The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-10-18
pastimes For Farmers.

And old settler on the prairies in the
course of conversation about the iIfe
farmers then led remarked: They hat
a much more jolly time than farmers do
now. The woods and prairies were full
of game, and we generally went hunt-
inc once week. There were no dams
on the streams, and fish were plenty
during most of the year. Before there
were any moving or reaping machines
we used to change work during the
season of haying and havesting. Ii
settler wished to put up new house
we all turned in and helped him. We
ioined teams when there was piece OF
had shucking-bees. After the floor was
cleared of corn-stalks the young people
had dance. We did not grow old very
fast, so nearly everyone was Young
enough to dance. Tho women in u
neighborhood had a quilting party as
often us once week. While the winter
school was in session there were spell
ling matches, in which nearly all the
people took part. There were no car
riages in the country then. but the peo-
pie rode great deal. Twenty would
pile into farm wagon and drive to the
nearest town. We sang all the way 60
ing and coming. We went nutting and
fishing in the same sort of conveyance.
Riding horseback was very common.
If there were not horses to go round
two would ride on the same animal.
There were no social distinctions. Every
one was social. and all endeavored to
have good time. After the country
became settled up and the people began
to adopt city ways change took place
for the worse as far as having good
time was concerned. Women would
no longer ride to town or meeting on
horseback or in farm wagons. AS the
people could not have the amusements
city people enjoyed. they declined to
have any,"
1t is certain that there lis a great
aversion to farm life on the part of
many people because the country affords
so few means of enjoyment The trouble
appears to be that country people do
not make proper use of the means of
enjoyment ut their command. Operas,
concerts, and theatrical performances
of the style of those produced in cities
are impossible in the country. 1t is
practicable, however, to have them all
on small scale, and they are nearly as
enjoyable. The circus visits the coun-
try as it does the city. By concert of
action it is easy to support good lee
ture course in country places. All the
out-of-door sports can be enjoyed in the
country to greater extent than in the
city. There is no lack of places in
which to play baseball and football.
Every pasture affords a suitable place
for playing croquet and lawn-tennis.
Most city people who have any consider
able time to spend in pleasure fly to the
country to find it. 1t is true that the
change itself is pleasure, but they find
many things to enjoy that the city does,
not afford. Very, few people can afford
the luxury of drive in great city.
1t costs as much to board q horse as to
board man. 1t requires the entire
wages of q mechanic for day to hire a
horse and buggy two hours. Every far
mer keeps horses and nearly every one
has a comfortable vehicle to ride in.
Few sections of the country are far re-
moved from railroads, so that the facili-
ties for riding are excellent. Possibly
farmers and their families deprive them
selves of many pleasures by trying to
adopt the ways of city people. Perhaps
a return to the customs of the early
settlers would be productive of good.
The old sports should be revived or
something better found to take their
place. In some parts of the country
the grange has accomplished great good
by atfording recreation for its members,