The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-09-20
HOW SHALL WE KEEP OUR
BOYS ON THE FARM?


E. S. Morrison before Randolph County
Grange, Missouri, Aug. 10. 1t contains
practical suggestions worthy of considera-
ton: saa8Gl 3vl f5a4s
This subject having been previously
so well treated before this worthy body
one might think it rather stale or uninter,
esting, but no true parent can or should
lose Interest in the welfare OF his own
child and since ones occupation in life
has a tendency to affect his usefulness and
his happiness it is natural for us to feel
rather solicitousi on this subject. Our
question seems to suggest that we would
all have our boys as soon as the wheel OF
time has made its twentylfirst revolution,
and thereby thrust them from out the
family circle, settle down to rural life. But
why should we wish them toisettle down
TO such life of toil--as some would term
it, s'to such low calling when there. ARE
various offices and business positions in
the land to occupy, in which there is less
manual labor required, or at least in which
there is less dirt to contend Withs Why
not choose a position in which they can
wear nice clothing, BACKED boots and
have soft, white handss These advanta-
ges to some people seem to be of very
Weighty importance But are these APP
pearances the only contrasts we can draw?
There are positions whichf men deserv-
edly fill they are compelled to have such
volumes of knowledge that | will admit
is beyond the grasp of the average farm
er. Such men do, and should, wear cloth
ing suitable to their positions. There is
luster about such mems lives that think
some feel that all who wear3soft raiment
share a part of this luster, and feel that all
the well dressed class move i'll sphere
above the farm laborer, because of their
appearance, when their mental powers
may be below a majority of 1farmlaborers
| My position is to encourage ouriiboys
in every conceivable way to incline to
rural pursuits. If in our power make
them intelligent, highminded, good men,
and then if situations of responsibility
| seek them, let them fill them with honor
to themselves and in equal justice to their
fellow man. But why should our first
| efforts be to encourage them to farm life?
! Is it because ''nisery loves company, or
! is it as have heard some say, that we
have always lived on farm, and our boys
| are no better than we. 81 fnai aS5>t"-~.b +
Is it possible that any in this respected
| body could entertain such ungenerous
| sentiments towards those that should be
! as dear to us as our own eXistence! / an
swer no. Z. Then why advise farm life?
| Why do we feel as 1 always do, a sense
! of pleasure, when any one in whom we
! feel special concern, concludes to settle
| down to farm ilifes While we should have
due regard for other occupations, and not
| view all other characters with superstition,
| yet we do feel that the moral atmosphere
of farm life is much purer, and our boys
| are in much less danger of being led into
vicious and evil habits, than where they
unavoidably come in contact with evil
associations. But | will not criticize too
closely, or draw the line of distinction too
| plainly, for man of proper training and
enough moral courage, can be an upright
man anywhere, and if he is not thus in
clined he can be very much degraded
even on farm. But to raise our boys for
farm life, we must begin with the 's'wee
Bit of a boy; and give him his pets and
! his cares and his patches of that which
will add to his pleasure. Most boys learn
to love that which they care for, and that
which adds to their pleasure, and in learn
ing to love farm property and farm pro
uuClS luCIC 1S u ullCydl advantage SdlHCu
! We should make their child-life as
| pleasant. as possible, and often indulge
/ them in their little festivities on birthday
and holiday occasions. Such things re-
quire but little more than good degree
of patience on our part, and the quicker
we learn to exercise. that faculty towards
them, the better; for likely as they grow
older; greater amount will be necessary.
I fro, /,
/ farm life could be pleasant or 'remunera-
tive, without greatideal of physical labor
/ being performed, for think we make a
mock of our profession, if we do not in
| the course ofitime have an abundance Of
the good things to eat, in theway of fruit.
! vegetables, and the various products; OF
the farm, for it is in this we find one great
source of pleasure. Then if we can by
any ingenuity of our;own, learn boys to
work, and learn them to love work we
4 feel on farm is good place for them
but if they really seem constitutionally
tired, boould not advise farm life, for
they certainly would not make it success
One great stmulant to children is for papa
and mamanto say "come." 1t has a charm
about it., when "go" seems arepulsive to
them Something might be effected BY
4 the proper training ofigirls.f Of course
these good husbandmenJ within time want
good 'fwiyes and girls sometimes show a
preference for Lefty life. They seem to
think it would be SO pleasant to live where
they could see buildings and people and
pavements and such things innumerable.
/ On this subject we can advise but little,
/ for there is! an Unborn nature in me to love
I rural ilife.zo What kind of feeling wo-
man has that has once enjoyed the quiet
I obtain life, that wants to leave it and live
IN town, 9lcannot conceive, consequently
cannot speak advisedly from my own ex
4 petience! oWhenI spend even one day
in town, and then return to- my country
home, 1T seems to me to be the dearest
place IN the world. SNot,so much so when
visit my rural friends. Some insist that