Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-08-01
The Farm Home.
HOW 1T MAY BE MADE MORE ATTRACT.
I'VE BY PROPER TRAINING. r

There are many persons living on
farms who do not appreciate their sur
roundings and some are even making
themselves wretched because of such an
intense desire to get away from the
farm. They can see no charm in rural
life and their greatest wish in life is to
get to the city and this, too, in face Of
the fact that there can be no better place
for home than on the farm. l believe
one of the principal causes for this un-
rest and distaste of the farm is in the
lack of proper training in childhood. l
am sure that in a measure the class OF
reading matter introduced into the home
is responsible for many of these fancies
that lead to this discomfort. If story
papers of the dime novel style form the
larger part of ones reading and agri-
cultural papers are ignored as being too
vulgar" and commonplace, what else
can be expected than that the young
people will get the wrong impression OF
farm life? The farmer who neglects to
take a number of agricultural papers is
making q grave mistake. If one has
taste for reading, and every one should
have, there is opportunity on the farm
to crafty this taste if one will but take
advantage of the spare moments as they
occur. But something should be read
that will in some way have a tendency
for the upbuilding of the person who
reads it.
have in mind many farm homes the
surroundings of which are perfectly
charming. There is good living, too, on
the farm. In the summer, such nice,
fresh vegetables and berries, with apples
the year round and meats, home grown
and fattened, of the choicest grown any
where. Indeed the farmer may be sure
of something to eat. Why, when come
in from the field to dinner and see such
a grand meal provided, and nearly all of
it grown right at home on the farm,
feel most thankful because We own a
farm.
1t is nice to take vacation now and
then away from the farm or even an
excursion to see new objects and get
a rest, but it is always good to return to
the farm and take up the duties again.
The quiet of the farm, where one can
read and think, as compared with the
rush, rumble and clatter OF the large
city, is very pleasing; and, If one wishes
for greater seclusion, how charming to
retire to the woods and there listen to
the songs of the birds, OF the chatter OF
the squirrels as they chase each other
from tree to tree. At other times how
pleasant is the companionship of our
domestic animals! When the sheep and
cattle gather around you with an ex-
pectant look, what a degree of pleasure
there is in handing out to them taste
of salt or some apples accompanied with
carrots! They appreciate all this and l
certainly enjoy ministering to their
needs summer or winter. This kind of
care makes them tractable and more
easily handled. 1t pays, too. | do not
like to see animals run away to as far
corner as can be found when you 60 in
to the pasture or yard. l like to have
them come up and be friendly. All
these and many more attractions might
be mentioned as adding to the whole
that goes to make up the blessings OF
the farmers home where independence
reigns to greater extent than else
II. Dow, Corning, n. Y, in
New England Farmer.