The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-11-12
PRINCETON URsDAY NOV ~ 1891
Deserted Farms.


land. No one word can account
Tor them. Certainly, it is not
strange that a young or middle
aged farmer prefers the agricul-
tural lands Of the West above the
average New England lands.
Then there are farmers with sons
who will stay by him or settle near
him, if he will 60 to a new coun-
try. Others are left alone, and
must sell out. Besides, the West
has been a specializing ground for
the farmer as we'll as for the
"sharks" and the "bloated." AS
long as he could Homestead for
himself, and half a dozen sons and
daughters each could do the like,
he was tempted to sell his old
home for a song.
Another and perhaps one Of the
stronger unsettling influences is
the disposition of the country to
adopt the fashions of the town.
This comes largely from the false
assumption that the jewellers in
town have all that the farmer has
and a great deal more. Many a
boy goes to town, puts all he earns
down his throat and on his back,
and continues to do so through
life. He goes home once in a
while, and note is made of his
broadcloth and his gold watch.
Or the daughter has gone and re-
turns on visit, with snowy
dresses and flashing jewelry. It
is not considered that all they have
is on their backs, that they are iy-
ing and probably always will live
from hand to mouth, making some
sort Of a show and making nothing
else. I'D. It,.
Taking the United States from
the beginning until now, there has
never been an hour when The
brains. Of the country did not equal
the brains of the town, nor mo-
ment when in worth. of character
the country did not equal the town,
nor a second when in assured
homes the country was not i'm
measurably ahead of the town.
The school system places a fair
English education within reach of
every boy and girl in the country,
and with that one need not be
ashamed anywhere. In leisure
hours, the wide world of intelli-
gence is open to them, and there
is probably not farming district
in New England nor in the West
where there are not young men
and young women who have read
i with SO much industry and dis
elimination that they could con-
verse agreeably in the cultured cir
cles Of the metropolis.
1t is easy to fall in with tenden-
cies and drifts, but it is a grave
blunder to underestimate the agri-
cultural industry and the workers
therein; and the saddest regret of
many life is, that glitter was
mistaken for gold.
It is no part Of the writer's pur-
pose to discourage all farming lads
from seeking other employment.
Many Of them and many of their
sisters might do better in the town.
There are no more conspicuous in
stances Of success in business and
in professional life than have been
afforded by farmers sons and
daughters who have gone out into
the world. This article is written
with two principal thoughts: 1.
That there is no occupation more
honorable than farming; 2. That
for a farmers son or daughter to
leave home with no other motive
than that Of ease or show is ex-
tremely foolish. Spectator.
Only $1.5O.
The UNION from now until Jan. LIST,
1898, for only $3.50. This offer is made
solely for the purpose Of increasing our
subscription list, and our terms are
strictly cash in advance. This offer