The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-11-15
The Question Of Deserted Farms.

Much has been said by poet and
writer on the subject of deserted
farms and still there is abundant
room for more before the truth of
the matter is reached. It is true
aud much regretted fact that during
the past five or eight years many
farms have been given up, and many
young men, had they had chance
offered them on the farm, would to-
day have been far better off than
they now are in the callings they
almost reluctantly chose. say re-
luctantly; yes, and mean it tor
know young men who are anxious to
farm it," but their parents not be-
ing willing, they are forced to 60 in
to store, or some other establish
ment. Any whyi Is it because
their parents do not regard farming
as honorable-as an industery be-
meath them 4! Not that; but in con.
versation with one whose son do
lights in the wealth and freedom of
the farm, he said /: Farming is all
right, but 1 believe my boy can OBJ
tain q livelihood easier than on tn,
farm and although he desired
farm l wish him to try a merchants
life shall differ with this gentle-
man for every young man who has
desire and relish for farming
should be gratilied. if possible.
What causes 80 many failures and
makes so many bankrupts 1t is
Observation-Disclosures people into
branch of business they have no in.
terest in other than the money in
vested who cannot enter into it
with their whole soul and purpose.
Older persons are suffered the
freedom Of choice why not, I ask,
allow the young man the same right.
ful privilege 7
Again, why do so many young
men leave the farm I because. nine
times out of ten, the boys colt is
tho fathers horse tho boys steers
the fathers oxen. They arc the
boys SO long as they are kept, bat
when they are sold, the money goes
into tue fathers pockets and there
stays.
Why not encourage your boy by
presenting him bank no.e of tho
amount! Why not treat him as
opo who will occupy your place in
lew years p? Why not encourage him
by giving him an interest in the old
arm Why not show, by word aud
Iced, that farming is honorable, and
hat you wish to encourage him to
and not, by withholding
III these, force him to the conclusion
hat farming dries up oil the kind
less and parently affection of pa
'ent, and oblige him to believe that
le must try something where he
'an obtain livelihood and more,
,r lose his best days delving with
Encouragement, waiting for dead
mems shoes T.
This is nothing moro nor less
han self evident truth and in
Giew of this truth, can we wonder
IS we look over our state and find
10 many farms, once occupied, but
low deserted B.?
A young man Of ordinary ability
md keen intelligence, when he ar
ives at the age Of twenty or twenty
,ne is not going to remain on the
arm unless Oh interest of some kind
8 offered, for it is nntural for him
70 think he can do better.
We knew of an active agricultu-
list once, who now through intirmi-
y OF years, is unable to work on
he farm, who has been blessed with
! large family of children, but now
u his last days he and his wife are
'lone-- failing to so encourage any
'ne OF the many sons aud daughters
lufficientiy to remain with them
Turing their declining days.
For the reasons named, many, I
10 not say all, of our smartest boys
IN arising at the age OF manhood
'trike out in the world in q new di,
ection, either in our cities or the
Vest, and il we wish to retain them
lere, and witness, instead OF deser.
ing, thriving farms, we must pay
ONE heed to that maxim DO as
'ou would be done BY and con sid,
II that the son has an interest in
'ommon with the father, il rightly
encouraged, and rights that should
eceive some respect and we shall
ave less cause to fret over deserted
arms, and the abandoning OF them
y our young men. n.-JeQersoa, in
Mirror and Farmer.