The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-14


to the voices which God has made for
all outdoors. At any rate, if I were
farmer, I would reckon on the scenery
to some extent, and there are farms IN
Kansas were what we call views ought
to be part of mans daily program
Use Camera.
Second-If were a farmer. would
buy me q. good kodak and take pic
lures of various things on the farm A
good kodak with a developing machine
by means of which the pictures
may be finished without the use Of
dark room, can be bought with all the
material necessary to use for a whole
year for $25. Speaking of scenery again,
there are in the state of Kansas as
many beautiful places as in any other
state of the Union, and on many Of
the farms of Kansas the Individual
hooks and corners that are worth pre-
serving permanently would surprise
those who have never ATTEMPTED to
place these pictures on paper. In addi-
ton to the enjoyment which the TAX
ing OF these views would furnish, there
are nuKnberless opportunities to find
satisfaction in making views of favor
tie animals or of special stock exhibits,
to say nothing of the best exhibit of all,
the members of the farmers family. 1t
does not require any more skill to man
age a kodak successfully than it does
to run a Irvine binder and it is not near
~ SO complicated. The first objection
that arises naturally in the mind Of the
average farmer is the time needed to
cultivate what might be called "a fad"
on the farm. But at this point would
modeStly ask opportunity to express my
views in regard to the object of farm
ing in general think there is such a
thing as making ones self slave in
the passion of work and not allowing
the proper amount of time for necessary
and healthy play. One of the objects of
living is to live, and that is not a full
life which does not provide necessary
alton If I had a farm of a quarter
section, which was paid for and I was
what might be called successful in the
fact that made a little more than my
living expenses, I for one would
not take what little money had made
to buy more land or increase the size of
my farm or add to my stock, but would
take that surplus and put it into the
development of the life of my family
and myself in other ways was in one
of the richest counties in this state a
few weeks ago where was told several
groups of farmers had their farms paid
for and with money in the bank.
Invariably when asked, What do
the farmers do around here when they
make money on the farm?" the answer
was, Buy more land" If were a
more land even If I had money to do
it with, but would buy more leisure or
take more time for other things besides
physical work. And kodak would be
one little item IN the Ike on the farm
which would add to my enjoyment, an
enjoyment which I could share with
other members of the family and my
neighbors. mention the kodak simply
as an illustration of other kinds of rec
reation which the farmer might employ
to interest his life in contrast with the
toll which is the larger part of his en-
ergy. I recall now a farmer in New
York state, a boyhood friend of mine
who lived near my grandfather's farm.
On the death of his father, he came
into possession of good farm of about
200 acres. 1t was well stocked It con-
tanned all necessary variety in the way
of soil, timber and water. Tt was free
from all encumbrance. The young man
started in with the legacy of good
health, a free field and every prospect
of success. The first nve years he made
and instantly put it into more
land, buying an adjoining farm of so
acres. This added to his burden OF re-
sponsIbility and care He seldom took
most no source of recreation outside of
his planning for the care Of the land
and the development of the farm as
whole 1t did not surprise me to re-
eeive news a short time ago of his
death at the early age Of 45, and the
verdict of the community was that
which has been so often made, over |
work and anxiety, the continual strain |
IF toll without relaxing as if life con- |
sisted in getting more and more IN
stead of living within the smaller cir
,le and having reserve forces. think |
4 is fair to say this young man is |
-vne of hundreds and thousands of
farmers all over the world today.
znow there are some in this state as
we'll as other states. It is as Christian
% play as it is to work 1t is not right
% kin ones self by doing either alone
There is a happy combination OF the
.wo which furnishes the proper rule OF
ife.
improvement of Mind.
7 n
llso provide my home with some kln9
# lf-educating process which WoaId
,e working itself out every day Oh tns
ear. An Intelligent and happy family
vas personally acquainted for two
7ears, took the Chautauqua course ana
-raduated with honor. In that partlcu-
ar home where there were three boys
md two girls, there were at least sa1
Iifferent periodicals which had nothing
peciaI to do with farming. Sometimes
t is almost as hard to get farmer 70
axe something besides a daily paper
hurch member to subscribe for mis-
ional-v magazine or a religious paper.
After two years residence in a country
district in Vermont, recaI NlSitinS
yvo papers were taken, a daily or semi
weekly and one farm journal or some
ind. There was no touch with nteIa-
IRE in the broad sense OF the term
here was no contact with the outsloe
world of thought in the matter OF mus
c OF art or science
1yhere are of course plenty of men
wing in this state. both In city ana !
o1Inf,~v who never take but one klno
= DoIi+icaI paper. They never read
tut one side of question. This is
arrowing mental process OF wnlcn
nv intelligent man should Pc ;
shamed. In this day OF cheap pricS1S {
nd srraet variety of publications, haif
dozen or more magazines or periodl,
a is would cost no more than a load
+ hay and would provide an entlrs
amilv with mental recreation ana
tj-,o,,I,,e which is as necessary to life
: the physical and muscular vitality