The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-07-07
ao,Xs ON rHE EARN.
Vital Truths for Fathers who Stand I
Need OF . Good Lecture.

Need OF Good Lecture.
Il is now conceded that farming Ia aS
least as honorable, dignified and en-
nobling as any OF the so-called learned
professions; that 1t requires at the pres
ent day as much talent to conduct a
farm properly rs to occupy acceptably
the bar, laboratory or pulpit; and that
financially 1t averages about as we'll as
any other business, with very largely
preponderating stability, health and
happiness. Nevertheless the cry con-
tinues loud and long that farmers boys
will not stay at home, but seek the
cities. which are more than ever before
Overcrowded. The cause for this sad
fact can usually be found in the farm
er's own household--not In the mother,
for she seldom drives her sons away,
but In her sold hunks" OF husband!
Upon him should rest the odium, and
he should be ashamed to complain Of
what is the legitimate friitage of his
folly or ignorance. A boy becomes dis
gusted with the farm in many ways.
He is always in domand to do the 1,O01
things that nobody else will do. He is
perpetually called upon to wait on
others. 1t is all the time boy do this
and boy do that, in the house and out the
house; and when he notices the compar-
ative easy life of his city cousins, it is
no wonder the determination is then
laid to Withdraw from the farm the mo-
ment he shall be at liberty to do so,
even If he does not abscond before.
Friction in the family is "a prolific ex-
communication of boys. A boy of good
disposition tires of hearing quarreling,
disputing and scolding among the
family, and he is likely to seek new
Lone. A. farmer told his seventeen
year-old son in the spring that If he
would work good that season he should
have a quarter of an acre to plant in
potatoes for his own, TO be sure of u
good crop the boy gave it extra hoeing
moonlight nights, When the potatoes
were sold the father kept the money.
That boy ran away and made a miser-
able wreck of life. Many father
gives the children an animal or some-
thing else, and when sold he has no
thought of turning the price over to
the rightful owner. A bright lad said
sorrowfully: "This colt is mine until
sold, and then father takes the money ;
but it won't be so always" These and
| similar transactions are what drive the
boys away. Boys will continue to
leave until the fathers become
educated as to the proper way to
manage them. Perhaps 100 years
hence it will be as rare to hear of
u boy leaving the farm for Il store
as it is now for merchants son to
leave for the farm. With pleasant sur
roundings and kind treatment boys
have no desire to leave. Mr.. M
had three sons, and he made confidants
and companions of them. He advised
and aided them in their studies; they
read and sang together, and were con-
stant companions in almost all things.
He gave them colts, calves and fowls,
and at times they had new clothing
unexpectedly. At social parties father
and son were often seen arm in arm
chatting ''like two boys" and the
! father actually accompanied one of the
sons at the latters request when he
went to see ''his best girl" A neigh
boris boy had purchased a gun, and
asked one of these why he did not dc
likewise. He replied: "If 1 really
need gun father will supply me with
out asking; he knows best" This was
confidence free and full. Such boys
never desire to leave the farm. Moth
ing is lost by giving to children, TO,
they are always willing to expend il
for their own clothing; besides, it gives
them confidence in themselves an6
teaches them self-reliance and the
art of earning living. All chill
dren, when at proper age, should
have something of their own pos
sessing u money value. The sense
of ownership begets feelings of import
ance and OF independence.-M Y
Tribune.