Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-07-02
THE BOY ON THE FARM.
Editorial and correspondence from the June
mber OF the State Board Bulletin.l

Editorial and correspondence from the June
number Of the State Board Bulletin9
In arranging to treat the subject OF
the boy on the farm, it was not our pur-
pose to make any speciOus plea for the
business, or to in any way try to divert
the attention of the boy from other
means for obtaining livelihood. We
never regret that the boys go where
they can make the most of themselves
or find that work which is the best
adapted TO their peculiar tastes. Much
depends upon a proper start in life, and
no one can ever succeed in any calling
unless it is congenial to him. We know
that in ense work and sacrificing of self,
NAV make for success sometimes for
those who are engaged in work not OF
their own choosing, but it is at great
waste of energy and should not be en-
couraged.
Our purpose is to try and consider the
business of farming in such way that
its advantages, as compared with other
pursuits, may be fully realized, and that
the attention of our brightest young
men may, possibly, be turned toward it
more than it has been in the past.
The producer must always occupy an
important place in the world. The more
we advance in wealth and civilization,
the more necessary will he become. The
tendency of the times appears TO be
towards the massing of the people in
cities. which are constantly growing
larger and extending themselves into the
country. The residents of these cities
must be fed and clothed. Their food
and clothing must come from the SOIL.
They are entirely dependent upon the
producer.
II has been truthfully said that this is
an indus rial age, that great enterprises
are constantly springing up, and calling
into the ranks of those who labor for
them. the best of the talent of our
Young people. These people are work
inc ont the higher destiny of the repub-
lie and helping to make it perpetual,
but they at once cease to become pro-
dneers. They are now dependent upon
others, and must buy OF those VINO Till
the soil. Every young man who leaves
the farm and makes success OF lie
elsewhere, adds relatively two customers
to those who remain. Those who go
from the farm and make a failure,
usnallv are never heard of again. There
can be no gain without labor and no
nrogress without self-sacrifices.
With the advance that has come into
our lives, the business OF farming has
kent full pace. There can be no doubt
but that he who tills field successfully
who grows crops bountiful and iaxu,
RANT, who produces focks and herds Of
beauty, uniformity and great value, who
plans all the details of farm work cor
rectly, and unites with these efforts the
maintenance of the farm home, must
! have higher mental qualities, greater
skill and more training, than he wne
battles with the hardships OF me ~
trade or profession. This fact should oe
more fully appreciated: The fundamsn. y.
more fully understood. Nature studies
l should occupy more of the attention o.
the Young. Our common schools snoeie
begin the work and lay the foundatioi
for that higher training that may oe ma:
in land grant colleges and state universi
ties IL we need legal advice we go u
I him who has had special training aiont
| lines of law. We seek the knowiedg'