Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-01-18

Out-of-door occupations Of almost all kinds
have been so finished up, or checked by the
weather, that there ought TO be n good deal of
leisure time on the hands of farmers, builders
and many other active people, for two or
three months TO come. viii you waste it or
use it that is the point. When the preach
err, in his New Years sermon, speaks of dead
time rs something for which there is no res
direction, and lost hours as things that can
never be recovered, the truth was old but its
form of statement was SO new that IL fixed the
attention of his hearers in very sober fash
ion.
We have formerly spoken of this rs the
farmers time to think out his next seasons
operations. TO MiHk at a mark, at the point
of pencil and over note book. There is
too much vague speculation. and pointless
wondering rs to what they had better raise
next year, among farmers. The spring work
that is properly thought out is begun in the
only right way. And this includes, of course
plans as to cropping the different fields; pro-
vision as to seed, fertilizers and labor decis-
ions as to stock, tree-planting, building and
repairs, and everything that must be decided
at some time. farmer who drifts into the
years work with no plan, is no wiser than
general who starts ON a campaign without
plan, or a lawyer who goes into court without
looking over his cases.
There is too much impromptu statesman
ship, touch-and-go legislation, happy-go-lncky
financiering and hap-hazard farming in this
country. A little leisure in which to think is
the most valuable time in the year to n man
who has any equipment for the business and
isn't too lazy to improve it. Thinking is the
hardest work done in the world 1t pays the
best II is the most commonly shirked.
But leisure at this season brings also oppor-
tunties for recreation and enjoyment. II is
the time of all others for Farmers Clubs
not the over-organzed and citifed affairs, but
the neighborhood gatherings for discussions
and comparison of experiences, winding up
with supper and a social good time. From
our knowledge of it, we doubt if farming life
is as sociable and neighborly in its spirit and
expression as il was when the country was
new. and the population scattered. The rest
ing season of out-of-door workers ought to be
made cheerful and happy. The men should
renew the acquaintance of their wives. and
find out something about their children be
sides how much work they can do. If the
purse will warrant it, take trip to the city
and see the sights. If not stir up the social
life of your neighborhood, and don't let it set
tie down into the GOODNESS, quiet and death
like monotony of a frozen pond.
Reading also. furnishes good employment
of leisure time. With two or three good
weekly journals more the better-and
such books as ought to be bought for the wife
and children-the evenings around the center
table may be made delightful and profitable.
Between the grand grabbing for money, the
low ideals of contentlnent, and the periodical
stimulation of anxiety about remote heaven,
not half enough attention is given to the duty
and the privilege of being happy-simply and
innocently happy-here and now. The man
who can turn his activities into usefulness,
and his leisure into happiness, for himself
and Others is philosopher without knowing
it-and may be "A saint also = GoLieR RHt.