Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-07-21
Boys-Their Practical Instruc.
ton.

In looking over a farm there is no
more Interesting portion of it than that
assigned to the boys for a garden; es
pecially is this so if the farmer himself
takes IN interest in his boys, and rea-
Lies the importance of encouraging and
assisting them in their efforts to become
PRACTICAL gardeners.
Farmers too often have so many
chores for their boys to do that they do
not give them half time enough for rec
ration, and therefore no time to plant
q garden of their own. This is all
wrong. The farmers boy should not
be required to work any more hours
nan the mechanics boy; he should have
inc for recreation and for doing some
|brk for himself. There is no better
NAY TO drive a boy from the farm than
10 overwork him; and there is no better
WAY to keep him on the farm than to
manifest an interest in his welfare, give
him time for recreation, and make that
recreation as far as possible elevating
md instructive. The boy who, when
but of school, is required to spend every
hour at work for his father dropping
rorn in u large field, wecdinglong rows
Pf onions, digging potatoes in a field so
large that it seems to have no end, and
luSking corn from a heap that is en-
aged from the field before it is ex-
hausted, has no desire or courageto add
70 his labors by having a garden of his
OWN, or in fact to stay on the farm a
FiAgle moment after he has become his
Pwn master. But a boy who is not re-
Ruired to become one of the farm hands
IS soon as school is out, who works
Pniy as a volunteer, can very readily
Pe.comc interested in a small garden Of
Ps own, and work in it for recreation
md Instruction. have seen boys as
Interested in their gardens as their
a'lers were in their farms, and as
PFoud to show them to visitors. Such
Poys not only learn habits of industry,
Without compulsion, but they also learn
! practice the wants of growing plants,
nj at the same time learn to become
alterested in farm life. A boy will tend
is own garden with altogether different
Eellnggs from those called up by tend
g his fathers garden. Ownership has
wonderful power over the feelings of
oys as well as men.
Inc boy that commences early in life
practice agriculture for himself on a
aa!l scale, becomes interested in OBJ
SUNG the best results with the least
Rpehdlture of money, and not only
Eafns many practical lessons which are
great value in after life, but he be-
p u SO strongly attached to the farm
at ne has no desire to leave it. In fact
10Y who begins to gather up practi-
hnowledge relating to the best meth
~ VI producing farm crops, and con-
u"es 1t up to manhood, learns one of
y most reliable trades that man has
yet followed. Give the boy q few
Ms Of land to cultivate and then en-
, Masse' and if necessary, assist him to
aae II the most productive portion of
,i;afm; in a few years he will begin to
a!lze that farming is an occupation
r n,co requires quite as high intelli-
At W. "a as any other occupation, and also,
y ast me profits of the farm depend in a
r n. measure on the intelligence of the
Der. AS soon as he realizes this, he
uncertain a higher respect for the
No mpauon, and will feel a desire to be-
hs ,' h9t simply a practical farmer, but
s ~ aole to direct the practice with the
1fvst scientific intelligence.
m "e are to keep our boys on the farm
,n 4ust try to make the farm more at
ME- and make them feel more indie
ey c cnu by giving them ownership; if
i o o have a garden and raise small
SELF vegetables. and have the privilege
me do as what they raise, they will be-
y duHoubly interested in farm life. A
boz "' miH that a boy earns by his own
m' will do him more good than a
II lumber that may be given to him,
ow ehlhed by the sweat of his own
luc ne Is able to realize their true
tn m "l,u VIII be very likely to spend
rncd lu Lre Judiciossly than he would if
Is H4ny %another's labor.-MassaGhu-