Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-08-09
COUNTRY LIFE.
UNJUST CRITICISMS By BEHIND TINES
WRITER'S.

Notwithstanding the round Of duties
on the farm as the seasons come and 60,
and what may sometimes seem like
"humdrum" work on the farm, vet there
are in reality but few occupations in this
country that have been subject TO greater
changes than farm life. Ii Is true that
many OF these changes have been neces-
ssry to meet the changed conditions by
which the farmer Is surrounded, but the
most OF them have been made by his own
volition and for the purpose Of bettering
his condition; and II the results of these
changes have not at all times met his ex-
pectstious, they have In the main afford
ed him fair measure Of satisfaction and
made him n broader minded and more
progrc ssive man than before.
With the advs ncement In the condi-
tions Of farm life during the past gener-
alton, with the greater general intelli-
gence that prevails among farmers, and
with the better homes, dress, culture and
rein, ment that are prevail. MT among them
In all parts of the country, sm surpris-
ed that writers upon farm life aud farm
topics will to-day draw the same kind Of
APEN PICTURE
or illustration OF farmer as thirty
years ago, aud thereby bring disrepate
and ridicule upon farm life. Ii may be
true that there are farmers who have
made little or no progress for genera
ton, and who are working in old ruts,
but they are exceptions, aud IL IL unjust
TO hold them up 10 the public ss examples
OF farmers of the present time. Instead
OF going 10 the black places" and draw
ing pen pictures or making csricatures
of this class Of farmers, who are rough
in speech and manner, aud untidy in
their personal appearance, Why not go
TO some representative gathering OF
farmers like a country
GRANGE PICNIC
or AZ the meeting Of the state grange. or
At the homes OF the average farmers OF
almost any section OF the country, and
draw truthful pictures Of what are there
seen: From the very nature OF their
business, farmers do not always wear
laundered shirt with collar and cuffs.
When engaged in their farm work they
dress for comfort and convenience. lt
Is not the custom, as Is sometimes stated,
for this class Of farmers 10 appear At the
table with dirty clothes and uncombed
hair, nor is profanity u prevailing vice
Smoug them. IL has been my pleasure
TO have seen thousands OF farm homes In
all parts OF the country aud 10 have
visited many Of them In nearly every
state In the Union, and while in all in
stances they were not ideal homes, yet
in large majority Of them were evil
deuces OF as much wealth, culture aud
refinement as is found In a majority OF
the homes in towns and cities. Among
IHE MANY AGENCIES
that have been used to push forward the
wheels Of progress among farmers, |
know Of none that have been so effective
Ia their work as the grange. IL has led
the farmer into new fields of thought
and action. il has given him broader
mind, and wider experience. IL has given
him courage, confidence, and that de-
gree Of self-esteem that was needed to
make him man among men, and best
of all, IL has brought his family out OF
the semi-isolation Of farm life, and Is
giving them the epjoyments of social life
and their rightful position in society
ALPHA MEssER, Lecturer National
Grange.