The Elbert County tribune., 1903-12-03
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controlled by the financial condition
and tastes of the owner OF the farm.
Much OF the surroundings. however.
were 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
10 have his home 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 a 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
TO be the ideal of life of the being He
had created. He never commanded
man to become a banker. n merchant.
a lawyer. n speculator or stock
broker. All these are man-rnade voca-
tions. He did make him a farmer,
| and II farm life is not so happy and en-
| joyable as any that exists, it is because
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 rule,
in average farm homes. but which the
farmer would do well to adopt. The
business man leaves his business in
his office or place of business Mt the
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-
versatlon, good humor and even Jolllty
about the family table have a great
deal to do with good digestion. health
and long life. Young men and women
are not likely. in laying out the plans
proved unpleasant to them and in
which they found few If any elements
of pleasure and enjoyment. Farm life
becomes repulslve unless its associa-
tions have been pleasant and attrac-
tive. II in this article 1 shall have
succeeded in making some practical
suggestions as to how to make 1t so.
its purpose viii have been accom-
plshed.
On well 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 tnat 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, II 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
MS Will not give promise of a satisfac-
tory or desirable future life. What has
old age in 1t 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. well 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 weelSlies 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
as to be able to select those that lead
10 higher thought and intelligent ac-
tion; also at least two political news
papers representing the views of OPP
posite leading political parties.
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