The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-10-14

w a. Eltib tAttlit, must bt
controlled by the financial condition
and tastes of the owner of the farm.
Much of the surroundings, however,
We're those in the reach of every man
who has the enterprise and ambition
TO procure them. Shade trees and out
side adornments are within the reach
of every enterprising farmer who cares
TO have his home a credit to himself
and attractive to the members of his
family. The matters of convenience
mentioned are in the reach of every
man worthy to be called farmer.
Farm life is the only one that can
boast of divine origin. Man was COM
manded TO till the soil. and even before
Adam was driven from Eden he was
given control and management over
what the Almighty evidently intended
10 be the ideal of life of the being He
had created. He never commanded a
man to become Il banker, merchant
a lawyer, a speculator or stock
broker. All these are man-made voca-
tons. He did make him a farmer
and if farm life is not so happy and en-
Jpy uplN any lliul t-NlSls, II 10 btNtlusc
of the shortcomings and mistakes of
the farmer himself.
There are few primary principles
in the social life of most so-called
business men," not found, as n rule,
in average farm homes, but which the
farmer would do we'll to adopt. The
business man leaves his business in
hic nfinn fn1o Of htrSfnacS of a
close of the day when he locks its
doors. 1t is rare thing to hear him
discussing his business cares, trials
and perpleXities in his home. He may
mention them sufficiently for those
members of his family to whom he in
trusts his business cares to understand
and be conversant with them. but this
is done briefly. and is not allowed TO
interfere with home life.
Every farmer should adhere strictly
to the rule that business matters and
plans are never to enter the dining
room and only on rare occasions be
allowed place about the fireside in
the family sitting room. Cheerful con-
versation, good humor and even jollity
about the family table have great
deal to do with good digestion, health
and long life. Young men and women
are not likely, in laying out the plans
for future life. to select one that has
proved unpleasant to them and in
which they found few if any elements
OF pleasure and enjoyment. Farm life
becomes repulsiye unless its aSsocia-
tions have been pleasant and attrac-
tive. If in this article I shall have
succeeded in making some practical
suggestions as to how to make it So
its purpose will have been accom-
plished.
On a we'll conducted farm an average
of ten hours per day in active labor
will perform its manual work. Eight
hours of sleep leaves six hours for
mental improvement and reasonable
recreation. The farm programme that
does not admit of this is incomplete
and imperfect. Mental Improvement
is just as important in the life of the
farmer and his family as rain or good
crops. Better the severest drouth ever
experienced than a daily programme
in farm life trat leaves no time or en-
ergy for educational development The
developing farm boy will find place
for entertainment and pleasure. If
these things are not to be found in his
own home, he will go where they are
to be found. If the father does not
furnish the proper kind, the son will
go where those are to be found which
the father would not be likely to ap-
,, prove. In short, IL the father does not
tactfully and intelligently shape the
tastes that will fix the future character
Of the boy, those tastes and habits will
be formed under the influences of
others that are quite likely to be such
as will not give promise of satisfac-
tory or desirable future life. What has
old age in lit to the farmer that con-
tains nothing of hope for the future of
the boys and girls he has brought into
the world? What more desirable than
TO have approaching old age find him
surrounded with sons and daughters
/ with husbands who are well started
In successful farm lives engaged in
his chosen life work, we'll fitted by
education and taste for the business,
the result Of his foresight in shaping
the tastes and habits of his children?
A few dollars spent in croquet sets,
hammocks, games, lawn chairs, etc,
are among the wise investments of
farm home. Three or four of the lead
ing agricultural weeklies should al
ways be found on the family reading
table. One or two of the popular
monthly magazines ought to be in
every family, and the father should be
so far conversant with their character
MS TO be able TO select those that lead
TO higher thought and intelligent ac-
ton; also at least two political news
papers representing the views of op-
posite leading political parties. A
sons respect for his father will be in
creased when he sees he is broad
enough to investigate both sides of
political questions. In short, every
literary attraction found in the village
| home should be found in the farm
home, minus the trashy fiction often
found In village houses. 1t is often
profitable for two or three farmers to
club together, each one taking one or
two first class magazines, and ex-
changing among their families as
seems desirable. In the present era of
cheap literature there is no excuse for
scarcity of reading matter in the farm
home.
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