The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-03-29
FARM AND EIRESIDE.

Lees last words to Nelson we're: "Aim at
my heart" The body was then given to rel
atives in Cedar City.
FARM AND FIREsIDE.
How TO KEEP THE BOYS ON THE
FARM.-The April number of Scribner
contains paper by the well-known ag-
ricultural author, Col. George B. War
ing, 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 a 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 ad-
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 di-
vided.
Suggestions are also given as to the
, laying out of the village green, the care
t 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
v wife, his hired men, and his teams, is
n fully considered, and it seems to be
demonstrated-whil it is admitted that
If in immediate money-making there may
g be some slight disadvantage-that on the
vt whole, and in the long run, the general
prosperity of our agriculture would be
% advanced by the change.
Considerable space is given to the
ss comparative effect of the life of the iso
re lated farmhouse and of the more soci
at able life of the village on the character o
the farmer and his family, and, there
fore, on the future farming people of thu
'z country. The following questions indi
ne cate the line of arg gument:
ie 1T may seem strange doctrine to b
as advanced by a somewhat enthusiast
n farmer, but it is doctrine that has bee1
tn slowly accepted after many years obser
nd vation-a conviction that has taken pos
N: session of an unwilling mind-that th
oi young man who takes his young wit
8 to an isolated farmhouse, dooms he
nv and himself and their children to an ur
ic. wholesome, unsatisfactory and vacan
ms existence-an existence marked by th
of absence of those more satisfying an
more cultivating influences which th
re- best development of character and il
Ae- telligence demand. 1t is common e.
-. perience of farmers wives to pass wee
,b. after week without exchanging wor
me or look with a single person outside
on their own family circles.
he "The young couple start bravely, an
ol with determination to struggle again
10 the habit of isolation which marks the
class; but this habit has grown fro
.z the necessity of the situation and tt
necessities of their own situation brir
.ch them sooner or later within its bond
vas During the first few years they adhe
M to their resolution and 60 regularly
w church, to the lecture, and to the soci
an. gatherings of their friends; but hon
;he duties increase with time, and the cage
: ness for society grows dull with neglec
8: and those who have started out with tt
to frmest determination to avoid the roc
, Of on which their fathers have split, giv
of up the struggle at last and settle dow
the the to humdrum, uninteresting and uni
nee nee terested performance of daily tasks.
he Gin saying all this-and 1 speak fro
esi. e. experience, for 1 have led the dism
on. life mysel-it is hardly necessary
isit disclaim the least want of appreciate
INN INN of the sterling qualities which have be-
|, to developed in the American farm-hou'
ore y Il n X
ia ecs "If American agriculture las an u
our satisfied need, it is surely the need /
inn more intelligence and more enterprise
van ~ interest on the part of its working m
ent and women. From one end of the la
ion to the other, its crying defect-rect
1nsv %sv nized by all-is that its best blood,
the in other words, its best brains and
1gle best energy-is leaving it to seek ott
nrn ,oY. fields of labor. The influence whi
lead these best of the farmers sens
lent other occupations is not so much the
the sire to make more money, or to find
5 in less laborious occupation, as it is the
the sire to lead a more satisfactory life
can can life where that part of us that has been
atri- veloped by the better education a