The Portland daily press., 1875-08-16

THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Farmers Vacations,

Farmers Vacations.
1t is very evident that for several years the
current has been strongly setting away from
the pursuits of agriculture. This is indicated
in many ways, and especially by the aban-
donment OF old farms and homesteads, and
by the very general preference manifested by
farmers sons, whether educated or not, for
some other vocation. The fact is so gener-
ally understood, that it receives the burden
OF comment at agricultural gatherings, and
from writers on kindred topics; aid it is
quite as difficult to give satisfactory solu-
ton for its existence, as to suggest an ade-
gate remedy for its attendant evils. We have
no peculiar philosophy of our own about the
matter, nor do we desire to indulge in idle
speculation, but in all soberness were we to
confine ourselves to single procuring cause
we should say, that farmers themselves have
their sons from their farms, by making their
home life monotonous round of almost I'M
interrupted toll.
1t may perhaps be reasonably inferred. that
the cultivation of the soil under the change
of the season, and the care of focks and herds,
would suject man to other mastership than
his own; and that in some sense he might be
a slave to the laws of nature, and even to the
necessities of inferior animals, and therefore
something should be considered in extenua-
1ion; but how happens it that the domestic
circle also invaded and controlled by the same
imperious necessity; and that the wife and
daughters Of the farmer, with distinct class of
employments and under different circum-
stances still have to pursue the same tread
mill round? The heads of the family, children
and servants alike are subjected to the same
unyielding pressure; year in, year out, re-
ceive comparatively no relief 1t is very plain
that this evil and erroneous practice. springs
from no inherent necessities; they are not in
evitaby and inseparably part of agricultur-
al life; on the contrary, we attribute all to
the facts that each successive generation, has
blndly and tacitly accepted the traditions of
the fathers, and contentedy stepped into the
same grove in which they walked. In COM
paIison with other classes of men, none are
SO ready to hear and believe in the gospel of
labor as farmers: or SO reluctant to listen to
the equally glad-tidings ofrest, andrecreation.
1t is notorious fact, that the inmates of the
farmhouse are comparatively strangers to the
outside world, and almost literally prisoners
at home. How many times during the year
do the gates swing outward giving them liber-
ty, except on Independence Day; or the Cat
tie Show; or when the attractions of the mus
ter field, or some stroling circus proves too
strong to be resisted? Occasionally, it is true
that the women of the household are allowed
10 take the team to town or city; but some
thing must be carried with them to market,
or brought back as freight on their return;
and once in while on rainy day the boys
are permitted to 60 fishing, when nothing
can be done on the farm.
Far be it from us to ascribe all excess of
selfishness and soIdidness to the noble army
of the cultvators of the soil, or in the least
to underrate the sterling and indispensable
virtues of industry and economy, by which
as class they are SO eminently character
lied. Full well do we know also, that ma
jority Of these faithful, earnest workers will
reply to us: "We must work, we cannot
cease fro m labor, it requires all our time and
the full measure of our strength to provide
for the wants of our families. Gladly would
we rest, and furnish recreation for our house.
hold, but we cannot perform impossibilities,
or maintain ourselves against the inevita.
ble." Here, say we, is the error; labor has
been carried to an extreme: it has been suf-
fered to occupy the entire ground to the ex-
clusion of everything else; and here we pro-
nounce the condemnation: ''These ought
ye to have done, and not to have left the
other unGone." The way to accomplish the
most work is to take all needtul rest; and
more than this, not to be content with mere
cessation from labor, but let recreation, some
positive enjoyment, be largely mingled with
it.
More than all men upon the face of the
globe, the Creator designed that the tiller of
the soil should live in sweet companionship
with Him; enjoying in their fullness the
blessings of light, and air, and earth, and
water, the absolute luxury Of living three
score years and ten, sound mind in sound
body, ehealthy and happy family, an in
crease in basket and store-all were his-and
yet how persistently many poor man hast
ems his steps to the grave and there lays
down prematurely worn and wasted body,
leaving behind him race with perhaps less
vitality than his own. 1t is our firm convic-
ton that the man who deliberately and dis
creetly lays aside the cares and labors of the
farm and devotes an occasional season to the
refreshment of himself and family, will be
sure to reap rich returns so far as body
mind and estate are concerned; nor need he
ever be disturbed by visions of the old home
stead passing away into alien hands.
To those who we trust have yielded assent
10 our conclusions and earnestly ask, when
shall we take our vacation? we reply, now,
in this very month of August. The long
drag of haying is over, the grain harvest is
not pressing, or may be entrusted to other
hands; no opportunity so favorable until the
close of the year, and no season so full of
serene and quiet enjoyment. Let all make
the most Of it.
Poisons for Insects
We are learning more each successive year
how to treat destructive insects. New reme-
dies, and how and where to apply them, are
becoming better understood. One of the
most successful in the form of poisons, is the