Ellsworth American., 1874-06-04
Farm ann bousrboID.
The Farm for Boys.

/, has of1en occurred to me to say a
word for the encouragement of farmers
boys. They sometimes get impatient Of
the work the confinement and the re-
straiuts Of home OF the farm. In some
eases there Is. perhaps. too much reason
Tor it; and in others. and probably the ma
iority of cases, 1t arises from an idea. by
no means well founded that boys differ
entity situated. in the village or city. hold a
fai more desirable position. and have the
advantage of them. In poirt OF fact they
have 10 occasion To envy the lot Of their
city cousins.
A long experience and obs ervation. with
rare opportunities of comparison. have sat
isfed me that the practical labors of the
farm which boy, are called upon and ex-
pected to perform. even the humble chores,
with their ceaseless aud often monotonous
round, constitute the very best and most
valuable part of the practical education Of
life. They do more to lay The foundation
% health and strength, Of physical and
the gymnasium. and all the contrivances
for physical culture in the city Schools
vastly more.
The advantage which the boy of the city
has is only apparent. lie is brought up
like a hot house plant. and lacks the
strength and vigor of mind which 4 slower
mental development ani the health giving
and invigorating air and out-of. door eX-
erci>e of the country give. Take an equal
number of boys from the city. from cir
cumstances as nearly equal a they can be
found, aud in the struggle for lie and posi-
tion, whether ii be social. political or
pccuuiary. the boys from the farm will
come out ahead. They may not, at first,
appcar 80 quick, so ready TO adapt them
selves TO circumstances. or so accomplish
el for their age. but in the long run they
viii generally get the better Of the boy,
from the city.
The greatest apparent disadvantage is in
early education. The city boy seems. at
iirst sight, 10 be highly and especially
favored. lie has what are called the best
schools and the best teachers that money
can procure. He is driven 10 learn, wheth-
-r he will or no. and at the age OF twelve
or fifteen he will show greater readiness
aud proficiency in study, and be able to
write better. and, perhaps, to read and
speak better and with more self-possession
before the school on exhibition and other
DAYS. But even here the advantage i.
rather apparent thar real.
With n complete knowledge OF the meth
eds pursued. both in country and in city
schools. and the most ample opportunities
OF comparison from close observation oi
the results obtained in both. | should un-
besitatingly give the preference to the
country and to farm life for a boy. 10 mat.
ter what his future is to be.
The city school is run on too high q
pressure of competition. a much too higl
a. the country school is too low. OF tn.
two systems. of graded aud ungradec
schools. am inclined TO think the latter
will show the better results when the
health and mental vigor of the pupil
through lite are considered. IL boy il
the country school has any snap. an,
ambition and manliness IN him. he can e
ahead and work out his own destiny NOR,
freely and with greater energy. He will
in the end. accomplish more. if he has thu
elements OF success in him. If he has not
no school will ever put them into him.
Let every farmers boy, therefore, learr
to appreciate the value of time; learn Il
feel that he is to be the architect Of hi
own fortune; learn TO cherish high aim
and lofty purposes of self culture. an,
learn TO realize the fact that the farm viii
furnish ample scope for the growth an,
development Of all the elements of man
ly. high-toned and noble character.
[Chas. L. Flint, in Mass. Ag. Report