Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-08-26
Farm ann HouseboIo.
Farmers Vacations.

Farmers Vacations.
II i very evident that for several years
the current has been strongly setting away
iron The pursuits OF agriculture. This i
Indicated in inaay ways, and especially by
tie abandonment of Old farms and home
sloads, and by the very general preference
manifested by farmers sons, whether edu-
Gated or not. for some other vacation. The
fact is so generally understood, that il re-
ceiyes the burden OF comment at agricul-
tnral gatherings. and from writers on kin
dred topics; and it is quite as difficult to
give 4 satisfactory solution for its exis-
tence' as to suggest an adeqate remedy for
lis attendant evils. We have no peculiar
philosophy of our own about the matter,
nor do we desire TO indulge in idle specu-
lation. but in all soberness were we to con-
fine ourselves TO single procuring cause
we would say, that farmers themselves
drive their sons from their farms, by max
ing their home life a monotouous round of
almost uninterrupted toll.
1t may perhaps be reasonably Inferred
that the cultivation of the soil under the
change of the season. and the care of fiocks
and herds, would 81 iect a man to other
mastership than his own; and that in some
sense lie might be slave to the laws OF
nature, and even to the necessities of infer
ior animals, and therefore something should
be considered in extenuation: but how hap
pens it that the domestic circle also invad-
I'd and controlled by the same imperious
necessity; and that the wife and daugh-
tiers of the farmer, with distinct class of
employments and under differeu. circum-
stances. still have TO pursue the same tread
mill round: The heads of the family, chill
dren and servants alike are subjected to the
same unyielding pressure; year in, year
out, receive comparatively no relief. II is
very plain that this evil and erroneous prac-
tice springs from no inherent necessities :;
they are not inevitable and inseparably a
part of agricultural lite; on the contrary.
We attribute all TO the fact that each sue
cessiye generation. has blindly and tacitly
a.,..a.,,a.l .I,o traditions Of ,ha fa,hnrr, s,,a
conteutedly stepped into the same grove in
which they walked. In comparison 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 gad-tidings OF rest, and recrea-
uon. 1t is a notorious fact, that the inmates
of the farmhouse are comparatively siran-
gers to the outside world, and almost liter
ally prisoners at home. How many times
during The year do the gates swing out
ward giving them liberty. except on indie
pendence Day; or the Cattle Show; or
when the attractions of the muster field,
or some strolling circus proves too strong
to be resisted: Occasionally, it is true that
the women of the household are allowed to
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;
aud once in while Oh rainy day the
boys are permitted TO 20 q fishing, when
nothing can be done on the farm.
Far be it from us to ascribe an excess OF
selfshness and sordidness to the. noble
army of the cultivators of the soil. or in
the least to underrate the sterling and in
dispensable virtues of industry and eeono-
my, by which as class they are so emn-
emily characterized. Full well do we know
also. that majority OF these faithful, earn
est workers will reply TO us: I'VE must
work. we cannot cease from labor. it re-
quires all our time and the full measure o
our strength to provide for the wants of
Gus families. Gladly would We rest. and
furnish recreation for our household, but
we cannot perform impossiblities, or main
tain ourselves against the inevitable
Here, say we, is the error; labor has been
carried to an extreme il has been suffered
to occupy the entire ground to the exclu-
sion of everything elsei and here we pro-
nounce the condemnation: These ought
We to have done. and not to have left the
other undoRe." The way to accomplish the
most work is to take all needful rest; and
more than this, hot to be content with
mere cessation from labor, but let recrea-
ton, some positive enjoyment, be largely
mingled with it.
More than all men upon the face of the
globe, the Creator designed that the tiler
OF the soil should live in sweet companion
ship with him; enjoying l., their fullness
the blessings of light, and air, aud earth.
and water, the absolute luxury Of living
three score years and ten. sound mind in
sound body, a healthy andlhappy family,
an increase in basket and store-all were
his-and yet how persistently many poor
man hastens 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 conviction that the man who de-
liberately and discreetly lays aside the
cares and labors of the farm and devotes
and occasional season to the refreshment
OF himself and family, will be sure to reap
rich returns So far as body mind and es.
tate are concerned; nor need he ever be
disturbed by visions Of the old homestead
passing away into alien hands.
To those who we trust have yielded as
sent to our conclusions and earnestly ask,
when shall we take our vacation? we re-
ply, now. in this very mouth OF August.
The long day of haying is over, the grain
harvest is not pressing, or may be entrust-
ed to other hands; no opportunity so fav-
orable until the close of the year, and no
season so full of serene and quiet enjoy
ment. Let all make the most of it, Port
land Press.
1ulss for Poultry 1aisers.