The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-06-08
Farm Life, its Attraction and Influence,
BI BELLE V. HEAPS

READ BEFORE BROAD CREEK GRANGE, MAY 23D,
1871
In no other pursuit or occupation of life is
there presented SO great advantages for making
home pleasant and attractive as in that of a
farmer; and in this advanced age Of modern I'M
provement and moral culture, there is no reason
why our homes should not be the brightest and
most endearing places on earth. God made the
country and man made the town. Can any one,
enjoying the privileges of country life, not real
iZe, with ecstasy through every sense, the vast
difference exhibited in the workmanship of the
two architects? True, all cannot live in the
country. The uses of life in different ways ne
cessitate the growth Of towns. Some prefer Il
city life; others are forced to it by crcum.
stances; but there arc many who might be n-
duced to derive the benefits Of farmers life
could they be persuaded of the reality of these
benefits, and there are Others whose fate has
placed them in the country as farmers, who
find it only an irksomc, dreary life, and look
upon it as only doom to unceasing cnnui and
gloom Could such but be awakened to n sense
of lifes duties and higher aims, and realize the
riches that surround them, they would soon
find, in their own experience, that its compen-
sations rich and rare, and that the life, right
ly viewed, has its many real advantages, its
many superior pleasures.
1t is true that in the monotony of farm life
many allow their feelings and faculties to lie
dormant. They do not realize beyond the mere
money-gctting, the glorious opportunities for
pleasure, improvement and usefulness that lie
scattered around them, as natures bountes
Too few know the charm or resources for hap
piness, either mentally, morally or physically
that lie hidden in our country homes.
Farmers SONS and daughters are now cducat
ed to occupy any position in society, and if they
will exercise this talent in cleyating and deyel
oping the interest of their homes and surround
ings, their homes would soon possess charla
that no other life could give. In no other pur
suit are the lives OF men and women SO intimate
ly connected, and it is necessary that both
should perform their part in order TO accom-.
plish much even on a farm, and hands accus-
toned to the toughest kind Of labor are not in
capable of rendering some attraction to their
home.
The daughters should not forget that there
are arts and sciences to be learned, in the mys-
teres of II well-kupt home, which they only can
impart, and that the art of living well at home,
and of making the family life success, is just
as great in its way the finest shades OF accom-.
plishments, and that all sorts of talents, both
moral and intellectual, are needed for the task.
There is nothing that tends to elevate the
mind to q higher and nobler purpose than
pleasant home, surrouned with trees, fruits and
flowers; and were we confined TO houses in
crowded city, the means of identifying our
homes with these would indeed be limited
But, living as we do in the country, what mind
can fail to appreciate the amount Of privileges
which are ours, II we Out nave the inclination
TO use them That there are q variety of tastes
among farmers, we have only to look around
us for evidence. Ifw sec neat and attractive
home, well laid out grounds, with all the con-
veniences and necessaries of life surrounding it,
what better evidence could we wish of refined
and cultivated mind?
Again we see farm where the owners only
idea is in the dollars and cents that J. can make
who never lets his Improvements cX end beyond
the acreage he can cultivate; who evidently
thinks that time or money would be lost il spent
in making his home attractive. Such person
has no idea of intellectual improvement, and
may perhaps raise up his family TO detest the
lifesby refusing to them the privileges and en-
joyments that are requisite to make them love
the life, until they are driven to seek fascina-
ton elsewhere.
The secret of success in identifying our homes
and making them a credit to ouI selves and
others, lies within the reach of all who choose
TO avail themselves of it, and it should be the
duty as well as pleasure of every one who loves
the free and independent life of a farmer. We
do not advocate extravaganza in SO doing, for
it is unnecessary where nature is ever ready TO
yield her rich gifts. The advice and instruction
given you by some of the officers of the Grange