Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-06-26
HOW KEEP THE B0YS9
GIRLS, ALSO, ARE PRONE TO
LEAVE THE FARM.
A Judicious Study of the Child's
Natural IncIinations May Give the
Parent an Idea of the Right Course
to Pursue.


seek some other occupation, which VIII
prove more remunerative, or which
they expect will be so. We do not
blame them, for ambition is the right
of every one, and the young person
who does not have it can scarcely eN-
pect to be more prosperous, and may
not be boosted into higher place even
by the efforts of others.
1t is possible, however, to so direct
that ambition and encourage 1t as to
confine it TO the farm, Instead OF send
ing it behind the counter, or on an cleo
tric or steam car, or on board steam
ship. We knew that the natural talent
and the inclination OF some boys, ana
girls also. is for mechanical occupa'
ton. They can scarcely be kept from
It, They want to be making some
thing with hammer and nails or needle
and thread all of the time. Others have
other tastes which lead them away
from the farm, and TO force them to
remain there would be almost as bad
as Imprisonment to them.
There are others whose ideas of life
off the farm is largely influenced by
their reading. Certain books may
arouse an idea that they would like to
go in search of adventure among the
Indians or as bandits to hold up rail-
road trains. or as sailors visiting for
eign countries or wrecked and living
as Robinson CruSoe did OIL an uninhab-
tied island. \ few more years and Il
little more experience usually gives dis
cretion enough to show them the folly
of such dreams as these.
But the farmer who desires to keep
some one or more of his children at
home with him. to take up the bust
ness there when he shall give it up,
has no one but himself to blame if he
does not succeed in doing so. Setting
aside those who have Il decided me-
chanical or mercantile turn, and they
are not many when the parent is not Il
born" mechanic or trader, the others
can he made to feel an interest in the
farm work.
There are few boys who do not love
animals, at least such as they can pet,
ana they like them none the less If
| they can see a profit coming directly
to themselves for their care of them.
Most of them also like to see the crops
grow; fruit more often than vegetables,
because they can enjoy the proceeds of
their labor.
If Il boy is given a calf or colt, and
| is allowed to feel that it is his own,
and that it will be so when old enough
to be profitable or useful. and that he
will receive the profits of it, not, as is
too often the case, the boys calf and
the fathers COW when it comes to be
sold, he will care for it well enough
to probably make it the best animal
OF its kind on the place. He may be
made to pay for its feed. and to care
for it himself as he grows older. but
| If it is good one to begin with. he
will find it profit in that. A cosset
lamb or breeding SOW have served
the same purpose.
Even better may be little flock of
poultry, because the care of them may
be taken by either boy or girl. and with
the petting care given by one who
loves them, they are almost sure to
yield a profit. Possibly the Belgian
hare might suit some others rs well
But whatever the stock might he let If
be good of its kind, and pure bred that
the young owner may feel proud of If
ana love 1t, as he could not love n lean
misshapen mongrel that would be the
laughing stock of his companions
There are Others who have been re-
tanned on the farm and made TO lava
1arm life and farm work by n littIo
tract OF ground, on which they could
nave garden, n strawberry bed or a
1rult tree, the products of which vero
their own. They learned to care for
them, and were anxious to learn frou,
the experience of others. They studio1
the details of caring for the crops os
oluer farmers do not often study ond
we nave seen the boys garden and th,
Doy animals good enough TO put ,to
shame the best that the fatler with
greater experience, could produce
10 make this more effectuoI tho
younger student should be nrov,da1
with such books and papers as treot
| upon the care of that to which no No..
nave devoted himself. If he reads y
good agricultural paper every weal, ha
may become interested in some otbor
Drlhch OF agriculture than that no b.
started IN as a beginning. If he doas
iet MIN branch out, but DISCOURAGE thot
nckleness that wants to swan tho cois
LOT sheep, the sheep for hens and tho
mems for rabbits each year, esnac,oIl', lie
II the desire for trading is based on ns
Idea that the new acquisition will a.. a,l
need as much care or labor as tho o+ho'
needed. o'ner
MOI all boys are industrious Or en+o.
prisihg' but many might be made %
IL "heh young they were taupbt tha.
10 WORK to try to improve on eristima
inethods and to economlze were necas
sarS 10 success. To try to drive them
on ". ROAD that they do not like is worse
.nlh useless, but they can often he la1
"iohs peasant paths.-Amerioon C,,,4,