The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-04-19


when apparently the natural inclination of man
which is to follow for all time asserts itself when
we see Abel making choice of his life-work in the
keeping OF focks while Cain becomes a tiler of
the soil.
Thus without simplifying further we think it .
will be conceded by all that there is special field
for which each individual is by nature endowed,
and it becomes the part of wisdom for everyone
to recognize this fact very early in life and rein
force that natural inclination with a course of
study and discipline which shall serve to inten- ,
sfy and influence that inclination until it becomes
such ruling passion in his life that he shall be
able to wrest fair degree of success from the
most unpropitious surroundings
There used to be a saying that if boy was not
fit to make anything else of they would make him
farmer and right here possibly lies the solution
of many Of the failures in all branches of life
making a something, or rather undertaking to
make something, out of the boy instead of letting
the boy make out of himself what every incna
ton and desire points he should be.
But because here is farm and there is boy
then, foTsooth he must be farmer; or there is a
business in which the father may have been a
pronounced success and here is boy, then he
must follow in the same groove, though every
instinct of his nature rebels. So the more we con-
| slider this problem the more thoroughly convinced
We are that both he who is the direct subject and
they who are intrusted with a proper degree of
oversight during this momentous crisis should
watch for every indication of fitness asserting
| itself for any avocation, and make it the founda-
ton for the future life.
Not only does this apply to man individually
but as we have already ntimated, touches every
creature and every avenue of life.
| Now to take up the life of the farmer possibly
these things touch him in more points than they
do those in any other branch of life-if he once
gets his eyes open to this truth he will find them
bristng from almost every object around him.
We feel perfectly safe in affirming that with
each individual here the success he has attained,
or the lack off may be traceable, in a great
measure, to this irrevocable law-hs fitness and
consequently his fondness for his work, or the
want oft
AS the years go by it certainly becomes evident
to the most casual observer that we are becoming
more and more OF specialists, and it is put
the inevitable working out of this great law. Men
under the impulse of this inclination, born with
them and over which they in a measure have no
control, devote their lives to one branch of work
until they become shining lights in the same,
although they may each be perfect ignoramus
in every other branch. Now let the farmer follow
the same line and what would be the result, or
rather is, for some are doing so. Given the I'M
mistaka' lie fact that the man is intended to be a
farmer, and though we may be taken to task by
some for the assertion yet we affirm that no one
faces broader field or one that gives wider scope
for the application of this very rule.
In the first place we believe he should decide
what kind of a farmer he is tagged for. Generally
speaking in this section farmer is one who
follows mixed kind of husbandry, consisting
we may say, of cultvating his fields and raising
and keeping as many animals of all kinds and
descriptions as his fancy dictates or his pocket
affords. But right here is the place to pause and
consider Welt the first step, for believe that
what that farmer loves to do, and loves to see
about him, is what he will most likely prove
success in. Thus if a man loves to see fine CATTLE
and every time he is near them feasts his eyes on
them and can move among them so many
pets, he certainly is tagged fora dairy farmer.
On the other hand he who can never look on a
cow without thinking of milking time and indulg-
ing in some animadversions to that effect, and
one whose very presence among his stock inspires
them with fear, is. to say the least, certainly
intended for something, or some place else; and
thus we believe these likes and disikes should
have their due share in determining what branch
of farming the man is to follow, and having once
become thoroughly convinced of his line of
action, let him tie himself to that line, and per-
sistent effort will in the end be rewarded with
success. 1t will thus be seen Immediately the
opening up of the vast field before the farmers
gaze
Every kind of animal on the farm, every species
of fowl about his door, opens up field of obser-
| A.
law. Just for illustration: how often are our eyes
opened to the mistake some farmer has made in
consgning to the slow and heavy work of the
farm noble horse that suggests in its every form
and movement that itS place and work was speed.
ing along the highway, where being perfectly at
home it would have enjoyed its life, instead of
fretting 1t away where man consigned it; or vice
versa we see the other mistake made, a splendid
draught horse urged along the highway as fast as
it is possible for it to Co. to its own and its owners
great discomfort.
But time and space compel me to stop when it
seems as though the threshold has only been
crossed and wide domain is stretching out for
Investigation, and if the field suggested presents
to the view of my hearers measure of the attrac.
ton it has to the writer while penning these
lines the time which you have patiently given
me will not have been altogether misspent.
Much favorable comment was
given the essay. 1t was the opin-
ion that this is the age of the spec
ialist, but that it was essential to
broaden the youths mind by "a good
general education and allow them
to develop their special taste and
inclination for one particular line
of work gradually, and not to the
exclusion of all other interests at
the start, as first impressions might
prove erroneous.
The following committee of in
spection was appointed: M. C.
Reeder, j. HI. Maxwell and III. II.
Kirk, after which all adjourned to
the dining room where mine host
and wife had prepared delightful
dinner. After giving this feature
the close attention it deserved, a
survey of the premises was taken.
On reassembling. the committee
reported having noted a promising
field Of wheat, half a dozen excep-
tionally fine grade Holstein cows,
two very fine calves, with plenty |
of provender in the barn, and the
general surroundings demo ting