Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-10-30
Farm Houses IS. Farm TulGges.

In MS admirable address before the New
England and Maine State Fair, Hon. Geo.
b. Loring made this eloquent plea for the
preservation of the farm houses, IN CON-
menting upon the proposition to substi-
tute village-homes for farmers;
"On the inconvenience Of this mode Of
life which makes the village a place OF
rest, and the far-off farm the scene Of toll
and business, it is unnecessary to enlarge.
The wise and jndicions farmer knows
that his most profitable husbandry Is car
ried on upon the lands which lie directly
around his farm-buildings. The transpor-
tation Of the articles Of farm is expen-
sive enough at any rate, and should be re-
duced to the lowest possible point. The
time and labor spent in transporting ma
nure long distance may destroy It's val
ne entirely, and every experienced man
knows that field adjacent TO the farm
yards Is much more valuable for all farm
purposes than one which lies q mile away.
II is difficult for me to conceive how the
business of farm can be proftably con-
Quoted with the buildings in one locality
and the cultivated fields in another far re-
moved. The buildings on farm should
be the heart of the farm, as near the cen
ter as possible, and readily giving and re-
ceiving all the vital force which is to
make it desirable as q home and place
of business. There can be no economy in
this country in a system Of agriculture
which separates the farmer from his acres.
Nor can there be any social and civil ad
vantage in calling on the landhOlderS Of
America 10 abandon their scatterd home
steads, and take refuge in the populous
streets Of rurai villages.
The example set in this direction by
the small landholders Of continental Eu-
rope is not worthy Of imitation here. But
warned by system which has reduced ag
ricultWe to the point Of the seyerest
drudgery for both men and women, and
has cooled the individual energy and
brought the necessities and wants Of the
people down to the lowest point Of mere
existence, let the American hold on still
to mis- farm-life. His system may be i'm
proved, perhaps, but it cannot be profit
ably or benefcially destroyed or changed.
1.-THE charges made against the farmers
homes are true, let the reform begin in
the homes themselves; indeed, LEI the i'm
provement already begun be continued
for you who are familiar with these homes
know that long ago the tasteful duties Of
life began TO " enter in and dwell there"
and that flowers and books and music
everywhere adorn the prosperous and In
dustrious farmers household.
While, therefore, would IN every way
make the farm life of America as attract
i've as an active and intelligent people de-
sire it should be, and render it at once
gratifying to the tastes and responsive to
the thrift Of busy and cultivated yeo-
maury, would still adhere to the system
OF isolated farms, the abodes Of well-or-
gained families, the nurseries of the best
social and civil virtues.
That the rural villagehss Its part to per-
form IN a system like this every American
knows. That spot where the more arti-
fetal service of life is performed, where
of necessity the business of the mechanic
is conducted, and the municipal work is to
be carried on, and the guides of education
and religion enter especially on their la
bors, will always form most important
part of the civil organization Of our land,
and will furnish all the opportunity for
Improvement and establishment that the
most enthusiastic can desire. 1t is the
mixed life of the town and the country
which most thoroughly BELTS the soil of
America, and is found to-day in great per-