The farmers' union., 1894-02-15
TEMPTATIONS OF FARM LIFE.
BY EVE X NNEY GnIFF.TH.

There is a wide spread falIacy
amoag the residents of rural districts
that their children are absolutely safe
from the temptations of the drinking
fa'oon, and hence, it is not necessary
to instruct them thoroughly against
the evils OF intemperance.
That Gods beautiful country is not
frequently marred 10y the foul blot of
saloons along its wide smooth roads
and beautiful meadows is cause for
profound thankfulness; nevertheless,
farm life has its temptations which
cannot be ignored.
In the autumn, when the golden and
russell fruit is being garnered into
granaries and cellars, when farm neigh
bors work more or less together gath
cling in groups now here and now
here, there is always the cider-milI
with its deceptive allurcments and
promises OF gain.
The young man Of the family is
sent to the mill with & load of apples
and he meets other young men on the
same errand. They stop for awhile
perhaps to await an opportunity to
unload, perhaps TO gossip over the
crops and new horse that one of them
has purchased. Cider is all about
them in watts, tubs, kegs and barrels
IN all the different stages of fermenta
tior. How easy to take drink every
now and then as they talk.
Now it happens that cider ferments-
at much lower temperature than al
most any other sweet liquid. The
clder-mill is always fairly warm place
and often the liquid can be seen fer
menting in the tub into which the
juice pours from the mill. The tiny
white bubbles which show that alcohol
is forming gather in groups and rows
about the sides Of the tub and can be
seen by any one who pauses to ex-
anime. This same sweet cider, still
with the little bubbles in it, is brought
to the cornfield where the huskers are
busy and often put in the cellar to be
used at any time during tue autumn
work.
Although the percentage of alcohol
is very small in this new cider, vary
ing greatly according to the manner ir
which it is made and the length Of
time it stands, yet there is always :
sufficient quantity to create an appetit.
for itself if it is drunk persistcntly
AS the winter comes on the eide
grows harder, tina: is, more alcohol il
formed in 1t, yet still it is used as
beverage by many families.
The craving for alcoholic stimulant
is thus formed unconsciously, Will,
the boy is still on the farm, to be dc
vcloped later when he comes IN con
tact with stronger drinks or pcrhap.
to be fostcred by home. made clda
and beer until it has mastered him.
Another dangerous temptation i,
farm life is the sheep-shearing. 1t il
then that neighbors and friends ar,
gathering together in one place.
is warm weather, the work is arduous
the workers must have something t.
drink and in too many places beer i
furnished by the farmer whose sheer
are being sheared. Often young mel
who haye never used this beverage
drink it for the first time ut a sheen
shear,ng
ThreshinS days and trips to tn
market, Fourth Of July and the cour
ty fair have also their temptations Il
the farm boy, for whom the "princ
Of temptcrs'' has set as sure a watc
as for any other class of people. +
protect the country home, then, from
this enemy requires as persistent WIG
lance as to protect the city home, an
wives, sisters and mothers need to b
awake to this fact.
What can you do? Why, watch Il,
enemys every move and dispute eac
inch of ground with him. Docs h
them scientific instruction in tn
schools, where they will be taught til
exact cOmnOSitiOn Of cider what cO,