The Florida agriculturist., 1907-08-21
The Bow on the Farm.

method by which the boys can be in
duced to remain on the farm is not
yet settled One writer has told Of
his experience, he has followed all
the most approved plans, given the
boys an interest in things, plenty of
the best reading matter, holidays,
good times-and yet they are not
satisfied to remain. There are some
boys born with a nature which is not
adapted to farm life, and it is we'll
that it is so, for new blood is needed
in the cities and in all business enter
prises. Yet it is probably true that
in majority Of cases where boys be-
come. dissatisfied with life on a farm
it is largely the parents fault.
The following, from Wallace's
Farmer, is a valuable contribution to
the literature on this subject:
We are all agreed, at least all farm
ers are, and wise men who are not
farmers, that the farm is the proper
place to raise the boy. There he has
fresh air, fresh milk, plenty of good
food, plenty of room and outdoor ex-
ercise, and best of all, opportunities
to become acquainted with plant and
animal life Hence it is the longing
of almost every man and woman who
has a child to get him as near farm
conditions as possible. This is the
reason why suburban lots and acreage
property is SO much desired by men
in town who are raising families.
The farm is the place for the boy
and girl to be born; but whether they
will continue to enjoy the advantages
of the country depends good deal
on the way the farmer handles the
boy after he becomes old enough to
take some part in the operations Of
the farm.
Every boy on the farm ought to be
taught early habits of industry. That,
in fact, is one of the great advantages
of the farm; that there is something
for the boy, and the girl as we'll,
do by the time they are able to do
anything. But if the farmer insists
on giving the boy the disagreeable
jobs, treating him as drudge, giving
him the worst end of everything, he
need not be surprised if that boy
makes up his mind that he will get
away IL Oil lh0 ldl Ill lllO lllot oh"iiNN
he gets.
When you start that boy to plow-
ing, give him the best plow and the
best team on the place. Teach him
how to hitch up his team, and how
to keep his plow in the proper con-
dition. A balky horse often makes
balky boy. If you are hauling out
manure, don't give him the worst
fork, but the best one. Don't make
him work in the garden, where there
are usually more clods to the rod than
to the acre in the field. Let him do
the easier work in the field, and look
after the garden yourself
Don't give him the meanest COW to
milk; but the best one. Don't tell
him to do things without telling him
how to do them, and why; and if he
can find a better way than yours, let
him try it, Don't give him pig that
you are afraid will die under your
management, and tell him he can have
it if he will raise it, and then sell the
pig and put the money in your pocket.
Don't treat your boy as a drudge,
but as your equal. Remember that he
may nave MIND quite as Drlgnt do
yours, even if it is inexperienced and
unframed as yet. Treat him in such
a way as to develop his mind and in
dividuality freely and to quicken his
aspirations.
When he gets to be eighteen or
twenty it would be we'll for you to
forget that he is boy and your
son. Treat him as a companion,
your equal. Don't talk about my
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