The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-10-08
How One Boy Was Kept on a Farm.
I. E. W., in Country Gentleman.

We, III Souhtiy NehtlcHudil.
Very often we see in the papers
articles on "How to keep the sons
of farmers on the farm" and many
times they are written by those who
have no sons, and often by those
quite unacquainted with farm re-
quirements. l should like to tell
how n New England boy vas in
duceu to become interested in farm
life that perhaps other farmers may
see possibilities for their sons for
mutual benefit.
In 1874 my boy was given at birth
$40 for his name, which | put at 6
percent interest for him. When he
was eight years old he liked to help
me care for the cattle, and one
black steer calf he had taken quite
a fancy for. AS | at that time was
in need of a few dollars which | in
tended to raise by selling the calf,
and except for that l could Keep it
as well as not, | proposed to him he
buy my calf and one of our neigh
boris that would match it, and so
boris that would match it, and so
have some stock of his own-a prop
osltion quickly accepted, and from
that time with ownership came a
quickened interest in all the work
OF the farm, but particular in COM
fort of the animals in winter and to
increase productiveness of the fields
in summer that he could have suffi-
Gent to feed them as he liked
through the winter.
AS they grew up he broke them to
drive, and from the time they were
four till now they or their represen-
tatives purchased by proceeds of
their sale) have made the major
part of the working team of my
farm, so that what was given him as
a privilege brought profit to myself
as we'll.
AS they became merchantable, they
were his to sell wbel he chose, and
the money obtained his to use-in-
vest again or put in bank as he saw
ft-generally kept invested in cattle
as most profitable. Once or twice ]
have lent him money to buy a par.
tlcularly promising pair before he
thought his others were quite fitted
for the market, and by thus trading
he has acquired the habit of Judging
points in cattle hat some mel
many years his senior would be GLAD
to possess. AS he grew older | tolC
him he might have the last two win.
ters of his minority to himself, if he
would help me summers.
AS Il result, | have had IL goot
team nearly all the time since 81 tx
Sc; it and my other neat stock ha.
cen more carefully tended, and now
his majority he has snug in thu
ank for savings, $500-$3OO from
lis steers and trades, $500 from hi
VIC winters work-not a large sun
urely, but along with it knowledg,
f stock, how to feed and care for i
o have it thrive habits of observa
ion of methods of raising crops t,
est advantage; self-reliancc as to
INES OF changing Selling and buy,
ng) that otherwise might have takel
mt years after his majority to &C
ulre. For, unfortunately, too much
aternalism in private es in %nationa
fairs does not contribute to indie
endence but dependence of the citi
en- to his and the nations loss
'oming years will not bring any
lore thorough enjoyment probabl!
han was often his at the end of Tho
avs work with his first pair, wher
e would say, "Old Mig, you're tired
know; but you must carry me
ONE, and when we get there [ vii,
axe good care of you" Suiting
elton to the word, and mounted OF
lis back, he would ride to the barns