The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-05
Winter on the Farm.

While the summer has its many
| beauties and comforts, it also has a
multitude OF cares calling for weari-
some labor week after week, month
| after month from the coming of the
springtime until the harvest is all gar.
nered and the doors are firmly shut TO
shield the precious store from the de-
stroying elements. Summer is the sea-
son of especial care and labor to
the husbaudman, and the winter
should be comparative time of
rest.
The watchful farmer finds bnt little
if any time when his cares are not num-
erous, but he may so completely mas
ter his position as to be enabled to let
the physical nature rest and regain its
wonted vigor. But little more should
require his attention in winter than the
care of the stock this is a pleasant
task, and one that pays well for close
observance, and brings heavy loss if
neglected. This work should be so
systematized that the flock master and
herd keeper finds himself at liberty be.
tween the hours of nine in the morn
ing and four i'll the afternoon, and with
his family or 1T some social gathering
where matters of general interest may
be discussed.
We look upon it as being positive
sin for any man to make a slave of
himself, taxing and wearing out his
strength through avarice, and Grip
piing and stultifying his mental facul.
ties until he hardly represents the
species to which he belongs. There is
no economy, no gain and no comfort
obtained in such life unless it be in
satisfying the cravings of morbid
nature. The man who thinks, is the
man who finds the avenues that lead to
fortune, and finds those most agreeable
to travel. The self-made suggard and
the selt-made slave should almost 90
hand In hand, so far as their moral
worth is concerned, and the latter is no
better than the first, unless something
OF a credit may be drawn from a mis-
taken ambition.
Now, we do not decry labor, for
nothing is more noble, aud our picture
is for the being who closes his ear
against Intelligence, and leaves all the
propensltles OF his nature that makes
man manly undeveloped, causing him
sell TO be serf and blot upon the
world of rational activity.
AS we before hinted, the summer
has such multiplicity of cares and
pressing duties to be performed that
the husbandman finds really but little
time Tor amusement aud thorough cul-
ture, but the winter may, and should
be his season of rest, culture and men
tai enjoyment. A we'll conducted
farmers club opens up a wide field for
vigorous thought, and through the in
terchange of experiences and ideas a
profitable store of useful information
may be gathered in. Good agricul-
tural papers do the same, for in them
is always found some new idea, and
lhelr columns are ever open to the per-
son WHO has an experience to give,
either IN the management of his crops
or stock, or anything pertaining TO the
interests of his fellow farmers. The
social meetings from house to house
the evening games at the fireside with
the children also tend to shake up and
renew the system, to give new life to
the body, aud take the wrinkles out of
the face.
Music, both vocal and instrumental
In the home circle, when the family is
gathered around the lamp, and the
chilling blasts are whistling without.
has an elevating influence that makes
one better satisfied with life and firmer
in purpose. If the parents cannot sing
or play themselves, they should be none
the less anxious to have their children
learn. 1t is false idea that an accom-
plishment in musical arts units per
son tor the more rugged pathways of
life ; music retines and elevates the
same as classical education, and be-
cause city bellies and eqxuisties play the
piano and do but little else-indeed
are hit for little else---is nothing more
against the power, beauty and useful
ness OF music than it is against reading,
because these worthless butterflies spend
half their hours pouring over sensa-
tional novels.
Show us the farmers home where
books, papers and music enliven the
win .er freside, and we will show you
one of the happiest spots on earth
Tribune 6 Farmer.