Milford chronicle., 1905-03-10
GIVING TIE FARMERS FITS.
IF THE COAT FITs PUT II ON.


CoIiingwood says; Il have heard mer
argue In favor OF "classical education, max
ing this illustration the study OF the classics
sharpens the mind and developes the facul-
ties OF reasoning and study so that when a
boy goes through this study he is a: to apply
himself 10 any he may choose.
When a man sharpens his scythe on a
grindstone he doesn't carry a piece OF the
grindstOne away with him therefore a boy is
not expected to study especial things, but
should sharpen his mind and then so and cut
out his life work
This is a fair statement OF the so called
classical side OF education. The trouble is
that neither Illustration or education lit the
farmers case. When a farmer sharpens his
scythe, he does take piece Of the grindstone
with him. for who could keep on moving
without a whetstone2 The trouble with our
classical friends is that they forget, II they
ever knew, that the farmer has greater need
OF sharp tools than any other worker
They are not unlike the old farmer who put
his Whetstene behind hisear and forgot where
Il was until his wife cut his hair
Farmers, catch your boys and look behind
their ears; land see If their is a whetstone
there which your school taxes paid for Put
on your glasses first. II you would be sure to
make thorough search for the size Of stone
will not match the scythe, unless he buys the
scythe to match his crop.l
"The modern farmer deals with living
things and hence his business is more COM
plicated and less capable OF being conducted
as an exact science, than any other. Unless
he can have a love for the business he cannot
make II pay in any sense and this love must
come through respect
Therefore, the earlier we can start the child
into thinking that the farm is a respectable
and desirable place, the better 1t Is"
Did yOu ever see a blind man who imagined
his eye sight was better than yours heard
farmer talk. and l thought his sight deiec-
tive, by the way the tongue moved:
He had control of a smart indentured color
ed boy, whom he made much Of; and natural
y wish him to be somebody" a credit to
himself and breeding.
s.And" said the kind farmer: 81 want to
put him to a trade as soon as he's old enough
Wasen't he busy oiling the car wheels 1
mentioned Unless the boy showed actual
aversion to ierming think his friend was
mistaken.
Iffarm life was good enough for him, why
not for the boy? ira man can give to the
world an honest, thorough going farmer, he
deserves the swell done" Of the public.
The professions and trades are being crowd
ed with "many men of many minds aud
some of them might have staid with pleasure
and proatJ upon the farm, II justice and
right prevailed.
Why, even your factory boys imagine they
hang upon a higher peg than their cousius
on the farm! The whirs Of machinery, and
rattle of the monthly check, is far more
musical to their ears, than the rustic Ofleaves
in the breeze the song OF the birds among
the trees or even the enlivening tune of the
mosquito and squeal Of the hungry pig.
Poor taste TO be sure and all due to the lack
Of the "whetstone," which In some cases is
too small to carry behind the ear.
In fact, as small as the soul of the farmer
who trys to cheat the ground into giving him
good crops when he will not feed It.
His wife and children into double duty at
half pay his team into full service on half
rations his COW into hlling the milk pail ar
ter wearing her tongue half out on the mess
bucket (Such cows send the milk pail to
the house saying ''there's always room at the
tOp"-Of the milk bucket.)
You would think l might have gotten to
the bottom OF the list Of this little souls do
ings but I haven't for he is a rogue cap-a-
pie.
And after attempting to take from farm,
family and stock more than he gives; he
ships and sells his packages Of produce, while |
the half fed hogs hold mortgages on the bot |
tom or center OF every package.
When the buyer empties out his purchase, /
do you suppose he will imagine he hears that /
shippers soul rattling around In his body ? |
echoing the buyers verdict.-"TOo small itOo
smanp Hark hear the re-echo when the .
farmers gets his "returns"
A full view OF the exact agreement Of pro-
duce, price and soul, would make him feel
rather "small."
Why9 because in all his cheating he has
cheated himself most OF all For he on hit to
have been happy, honest, self respecting
and respected man. "a man among men,"
There is some responsibility back Of him; for
"Education makes the man." Woe, woe to
his educators "A man is but what he know
eth"
UNCLE ROGER.
ITO be continued.
OCEAN VIEW