Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1875-01-27
HOW TO KEEP BOYS ON THEF.RM.
Address "f VI q. Richardson, n. H., of
New Marlboro. Mass.

Address eff VI q. Richardson, n. H., OF
New Marlboro. Mass.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen
Much has been written and said about
improvement of farms and farming imple-
ments, and many have been the discus
>ions about that care OF horses, cattle,
sheep and fowls, by which they shall at
tain the greatest possible perfection. In
all this the farmer should rejoice and be
glad.
But there i higher want for him a
thinking, hungry mind, also, needs food
What provision has he made for himself
wife and children, to meet this want: \
few suggestions on this subject may prop
erly occupy Us for a few moments. No
time i allowed for indefinite remarks
fine sentences. or speculative ideas so |
come at once to the consideration of
practical subject. 1t is said, and with
truth, too, that our sons are inclined to
leave us rs soon a. they grow up. They
are attracted TO mechanical or profession
al life-to almost anything, rather than to
spend their days on farm. There must
be some cause for 80 prevailing teuden-
cy. We live in one of the favored regions
OF our country, as far a. soil. climate and
beautiful scenery are concerned. Besides,
there is an innate love of home to keep
our children with Us. And yet they 20
away.
We can not dispose Of the subject of
pleasant homes 30 summarily. During a
somewhat busy professional life Of TWEEN
ty-tiyc years. | had an opportunity to
notice how people live Perhaps / have
seen a. much OF domestic life among all
classes and professions, ~ most here pres
clt. My observation has led me to this
conclusion. | do not wonder that many
children are di>contcuted. Their homes
are large cHOugh,--uo trouble about that.
We often see q cummOdiOu- front and a
small l.. The main part is virtually UNI
occupied. The kitchen in the l. serves
for wa,h-rOOm, kitchen and dining and
-itting-room. rocking, a it does. with
steam from the Wa,h-bOilcr, and the cook
ing Of meat, tuTuip- and onions. Used in
this manner. IL /, the concentration Of
discomfort, and a prolific source Of dis
else.
The third objection to farmer life,
ia the minds OF our children, l. peril
ucnt Onc.-it- iucompatibility with intel
lectual culture. But this objection j. APP
parent only. not real. uccl not give
mere an inventory Of the aids 10 mental
Improvement in each, or any Of your
homes. You well know what attractions
YOU afford your children IN this way TO
keep them from the resort. of idleucS-
and vulgariry during their leisure hours.
When one compares the abundance in
the barns and gIauarir- with the mcagrc
pittance on the boOk-shclye,. we find, in
many instances. whole families living in
a literary Sahara.
- 1t is Of 10 Use for me 10 buy books
for have no time 10 read, >" says the head
Of the family. What benefit would ii
be TO my children to idle away their time
in reading. when they can be uscfully en-
ployed in other ways:' One word about
that "no time for reading" 1t Is not
true. No time TO read How Is il about
days when one eau not work ont Of doors !
How is it with half hour, when waiting
for meals! How Is it with the long win
ter evenings . The truth j., no other
class Of person, has half the time for gen
eral reading That the farmer las. Besides.
whilst other occupations require that the
mind should give heed 10 what the hands
are doing. much that the farmer does I'm
40 way htrricres with free range Of
-AOUght, and the closest mental iuyc-ti-
cation. This fact gives linn lIe advantage
over the teacher, tl" lawyer. merchant,
physician. and nearly aIl other,. What
hc has read. it may be- in the few minutes
Of his leisure, he can make the subject OF
his thought. for hour \ child. 10 be IN
good bodily health, and grow In stature
and strength, does not need 90 eat all the
time. There must De season for digcs-
ton and sanitation, 10 enable the food
to become q part OF the body. This same
process j. the secret OF mental growth.
To read for hours ia succession is no more