The Portland daily press., 1875-09-07
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Farmers Camp Meetings.

The FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Farmers Camp Meetings.
There is natural and almost instructive
longing among all classes of men, even the
most refined and civilized, to throw off occa-
sionally the restraints and conventionalities
of routine life, and TO revert to the aboriginal
stock-as it were to become wild again.
How the Jews of old must have enjoyed
their Feast of the Tabernacles, leaving their
solid houses OF stone or earth and dwelling
for season In booths made from leafy and
fragrant boughs, and thus at the time of the
harvest recalling the memories of their prim-
Tive nomadic life.
With US this tendency manifests itself more
especially in summer and early autumn, as
then the air is milder and the season more
inviting, as wood, hill and stream put on
their loveliest garb and present their full at
fractions. Then do the disciples of Izaak
Walton vex brook and river and lake; the
huntsman penetrates the forest anG the will
derness; pedestrians climb the mountains
and 60 down the valleys for pleasure or in
the pursuit Of science; and endless picnic
parties dream away in luxurious idleness the
long summer hours.
We cannot avoid noticing that in this
round of mere pleasure and enjoyment pre-
vailing tendency towards gregariousness as
serts itself; desire for association and union,
which is also equally and perhaps more ap-
parent in those occasions and opportunities
whose design is to convey wholesome in
struction. or to consult together respecting
measures that promise to benefit the race
The Camp Meeting, we suppose, origina-
ted with and sprapg from the necessary lie
Of the soldier; whether as participator in
the bloody scenes of battle, or merely pu-
pill in the mimic maleuvres and displays of
the muster field-in either place by precept
or example he is learner in the school of
War. In order that men NAV be drilled in
all The movements of an army, and made
familiar with military discipline, it is abso-
lutely necessary that they should be with.
drawn from the cares and employments of
domestic and social life. and that their exclu-
sive and uninterrupted attention should be
given to this ore thing-neither heart nor
brain must be allowed to entertain any other
occupant.
1t has been found that the same thing holds
good in other directions, and thus for the
successful presentation and enforcement of
great moral and religious truths, it has
proved expedient to invite men to leave their
homes and to ta1e up their abode for time
in Goods first temples" where in tent, or
camp, or cottage they may listen to the spok-
en- word as it falls from the lips in mingled
harmony with the music of birds and woods
and waters.
In several of the departments of science
especially geology, mineralogy, botany and
natural history, professors and instructors
find in their tent life on shore or mountain,
not only the very best opportunities for inn
parting practical instruction with the book of
nature vide open before them, but also the
most earnestness, attention and proficiency
on the part of their pupils.
Without adducing any further illustrations
we may say, that we do not see why this
method which under judicous management
as frequently proved to be productive of SO
scrbed by narrow limitations. 1t seems to
us that the same or similar machinery, and
nearly all of the connected circumstances
might be harmoniously adjusted to the ac-
complishment of other ends. We trust there
fore that farmers will not long suffer this OPP
portunity for a combination of pleasure and
profit, to be unimproved for the promotion of
their own special interest.
This is the camp-meeting season and the
very atmosphere is full Of suggestiveness and
encouragement; how pleasant for farmers
and their families to be encamped on some
central and convenient farm, well fitted by its
capacities and surroundings for experimental
tests and Investigations; or better still, on the
grounds of an agricultural society at the time
of their annual exhibition. Thus would thew
not only derive benefit from better opportuni-
ties for examination, comparison and study,
but they would thereby contribute new fea-
ture to gatherings otherwise noisy and sensa-
tional. and introduce the quiet and refining
influences of home life.
We do not doubt that this feature of mod
ern improvement will one day be incorporat.
ed into our agricultural meetings. For the
present however, we simply recommend, that
at the cattle show and fair farmers come pre-
pared with blankets and provisions to camp
on the ground. Let them come with the de-
terminate ion of making the occasion school.
place for study. Let them devote DAYS. or
large portions Of them to blowing; not only
as a match between cattle ald horses, but for
the purpose of comparing and testing plows,
then follow with harrows and rollers. and
perhaps plant and SOW the ground, merely 70
show the operation of other implements.
Let them give ample time to the careful
trial OF the strength OF animals; of horses in
walking, trotting and the requirements for
family use Let the most skillful opera
tors dress and prepare for market the differ
ent animals raised on the farm, exhibiting On
the ground the best methods and mosc mod
ern improvements; and so on with many of
the operations and manipulations of the
farm.
At the close OF days spent in such practical
illustrations how appropriately the evenings
might be passed in the discussion of kindred
topics, and the scores of questions which
need consideration and settlement.
One hundree earnest and intelligent men
thus making the most and best of such an
opportunity, would accomplish more for the
permanent benefit of themselves and neigh
bsrs, than is ordinarily done by one hundred
agricultural exhibitions of the average stamp
and quality.
BoiledIGrape Pudding.
Pare rich, tart apples, and cut to the size
OF chestnut Cor by cutting each quarter in
Jour pieces), and add an equal measure of
grapes, say one pint of each, and stir into it
TWO spooniuls OF whaat-meal. Then make a