The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-06-14
BOYS ON THE FARM.
Are They as Valuable as Colts7
WHAT 10 20 FOR THEM.
ShrOyer in Land and Living.

\ Our farm papers are full to overflow
ing OF helpful hints that tell lis how
to produce immense crops of corn
wheat, potatoes, and fruit. We are
told just how to grow tie best of va
rious crops, and how best to market
them 50 as to obtain the highest finan-
clal success.
We are told how to treat our colts
and calves so as to develop them into
the finest horses and cattle page after
page will tell US how to handle our
milk and cream SO that butter will
reach the state of perfection.
But the children OF the farm do not
seem to be considered at all in the
most OF our farm journals. They are
left out entirely, Or it may be that oc
casionally story is put in some out
of-the-way corner, and they are dis
missed without further consideration.
We believe that through all this
neglect the children of the farm have
done nobly? We are proud to know
that so many have gained great dis
tinction, Yet, after all, have we done
our duty? Is it more important tha :.
every calf should grow into a perfec,
animal than the boys and girls Of the
farm should develop into superb men
and women?
Why DO our boys go from the
farm to the city? Is it not because
they have not been shown in early
life that the farm is better for their
presence? Let every farm journal
have department that shall be spe-
cially edited In the interest of these
most noble productions of our rural
communities.
1t is especially in the interest Of the
farm boy that this article is written.
How many fathers are there who never
stop TO consider that the boys In their
homes are going to be compelled to
battle for supremacy in an era that
will be In advance of the one in which
they are living. Progress has seem
ingly quickened its pace in the last
couple of decades.
And no father can hide from an in
telligent son the fact that the present
ls better than the past, and the prom
ises OF the future are still greater than
what We now ENJOY.
tho boy should walk when he plows
because they did so In their youth
there are men who are so wrapped up
In the accomplishments that they
achieved in their youthful days that
they continually decry any progress
siye idea that presents itself t. the ac-
tiye brains OF their children. There
are others who do not remember that
they ever loved to have holiday To
to hear their story one must believe
tAd1 lucy NO4O pAOAi6iCo VI CiiVts 1AA.O
industry.
Does it ever occur to your mind
that in nine-tenths of all instances a
father or mother during the first ten
years Of the life of their children can
and do Get the limits of the child's
achievements? You either give it a
noble purpose and uplifting desires, or
cast over it the shadow of discourage
ment or stolld Indifference
On, fathers and mothers, this is
great question, before which the quail
ity OF a few potatoes Or few bushels
Of grain dwindIe into irsignifi"arcc
Because you live on the farm is no
reason Why your son should be an ignor-
anus or drudge, and in these days Of
educational progress you cannot expec:
to hide this tact from them any long
er, nor would any one who is worthy
the name of her desire to do SO
There are so many who have left no
record of greatness to the world unless !