Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-03-22
Farm Life..Its Advantages and Com.
forts.

This, then, shall be the song we sing,
q work upon a farm"
Do not wait until your hair is gray,
and then 60 because you are compelled
to go somewhere where a subsistence
may be had which will hold body and
soul together. Begin in the commence
ment, not at the end of life, when
youth, strength and manhood are vast
ed away; then you are no credit to the
profession, although the brotherhood is
so kind that many are admitted at that
late day.
Farm life may be compared to a per-
son dressed IN soher-colored garments,
they may be of the richest and most
substantial material, and worn with ex-
quisite taste, yet a superficial observer
would fail to see any beauty or comeli-
ness about such a dress, while a gay at
tire would wake his admiration, even if
it were Of an undesirable quality and
would not at any time bear examina-
ton. Such is the town life in compar-
ison, the former being the better dress.
One must first become convinced that
such is the case before it will be adopt
cd.
AS in religion, the beauty and utility
of a christian life must first be seen or
felt before it can be embraced.
Are the inducements Of farm or coun-
try life so vague that they can neither
be seen nor felt? Are they a substance
or a shadow? Let us see. In the first
place, all will admit that so long as we
have bodies We must live upon the
earth, consequently must be clothed
and fed, and where are the facilities
better or surer for obtaining pure and
nutritious food than upon the farm, and
with the surplus an exchange a be
made for comfortable clothing. If
sickness or misfortune overtake the
farmer, his farm is a bank which can be
induced to supply his physical wants at
least. Inactivity for a limited time
does not hinder the hay OIL grain grow.
ing or prevent the beef or mutton fat.
tening, whereas in case OF the lawyer
mechanic or tradesman, as soon as he
stops his income ceases.
In regard to the favor the Tax Col.
lector shows him m may call 1t an evil
or a good according to the misanthropi(
or philanthropic view Of the case. He
certainly is not compelled to pay as
much for public conveniences and ben.
efactions as his peer in the adjoining
city. But let ns hope he is liberal
minded enough to donate with free vii
to the extent of his ability. Let US
consider the next advantageous prom
Use is fair for having a durable and com
Portable home through life, and as he is
generally found on the ascending scale
this is also much in his favor, for he
has a solid foundation on which to build
the fear of falling thus being removed
Farm employment is conducive to in.
dustry, industry with frugality leads te
wealth, and wealth ought to be a source
of comfort and good to the possessor
and through him to the world. If il
has not this effect, then it is only a stumb.
ling block wherever it may be found
Experience, too, teaches the farmer no
BILE lessons, bearing wisdom. with its
fruit; wisdom shauld bring contentment
and does not cnntentment bring happi-
ness, the good of life?
There is a quietness about the coun.
try life that brings out the calmest and
best part of our being, while in town
life the friction produced by constant
rubbing against SO many natures emlts
sparks which Oftentimes result in fires
neither pleasing nor profitable, Some
verses taken from Fraser's Magazine
entitled "The Honest Farmer" | would
be glad to copy here. but will only take
the privilege of quoting a few lines:
Happy l count the farmers life,
Its various round of wholesome toll;
Thrice happy, surely! In his breast
Plain wisdom and the trust in God;
His path more straight from east to west
Than politician ever trOd;
His gains no loss to other men;
His stalwart blows inf1ict no wound
What better picture can be drawn of
conscientiousness in any profession!
As the conclusion of inward reasoning
providing | have failed to present it be-
fore others in a convincing form, it
seems strange that some person with
the power of one who said, Young
man, go West" does not now rise and
say to the young men and maidens who
cucumber the villages and cities, go
work upon a farm If it could be said
in thunder-tones, and reyerberRte the
length of time the famous expression
above quoted has, who dare say it would
not accomplish much good. There are
many who have the qualifications neces-
sary for a good farmer, but are blind to
their own interest; in truth, they are
too much attached to the dry-goods
boxes of their native town. | do not
believe in fixing upon a farm any per-
sol who has a special taste or genius
for some other profession; neither any
who are particularly qualified to fill the
many important positions which must
be occupied. AS it takes fall kinds OF
people to make a world so this varied
multitude call for a diversity of EN-,
Cor. Detroit Post and Ir.b-
uNe.
How to Cook Oatmeal.
Condensed from Laws of Life.
Oatmeal is seldom cooked sufficiently.