The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-04-20
ASSOCIATION OF FARM LIFE.

ASSOCIATION OF FARM LIFE.
A Paper read before the Board of Agri-
culture, ut Stowe, by Miss Vaiia
Hodge OfStOwe.
1t is said that, "for elevating the
mind, making life beautiful and happy,
there is nothing more potent than home
influence, combined with the wealth of
nature, displayed in trees, shrubs, fruit
and llowers.' And who has greater
opportunity for verifying the truth of
these words than the farmer! Though
the lessons learned may tend more di
rectly to stimulate effects for the cult
walton of the mind, than the soil, yet il
the suggestions received are traced to
their result, a more cheerful and intelli-
4, gent cultivation Of both will be secured.
The age is almost if not quite numbered
with the past, in which il was thought
;hAt muscle was all that was necessary
to become a successful farmer. II was
then said if anyone had not brain enough
TO obtain livelihood in any other man
ner, why, send them TO farming-iust
the place for them. 1t was not thought
necessary TO soften the care on sweeten
the toll Of farm life by ray from the
world of thought and action. But that
day is past. The influence ofthc farmer
home is felt throughout our land. The
associations of home are dear to the
minds of all; but associations which
cluster around farm life seem to have
so much broader scope, a glorious halo
rests not only around the old homestead,
brothers, sisters, and especially parents.
but extend to the fields, the flocks and
herds which have learned TO watch for
our coming; the gliding river, the for
ests where we have gathered the first
flowers of spring, the tinted leaves of
autumn; even the brook which PUSHES
through the meadows with its noisy
babbling, claims its share of cherished
associations. These are few of the
many associations which cluster around
farm life, giving it freshness and col
oring from nature which the life of Il
professional man can never know. Yet
our homes in general have too much of
work from sunrise until sunset, and
Often after and too little time for mental
culture and improvement. Should not
the labor of the farm, both without and
within the dwelling be arranged in such
a manner, that suitable hours only will
he required for work, with sufficient
time to devote to the culture and educa-
ton of our minds in whatever manner
our tastes may indicate? Good books,
magazines. flowers, music, pictures, and
whatever tends to the cultivation Of the
mind, affections and tastes are Just as
indispensable associations of the farm
ler's home las ofthe home of the merchant,
lawyer, physician, or any professional
man.
Let las farmers, farmers wives and
daughters, learn TO habitually observe
the inexpressible beautiful objects, infin-
| lite in variety, exchanging in form which
have been created by an omnipotent
power to supply our wants, both of
body and mind, and which seem TO clus-
ter around and inseparably mingle with
the labor of the farm. do not mean
that all is poetry in farm life. | know
there is much work to do, real manu-
al labor, times when we must exert our
selves TO the utmost to accomplish the
work which must necessarily be done.
But will moi even labor be lightened
and frightened if we enter upon il with
a hearty good will, with eyes and ears
ever ready to learn, as we work lessons
from nature5 Whatever affords inno-
cent pleasure to the mind, is valuable
whether il comes through the eye or ear I;
whether in language, music, rock, tree
or flower. Can the farmer go forth to
prepare the ground, SOW the seed, and
watch the slow mysterious growth from
the tiny blade to the full grown ear,
without being pointed to an overruling
Power, and led to higher apprecia-
ton of the value of life and duty in it.
The tiny flower that lifts to him its
roseaie face, whispers of the care of the
Creator, The clouds dropping their
treasures on the parched earth breath,
into his soul the beauty of their mission.
The running brooks are books to him,
He finds sermons in stones and good in every
thing"
: The great Teacher of all mankind
drew from nature, the farmers work
II shop, those powerful illustrations which
5 the eloquence of man can never equal
e He pointed 10 the slender lily of the
4 field, saying, ''Solomon in all his glory
~ was not arrayed like one of these
} And yet they spring from the sol
d around our homes, and are growing IN
d abundance upon the farmers broad acres
> He who knows our wants, both of body
and mind, has clothed the fields in I;
e spontaneous profusion of flowers; and
e why should we not cultivate that which
j. the Giyer of all good has created for the
N qualification of the sensesY We cannot
y plead want of space, as those who live
q In the crowded city or village, for there
10 is many spot about the farmhouse an'
" out-buildings that could easily be trans
y formed into place of luxuriant beauty
=" which the hand of art can never equal
The cultivation of flowers is not child
m ish pursuit, as many persons suppos,
" who are wholly insensible to the bean
ne ties of nature, but ii affords pleasan
in recreation and yields rich harvest o
c. healthful thoughts and pleasurable emo
n. lions, adding yet another golden link t.
he the associations of farm life. Let u
a ever remember our calling is a nobl
I'd one, that no other occupation is so nee
IL essary 10 our race, and may the In
err fluence of our lives hasten the day whe
W farming shall be regarded in Its tru
G, light as one of the noblest callings ma
he can choose; for by the efforts we make
TO W. acquire new inspiration and increas
ed of power And let our efforts and deter
~ limitations not be confined TO the field @
ne agriculture, but embrace intellectual
IS, social and moral culture as well. w
es will aim not only to secure good crops
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