The Southern farm gazette., 1908-07-18

There is constant lament tha, the farm boys
and girls we'll tend TO drift into the town,
where after twenty or thirty years OF hard work
their main regret in many cases IL that they did
not stay In the country. and one OF their main
purposes Is to get back to the farm. Where tho
boys do not go into the town but stay on farms.
sooner later a great number OF them drif; on
to other States and Territories. 10 such an extent
that from these two causes combined the farm
population of all the States in the Mississippi
valley Is constantly decreasing in proportion to
the urban population. In Iowa. shown by
comparing the National Census Of 1900 with tho
State Census of 1905. the total population shows
a slight absolute decrease. the decrease In tho
rural population being greater than tho large In
crease OF the urban town city population.
The Townward Drift Of tho Farm Hoy.
We are often asked how th.a tendency TO drift
10 tho town and TO other States can DO a; icaa,
minimized so iha, this State and tho other States
Of the Mississippi valley shail ahow an increase In
population. We have no pct theory IN offer upon
this point. but think all wili agree that tho
only way this diversion of population 10 tho e.;i"s
and other States can be a;opped In to make farm
life In these States pleasant for tho
boy and more profitable for tho young ~ho
makes farming bis occupation. Evidently II
not be checked altogether until tho promise OF
pleasure and profit In Way bc equal
ixed.
There many boys whom do not blame
for going To tho town. Some os them arc by
natural cndo~mcnts better aved for business or
the professions than for farming. and wo believe
every boy should be encouraged To engage Ia that
business or profession 10 which hia abilities and
tastes and ineiina,ions. guided By Intelligence
seem 10 direct him.
4 Srriou. Mistake Of Parents.
There many boya. however. lest 10 tho
farm who better n;sed for farming than for
any other line OF business. and loai simply be-
cause farmers do no, make farm ltc plcaaan, for
eh. hgx A..xs nr.Aw tt.
seryaiion In that lazy boy In exception The
reason why many of them leave tho farm In be-
cause the fathers and mothers hold up TO them
other nca of business rs moro honorable. more
respectable and easier II makes ua thoroughly
angry 10 hear farmer or hia wife aay TO son or
daughter that they hope he or she viii no; bc
condemned 10 drudge mott aud toll aA tho parents
have. and 10 ~inh for him her some easy.
honorable. respectable life. the Inference being
that farming ig neither desirable. honorable. or
respectable. II IL n great pity that such fathers
and mothers ever went the farm for
can ever succeed in farming uniesa he honora his
profession TO use the language of Scripture un.
less he magnncs his Office.
These people are iaboring under II very great
mistake. Looking nj IL fairly and broadly. farm
lie involves more hardship. toll. no
more wear and tear OF either mind body than
most other lines OF business industry: nor In
there any line Of business more entitled To tho
respect OF aii decent men and women than the
business or profession OF farming
Make Partners Not Babes Of Your Children.
That IL not all. Many farmers who are really
proud OF their profession per.istentiy treat their
sons AZ kids" ordering them about with less
show OF respect than they would tho hired man.
giving them the poorest piow. tho poorest team.
ana the poorest tools on the farm telling them
to do thus and 80 without giving them any reason
Tor IL. and without giving them an opportunity u
use their own brains and figure out why the work