St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-04-14
FOR the Farm.
ANOTHER WOMAN'S IDEA OF FARM
LIFE.

lCOTTeSDOnQcnCe
Since reading in the CALIFORNIAN
of March "a, "a Woman's Idea OF
It." l have wished my thoughts
could go through my fingers, on
paper, to add another farmer wife s
idea to those so beautifully given.
/ will try and give little Of my life
which has been over fortv-five years
in the farm business, and sixty-hve
years of life on the farm. My term
farmer, and the beauty of our farm
life has been in working together
that is, always knew all about the
business out of doors, as we'll as in
the house, and my husband the same.
Our first farm was only one hun
dred acres; began with small means,
with one small three-foot table and
other things to match. But our rich
neighbOrS came to visit US all the
same, and seemed to enjoy it as well
as though at par with those more
wealty; but we found the respect
came from our living as we could at
ford for new beginners; and if loan
of money was needed to buy yoke
of oxen it has been kindly offered
without the asking. l had many
times got the COWS up and partly
MIXED before my husbands return
from a days work away. Was l
not happy in doing so? Just as
happy as A. T. Stewards wife said
she was when they began life in two
small rooms.
One great pleasure came in lmprov-
ing and identifying our home. My
husband, in building new board
fence, cut off the posts to make it
look even and nice, and | can
remember of his laying stone wall
near the house by moonlight, while l
would join him with my knitting,
while we would plot and plan for the
improvements to come. Was it not
pleasant to hear the passers-by speak
ofthe improvementsi in the place? It'll
not a justi6able pride to have the but
ter praised and in demand as the best?
1t should be the aim of all farmers to
make the best, then comes the i'm
provement. Were we not happy in
making all payments when due, or
often before due? We were aware
of one thing: if we did not always
dress and have things in the latest
style, or where our fathers left off,
we were sure of the respect of the
best class of citizens.
l think the reason why farming is
not popular is, there are so few good |
farmers, and those that beautify |
their homes. 1t can be done at odd |
hours and moments that will not be |
missed from the necessary work of |
the farm. Too many spend time at |
the village, or idling away time
that might be devoted to improve
ments, in trimming up the highways
and hedges, setting trees, keeping
fences in trim, all rubbish properly dis
posed of. Beautifying the house and
making it attractive and pleasant
is easily accomplished by lady of
taste, at little expense; and as pros
peritv smiles upon them they can
add to their more substantial COM
forts, having things convenient and
nice. With lovely children, books,
and music, where can you look
for happier homes than well ordered
farms will give.
Beautiful Vermont Are her hills
and valleys going wild for the want
of enthusiastic young men and maid
ems to cultivate and make beautiful
homes, that the world cannot equal
in changing scenes and sparkling
waters.
Among good farmers, their families
are as we'll educated in music and the
fine arts as any other class of people.
Where so many fail, they do not at
tend to their business to make it
pay. Perseverance and energy are
as necessary in good farming as in
any other business.
A FARMERS WIFE.
Passumpsic, VT, April 6, 1892