Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-01-22
Westminster Farmers Club.

Jan. 10Th.
Subject-Are farmers homes at the
present time, as desirable as they were
twenty-five years ago?
REV. F. P. BARNARD.-Just why |
have been called to lead in this discus
sion matters but little. have accepted
the position, though | am not certain that L
quite understand the question. DO we
wish to know whether they are as pleas
ant and agreeable, or whether they are
attended with an equal or greater degree
of talent and enterprise? Were | to
consider the question of home and its
surroundings, l should accept the affirm
alive of the question. Were / to ask,
are they as comfortable and attractive
and do they promote the highest inter
ests of the individuals occupying them,
as favorably as at the commencement of
the period in question, / think the an
swer would be in favor of the same side.
am and have always been inclined to
take a favorable view of the subject.
Perhaps you say ] am an observer and
know very little about the inside work
There is force in the remark, yet as / &c
back in mind and recall the surround.
ings and the advantages of the farmer
of to-day, with all the improved means
of lessening the WEAKNESS of labor and
compare them with those of twenty OF
twenty-five years ago, am confirmed il
my opinion that there has been great
Improvement. / go into communitie;
where l am less acquainted and / FIND
the attractiveness of farmers homes de
ponds much upon individual enterprise
and | should dislike very much TO be
lieve that less of that enterprise isattend
antupon theoccupation than formerly. i
the farmers surroundings were pleasant
twenty-five years ago they are univer.
sally so at the present time. With the
implements of machinery now available
the farmer finds more time for improve
ments. The conveniences of housekeep
ing have been greatly improved. Great
Improvement has been made in the con
struction of the farmhouse. The full
supply of water has reached many
homes where before it was only brough
by physical force. Women are able t,
perform their duties with less labor, ant
housekeeping is not as much dreaded
The arrangements for the business o
dairying are very far in advance of wha
they were twenty-eight years ago. / an
aware that many farmers feel that the,
have very little time to plant trees, re
build barns and fences, to ornamen
their homes and make them more at
tractive, yet those who have labored il
this direction have contributed to tn
pleasures of home, and it appears to m
have made them more attractive and de
: sirable.
GEO. NJ. CHAsE.-To me farmer
homes were pleasant and attractive z
: years ago. In them have always foun
J pleasure, and observe that many NOR
people are seeking farmers homes tina
I formerly, and l ask the question, why
: it thus? Il it not because farmers ar
= more liberal, because they furnish NOR
: ready means of social and intelleetua
= improvement. because they are bette
s. furnished with food and clothing and a
= the same time find more opportunitie
: for recreation Work generates happi
ness, happiness opens the heart to beney
olence, and benevolence is an unmistak
able expression of higher appreciation
lof life and its surroundings. A HON