The Newtown bee., 1891-11-27
FARMERS, BOYS.

Why do the boys so generally desire
to leave the farms for the village or
city? This question is often asked with
degree of amazement and solicitude,
but does not seem to be answered in a
satisfactory way, for the evil continues
unchecked. 1t is truly great evil that
needs correcting, for many noble young
men are lost, to the great disadvantage
of the nation, in the great whirlpool of
city iniquities. For while, now and
then, one like William K. Dodge may,
by grace and great moral stamina, sur
mount the difficulties of the city life,
hundreds are swept down to dishonored
graves.
Now iC seems to me, and l speak,
somewhat, from experience, having been
farmers boy, that most farmers make
mistake in the management of their
farms and boys. For it must be admit
ted that the farm work with the many
chores, as usually managed, is con-
slant drudgery for the boys, with little
or no direct compensation in hand. Most
farmers seem to think that if they feed,
clothe and send the boys to school three
Or four months in the year, they have
done fairly we'll by them. Then, per-
haps, on Fourth of July, or circus day,
they rather grudgingly dole them out a
shilling or two with a well meant eau
ton not to spend it foolishly, which, to
boy of from II to q with any spirit, is
most notifying. Thus the boys begin
to feel that they work hard, with long
hours and have few opportunities to see
anything new and that they have moth
ing that they can spend without, in a
sense, begging it.
They hear of those who have gone to
the village or city, getting their wages
each week or month and it is their own,
so that, if they want a dime for any
thing, they do not have to beg it. These
do not know the many extra expenses
of city boys and their difficulty to meet
their expenses, etc.
| think that this is very fair sum-
mary, in brief statement, of the condit-
ion in which many farmers boys find
themselves and how they feel about it.
Now, to remedy this in a measure at
least, | would suggest that the farmer
use his head more and so manage work
as not, after doing a full days work, to
have an hour or two of chores to do be-
fore the boys can get rest or recreation.
He should also so manage his work that
it shall not so often seem real drudgery.
In this line, he should subscribe for some
good agricultural or mechanical paper in
the boys name, so that he may learn
to study methods and make experiments.
He should also have handy a variety of
carpenter tools, etc, to develop the gen.
Jus of his boys.
But, especially, should the boys be
made co-partners in the farm, to some
extent. They should be given, occas-
ionally, a young animal to rear and care
for as their own; all the increase as pro-
ceeds from this should be their own. l
think, also, certain field or piece of
ground should be allotted to the boy,
each year, with one day each week for
his own field; thus encouraged and help
ed to take an interest in farming by hav-
ing some of the direct proceeds of his la
Dor. The farmer may think that he can
not afford this, but it will be much bet
ter to afford it than to lose his boy, and,
besides, as the boy has means of his own,
he will help bear some of his own ex-
penses and so be trained much better for
the duties of life. There is, at least,
great need that some change be made so
that the boys may learn to love the farm
and be content to stay on it.-[A j. z.