour, day, or
year, to cause boy to be farmer. 1t
very necessarily commences in early life
to be effectual, for to what do we cling
with more tenaeity of memory than our
earliest recollections, and as there is no
standpoint in character, habits must
grow with growth and strengthen with
strength.
Now, there are no silent partners in
the family circle in this drama of life.
None can eIude responsibility if they
would. The first ten years forms the
nucleus of all that comes after, for the
reason that observation is not impeded
by cares and anxieties of after life and
yet it is necessary that some trifiing re-
sponsibility should be required, causing
him, though small, to feel that he is Of
some account, and also intimating your
confidence in his ability, and, at the same
time, your approval of his success. 1t
will stimulate him to adopt that excel
lent motto, Try again.
Now, Father, if you desire your son
to be farmer, let him, early and ever,
see you take labor cheerfully, never dis
trusting the promise that "Seed time and
harvest shall not fail" Confidence you
must have in your child. | do not mean
that which is blind to faults, but that
which is slightly veiled with the mantle
of charity. Let irmness and the better
judgments accompany reproof, not pas
sion. And, again, there is magic in the
little word mine, therefore let him feel
that he has earned something, be it ever
so small, and have the satisfaction of
calling it ''mlne," and also of disposing
of it himself, without opposition, for
nothing will discourage him sooner than
opposition to'all his plans. He may not
do at first what you would call the most
profitable, but he will not need his fin
gers burned many times before he will
learn wisdom by experience. for it is
justly called good teacher.
Sympathy in little trials and co-opera-
tion in pleasures and pastimes will effect
much in the desired direction. Whatev-
Ell you grant, do it cheerfulIy, and what
you feel it duty to refuse, strive to do in
manner that he will see and feel it for
his best good.
Brother, (the older one, / mean), il
you stand in your proper place in this
scene of real life, YOU can do much for
the welfare of the younger by making
his happiness yours, and causing him to
feel that you love his society. But, on
the other hand, you become irritable and
passionate when he comes near you, and
if he should express wish to accompa-
ny you in walk or ride of pleasure,
you call him trundle-bed trash, he will
invariably be seen wandering off, he
cares not where, and will catch at the
first temptation he meets, partly out OF
spite to you, and partly to sootbe in
jured feelings. Brother, beware how
you trifle with brother, lest you not only
drive him from home and the farm, but
from the straight and narrow path which
leadeth unto life.
Mother and daughter, you are last.
but not least in this matter; 1t is con-
ceded by all thata cheerful. pleasant, hap.
py home serves as magnet to keep boys
at home. 1t is therefore the immediate
duty of mother and daughter to strive
to make it so. Now you cannot effect it
by leaving the work to servants, and
making yourselves mere automatoms to
fashion, set up in the parlor like fancy
pictures, only to be looked at, neither