The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-04-07
kSD F1REssDE.
KEEP THE BOYS ON THE
e April number of Scribner

~, of Newport, on the interesting sub
ject of EARN Villages" The writer
has been active in urging the adoption
of improvements in American farming
for many years, and has had good oppor-
tunities for studying the needs of Ameri-
can agriculture. Familiarity with the
life and work of European farmers,
where it is usual for those who cultivate
the soil to live in villages, suggested to
him the idea that the condition of our
own agricultural population could be
much ameliorated by similar concen-
tration into communities where the ma
terial and moral benefits of better social
relations could be secured.
The paper considers the way in which
land may be divided so as to secure the
end in view with the least Inconvenience
to the men who have to till the fields,
and with the least drawback to the bust.
ness of the farmer. Two cases are con-
sidered: l. When it is question of the
settlement of new lands. 2. Where
farm-houses are already scattered over
the country, each on its own farm. In
both cases it is attempted to show how
the details of the plan may be regulated
so as to cause the least annoyance and
loss of time to the men, to compass the
greatest convenience and comfort of the
women, and to provide the best adj
vantages for the younger members of
the community. These two schemes are
illustrated by sufficient diagrams, which
indicate the way in which the farming
land and the village tract should be d.
vided.
Suggestions are also given as to the
laying out of the village green, the care
of roads, paths, grass-ground, and other
open spaces, so far as such suggestions
are appropriate in this connection.
The way in which the proposed change
would affect the work of the farmer, his
wife, his hired men, and his teams, is
fully considered, and it seems to be
demonstrated-while it is admitted that
in immediate money-making there may
be some slight disadvantage-that on the
whole, and in the long run, the general
prosperity of our agriculture would be
advanced by the change.
Considerable space is given to the
comparative effect Of the life of the iso-
lated farmhouse and Of the more soci-
able life of the village on the character OF
the farmer and his family, and, there
fore, on the future farming people of the
country. The following questions indi-
cate the line of rgument:
1t may seem strange doctrine to be
advanced by a somewhat enthusiastic
farmer, but it is doctrine that has been
slowly accepted after many years obser-
vation-a conviction that has taken pos
session of an unwilling mind-that the
young man who takes his young wifi
to an isolated farm house, dooms he
and himself and their children to an I'm
wholesome, unsatisfactory and vacan
ezisteace1q A,o existence marked by th'
~o'on0o "a lore satisfying anc
more cultivating Influences which the
best developmentyof character and in
telligence ssesmahd 1t is a common ex-
Perlehce of farmers wives to pass week
after week without exchanging word
era look with single person outside of
their ewn family circles.
The young couple start braveIy, and
with determination to struggle against
the habit OF isolation which marks their
class; but this habit has grown from
the necessity of the situation and the
necessities of their own situation bring
them sooner or later within its bonds.
During the first few years they adhere
to their resolution and go regularly to
church, to the lecture, and to the social
gatherings of &heir friends but HON e
duties increase wish time, and the eager
ness for society grows dull with neglect,
and those who have started out with the
hrmest determination to avoid the rock
on which their fathers have split, give
up the struggle at last and settle down
to humdrum, uninteresting and unin-
terested performance of daily tasks.
I'm saying all this-andI speak from
experience, for I have led the dismal
life myself-it is hardly necessary to
dlsclaim the least want of appreciation
OF the sterling qualities which have been
developed in the American farmhouse.
II American agriculture has an un-
satisfied need, it is surely the need for
more intelligence and more enterprising
interest on the part of its worl ing men
and women. From one end of the land
to the other, its crying defect-recog-
nized by all-is that its best blood-or
In other words, its best brains and it's
best energy-is leaving it to seek other
nelds OF labor. The influence which
lead these best of the farmers sens to
other occupations is not SO much the de.
sire to make more money, or to find a
less iaborious occupation, as it is the de-
ARE 70 lead -a-nore satisfactory life-a
LIE Where that partef US that has been de-
veioped oy the better, education and
better civilization for which in this cer-
fury we have worked SO hard and 40
well, may find responsive companionship
and encouraging intercourse with 9th
ers.
The social benefits and the facilities