Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-08-15
HEALTHY INFLUENCE.
PURE BRED STOCK AND THE INTEL
LEcruAL LIFE OF THE FAMILY.

Quite apart from the enhanced mar.
ket value pure bred stock has another
value which is not always estimated al
Its true worth-the value OF It's influ-
ence upon the intellectual life Of the
family. One only needs to 70 into the
family home on the farm where pure
bred cattle, horses, sheep or swine are
reared to be convinced Of the reality
and the benehcepce OF this influence,
said Mrs. Virginia c. Meredith in re-
cent address. II other proof Is needed,
it may be had by comparing or con-
trxsting a home on such farm with
one on the farm devoted to grain farm
ing. In has been said that wheat farm
Ing debauches the mentality OF the
farmer. While this 10 probably too
strong q Characterization, yet IL graph
ically suggests the mental vigor pro-
NOTED BY the life on the stock farm.
There are some phases Of the profess
sion OF fxrming not always well de-
fined In our own thoughts It is well
worth while to consider some OF these
In their relation 10 the intellectual life
Of the farm family. For example, the
circle OF acquaintance and the Associs-
tons which inevitably follow ones
Identification with any particular pure
breed Of live stock win widen the men,
tai horizon; also the range Of read
ing-imperxtive II one would keep
abreast OF the advance being made by
all the pure breedsr-will Itself strength
en- the understanding and broaden the
general intelligence. Then, too, the
study Of natures methods, the mys-
teries of heredity, the lnasence OF en-
viroument, bring one into intimate sym
pathetic touch with the great forces or
laws that wait upon and reward our
intelligence or perchance punish our
Ignorance.
The more than human response 10 af-
fection and absolute trus; which the
horse, aud even the Southdown, will
make 70 the masters care teaches the
highest lesson concerning our obliga-
ton 70 others. And all these Lessons
are so easily, 90 imperceptibly, trans
ferred 70 other planes OF life, where
they influence conduct and destiny.
When one appreciates intelligentiy and
sympafheticsliy the high privilege of
controlling the conditions that create
vegetable and animal life he may get
q glimpse Of that perfect love and per-
feet justice divinity exercises toward
its creatures.
IL intellectual vigor is given an outlet
on the stock farm, equally true 10 II
that intellectual vigor finds q noble
field 10 the farm home. There have
been many deanitions OF the word
'shome,- al showing some phase that
appeals TO the speaker. An inclusive
definition Is something like this: Home
Is place and an opportunity for the
complete development of the physical,
mental and spiritual natures and In
ferentiSlly for the same enjoyment OF
life. The farm home offers peculiar OPP
portunites for the development Of the
physical. This goes without saying. A
happy childhood In the open air Is the
Of the farm child, and the
force Of sunlight, pure air and exercise
are well nigh conclusive In determining
physical completeness. The nearest TO
great forces In vegetable and animal
life, II xt all utilized. must awaken
powers OF observation and strengthen
the judgment by contemplation OF cause
and .ffect--the direct adaptation OF
means TO an end so conelusively taught
by the recurring seasons and the contin-
uous round of animate aud inznimate
life must have incslculsble effect upon
the mentslity.-Aroostook Pioneer.