The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-03-20
Farm.

| Farm.
Sometime since | wrote piece
advising boys to stay on the farm
(not because | was any0nc's . boys
nor any authority but because I
thought it subject worthy Of dis
cusslon) but my friend Mr.. Il. II.
Miller, Of Clemson ColleSe, who is
perhaps taking q course in agrlcul-
ture and who was raised on a farm,
was disposed to criticise and call it
"unheedod ADVICE" 1t amused
me very much to read advice. He
seemed to be on both sides Of tho
fence from the way he contradlc-
tod himself, besides if he thought
such advice umhcedcd why does he
oppose it. do enjoy opposition
though and am glad he wiolds his
pen SO magniGcently.
1t is on the farm that wo receive
relief from tho stilling atmosphere
OF the city, the monotony Of subs
divided employment, the anxious
uncertainty of commerce, the vex.
atoms Of ambitions SO Of
ten disappointed, Of solf-lovc SO Of
ten mortified, of fictitious pleasures
and unsubstantial vanities. Health,
the first and best of all blessings
of life, is preserved and fortified
by practice of agriculture. That
state of wcll-boing which We can.
not define but feel; that sclf-sat is
fed disposition which depends,
perhaps, on the perfect equilibrium
and easy movement of vital forces
turns the smallest acts to pleasure
and makes everY oxertlnn Of our
faculties source Of The groatosI
enjoyment; this inestimable stat,
OF our bodily functions is most Wig
orous in tho country, and lost clso
: whcro, it is in this country we OK,
pect tosrecover 1T.
Thomson Seasons said, "Th
sacred plow was employed i,
n amciont tiimos by kings, Statesman
: warriors, men who had held tn
e scales of empire, ruled the storm o
ri war, then disdaining little dolica
-, cies, soizod the plow and greatly in
dependent lircd.
o 1t is dcplorablo to see so man,
young men go to tho largo cities
where they are subject to dillicul
ties and temptations, which too of
ten provo too great for thom tt
overcome.
i Farming, we admit, has It
j draw backs, but what Occupation
y doesn't have? 1t is on tho farm
s that we find the common pcopl
=, with months or years supple
" ahead, no house rent to pay, II,
: wood to buy, 40 town tax to pay
II no fashions to follow, no theatres
c balls and shows to attend.
Boys may become discouraged a
any occupation if 1T is not proper
q " managed, therefore tokccp boy!
at home on the farm, you mus
= make three attcmpts-to abato tn,
II task work of farming, to rails,
maximum crops and profits and tc
surround your work with exhilora,
4 tons of intellectual progress. Yor
must elevate the whole spirit O.
t your vocation for your works sake
! 80 that no other can outstrip it in
adornment and strength. We have
long observed, with unfoignod re-.
> gret the growing tendency of youna
men and lads, yet early in their
teens, to abandon the healthful and
ennobling cares of tho farm for the
dangerous and exciting viclssitudet
Of city life and trade.
i Delightful firesides and friendly
circles in the quiet rural districts
are every day sacrificed to this Ia.
mentable mania Of the times
Young men favored with every
comfort of life and not overworked
fancy that they can make more
money in large cities than by drlv.
ing the stubborn mule and with.
out, perhaps any consideration,
their hands are withdrawn from
implements Of agriculture and to
office or shop work of cities, WHICH