Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-05-07
The Education ofFarmers, Sons.

In reference to the education of
farmers sons it may g observed that
mere work, so long as it is performed
by the muscles and does not engage
the mind, very soon becomes mere
drudgery, and every person having
acy brains will tire of it. The mis-.
take too often made in education of
farmers sons, and which results in
leading them away from the farm
into some other pursuit, is that .heir
muscles receive all the training and
exercise, ana there is no effort made
TO bring into play and employment
the higher faculties. They are taught
to work without being shown the rea-
sons, or made in all cases acquainted
with the near and remote results
made to labor, in short, with no APP.
probation OF those facts and circum-
stances which can alone make labor
pleasant.
If the boys from the earliest periods
when they could comprehend such
things were made acquainted with
soil and crop reactions; the manner
of plant growth and the extent to
rolled by various farm manipula
TONS the comparative value OF feed
ing stufs, and the objects to be
attained by producing this or that or
by their combination; the feeding,
breeding and management of live
stock; aGd the notifications sought
and the possibility of their attainment
through this or that course-in brief,
If the boy growing up on the farm is
made to understand the rationale Of
all farm operations, and to regard and
study the new phases every quest IN
is constantly presenting, instead of
bong made TO feel and think ne is
simply taking the place of the extra
hand" which would otherwise be en-
ployed, there would be fewer
bright boys forsake the farm,
They would soon perceive that the
farm presented a wider field for in
vestgation and injury than can be
! found elsewhere; and the best Will be
content to stay and work it, and only
the dull. jones willing to forsake it for
strange pursuits The problems
presented in farm life are full of in.
terest, and to those who give their
minds to these every Service is pleas
ant and every act OF labor light.
Bat we are afraid the trouble is that
the older heads on the farm do not
always fell an interest in teese things
that many parents stay on the farm
because they happen to have been
placed there and do not know what
else to safely undertake If they
abandon It. It the employment is
irksome to the father the quick obser-
walton Of the boy will perceive it, and
he will likely form the same esti mate
and being under less restraint viii
embrace the first opportunity which
! presents a change FarMers should
not allow such feelings ofindiHerence
to grow upon them They should
endeayor to understand the successive
steps in all the natural developments
taking place under their hands, and
accelerated or retarded by their skill
or the lack Of it.
BY books and newspapers they
should make themselves thoroughly
acquainted and interested in such
things, and by personal inquiry, in
yestgatioa and discussion interest all
with whom they come in contact in
the same matters 1t will not only
make their own labors lighter, and
lend a spring and elasticity to muscles
which would otherwise grow weary,
but 40 boy so fortunate as to- have
been born on a farm and reared under
the inspiration of such a warm appre.
citation OF its beauties and interest will
ever care to forsake it-Breeders
Gazette.