The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1901-01-24
SOME FAMILY >UGGESrIONS BY
COMMISSIONER o. AGRI-
CULTURE STEVENS.
EFFECT ON AGRICULTURE
Beautffy the Home and Keep the
Young People on the Farm.
stock Raising.

the Union there is a decided check. to
the tremendous growth of the cities at
the expense of the country. While the
cities and towns show healthy in.
crease, there has not been within the
last decade that abnormal growth which
caused alarm to every thoughtful pa
triot. A large, intelligent and prosper
GUS rural population is the strongest
guarantee of our republican institutions.
Successful farmers, who use, all the inn
proved methods and by well directed
efforts show the best side of country
life, are doing much to make bright,
energetic ambitious young men and
women understand that there is open to
them chance for social enjoyment. for
fortune and for fame without fiocking
to the cities, so overcrowded with those
seeking employment, as to preclude the
possibility of remunerative wages OF
course there will always be movements
from the country to the city, but much
has already been done to stop the general
migration from the farms, which at one
time threatened seriously the existence
of rural life in Georgia. Much more
can be done, Next to the love of pa
rents and other members of the home
circle, pretty dwelling with beautiful
surroundings and a fair number of con.
genial neighbors have great power 10
bind the heart to home.
Where the country home is made at
tractive fond memory will linger around
the spot consecrated by the recollection
of childish joys and sorrows, and often
it happens that even the hayward boy
with rowing disposition will, after a
taste Of the world that lured him away
with its enticements, return to the fam
lily hearthstone and settle down to the
task of cultivating his paternal acres
SOME THINGS THAT ADD TO THE ATTRAC-
TIoNs OF A COUNTRY HOME.
Even the farmer of moderate means
can, by the judicious use of paint, APP
piled by his own hands, transform an
unsightly dwelling into a neat cottage,
which the skill of his provident wife
and daughters can tastefully adorn with
creeping vines and blooming flowers.
A flower garden, or grass lawn with
gravel walks, would form beautiful
approach to any dwelling. A few well
chosen pictures should grace the walls
and choice selections from the best au-
thors should lie upon the center table,
and adorn the family library, which,
even though it be small one, will add
to many winter evening a charm that
will not fail to attract the young and
cause them to remain contentedly in
the family circle before the cheerful fire
during the long winter evenings.
WHAT HAS THIS SUBJECT To DO WITH
AGRICULTURE?
But some one may ask: "What has
this subject to do with agriculture"
Much every way. For everything that
tends to make the home attractive helps
to put check on the dissatisfaction
with country life, which has caused
many a restless boy to forsake the farm
and seek for happiness and fortune mid
other scenes.
A fence In thorough repair, bright
with paint, or, where that is not avail
able, with good coat of whitewash, adds
much to the beauty of the vineclad cot
tage with its grassy lawn, bordered by
bright flowers, amid which wind the
well kept walks. Near by the barn,
well stored with the products of his own
field, makes glad the farmers heart and
gives his family the assurance of a suf.
ficiency of wholesome food, and of
surplus with which to purchase articles
of need or luxury. In summer fields of
waving corn, maturing cotton or forage
plants and grasses give to the farm the
appearance Of thrift. Now while win.
ter is upon Us let not the fields lie desc.
late and bare, but make them smile with
growing wheat, oats, rye or barley.
GOOD STOCK WILL IMPART TO THE FARu
AN AIR OF THRIFT.
Select for your cattle the best
breed. Let your mich cows be sleek,
beautiful and well nourished, that they
may yield abundance of rich milk, from
whose cream the thrifty housewife may
make butter that will vie with the
choicest brands Of the market. A well
fed and carefully sheltered COW, guarded
against the frosts of winter, richly re-
pays the care bestowed upon her. The
mild eyed Jersey is the queen for the
dairy, or for family use. There is no
reason why our farmers should not raise
their own beef with surplus to sell to
the butchers Of the nearest town. For
this, as well as for the dairy, the best