The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-02-19
our Southern Farms....
Written for The Consultation by Peter Stanley.

Eminent writers OF the press have told
the story from time to time; novelists
have drawn the picture in pages of elo-
quent romance; even the artists have at
tempted a vivid description of southern
farm fTe in many different tints and
colors. but the fact still remains that
our southern farms are losing their every
day attractions for our noble boys and
beautiful girls. They cannot see the pic
ture as others see 1t. There is some
thing wrong besides legislation. when
the bright boy OF twenty leaves the pa
rental roof to take chances among the
penny-grabbers of the towns with its
sickening scenes OF sin and many walk
ing miserable evidences of misfortune and
failure.
There Is something wrong besides the
| blushing maid of eighteen, when she ex-
changes her fine old country home, with
its long shady lawns of snarly old oaks.
its orchards Of the most palatable fruits
OF tree and vine. for a close. crowded
cottage on some village street when she
lays aside the old aristocratic family
name and timidly assumes that OF some
fiashy shopsman or clerk.
Yes, IL IS truly evident that some where
or somehow the old southern farm-the
pride of all Dixie-is losing power to keep
within its gates its own sons and daugh-
ters; and why?
We cannot Justly attribute II TO the
cause Of bad legislation, for even with
that a man in Georgia has managed to
make a clear profit OF $1,000 a year for
the past twenty years upon small one
horse farm. This man had no odds over
| thousands Of others, some Of whom,
doubtless, have managed their farms
equally as successful. II not more 50, but
many Of whom have made miserable fail
ures.
We mention the individual case with
the hope OF proving the possibility Of re-
storing sufficient magnitude to our
southern farms that will content tho no
BILE youth of our land with southern
farm life. Clear tho obstacle from the
rfght-of-way of production, and let the
south march onward to prosperity. peace
and cOntentment
First, then, let us keep tho boys aud
girls conteute1. Teach them from early
infancy 10 love tho country home and
its surroundings above all other places. 1t
is possible for the southern farmer Of to-
day 10 do this and very important for
the future welfare of his children and
prosperity OF his country. Then to begin
with, let tho farmer be most earnestly CON
tented and happy himself.
Tax the mind with the fact that exam
pie is the first principle IN thorough teach
ing. Then fit up a home with all the COM
forts and cOnVeniences that the farm can
affOrd-not to go into extravagance-an
with an eye 10 continual Improvement
and addition as the long years roll by.
Do not convey the idea TO your child that
he or she is only n servant and the home
is the masters house; that they can stay
gsf
blood out I'm n continual never changing
work of the farm. but under no cOnsidera-
tion can they have an opportunity of put
ting an original idea into effect or the
athority 90 execute some simple harmless
transaction that possibly would cause
them to feel some degree of Importance
and add 10 their contentment.
Guard against such disagrecable mis-
takes. Govern the household. but do 1t
by thoughtful Judgment kindly admins
tered.
Good literature Is within reach OF the
most oppressed farmer Of the south and
should by all means be found in every
country home. DO not limit your family
TO one or two small country papers. They
Wil bo found Insufficient To satisfy the
/ searching literary mind and It viii begin
to feast on any and e'-arything obtainable
The result viii be that some promising
youths or mild maiden's mind viii DO
poisoned upon the dangerous and degrad-
ing bulk Of literature that is so Thought
/ lessly allowed 10 float through our coun-
try by the wise CD law makers of the
land.
Remember. too. that music hath
charms and many pleasant evenings
have been spent around the parlor or
gan that otherwise would have proven
duh and uncomfortable for the chill
dren.
Then the social gatherings Of the com
muuity are made more pleasant and ben
e1cial by tho help Of musical instru-
ment and few good selections I'm books.
A paltry sum invested in harmless
games both for outdoor and indoor VIII
assist iu accomplishing the great aim i'm
vicw-tcaching Contcutmeut on the farm.
The house demands considerable judE-
meut in construction. for ii can be made
an everlasting influence either for or
against country home contentment.
Don't make out with anything until YOU
get able to build fine one. There is
danger In that you might not get able
until Inconvenience and disgust has
driven your childen into hatred for the
farm.
If scarcity Of means compel YOU 20 build
cheaply have an eve 10 comfort and con-
venience. Give the thing attraction in
design at least. Make it look loudly well
come if ever so humble. Don't be so
selfish and narrow minded as to have only
one dreprace and that IN your own bed
room.
The boys and girls like Il. too. and it
makes them healthy "a well as cOmfOrta-
BILE Don't object TO tho girls having roses
nor tho boys having dogs but impress
them with the idea Of having the pref
test and best. If they want 10 go fish
ing. take a day off and so with them
Make them have a jolly good time. They
will repay you for the loss Of time by
working better If not by appreciation Of
your thoughtfulness in their behalf
one Of the greatest and saddest causes
that has come before me in the study OF
why our southern farms are losing their
attraction for their own sons and daugh-
ters Is developed In the fact that i'm many
cases the mother Of the household has
been too heavily taxed with the respon-
sibillties for her constitution. Her indus
trious qualifications have gone beyond her
physical power IN the eager hope OF ac-
complishing success I'm the begin
ming and consequently her sons
and daughters at the age of eighteen
or twenty years see her a physical wreck,
unable to enjoy the comforts OF her
home. for which she has SO dearly paid.
If the son o. daughter has an inclination
10 begin to build country home this con-
dition of his or her mother brought on
by the burdens OF such a home gives the
4, l. nd a d