The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-03-12

educated ministry. One OF their
number is elected to preach, which
he combines with his farming.
Once a year they have a unique
but withal impressive ceremony in
Commemoration of Christ washing
his disciples feet. This is held
in their plain church. After ap-
propriate exercises the men on one
side Of the house wash each other s
feet, and the women, on their side,
do likewise. They are Godfear-
ing folk, but without pretence-
thrifty and industrious. There
are few better or more progressive
farmers anywhere, and they are
among the most regular and in
terested attendants at the insti-
tutes in their locality. In driving
through the country one will note
the well kept farms and titled
fields, the good, substantial houses
and barns, sometimes sandwiched
in between those that are the re-
verse in every respect. One man
is prosperous, the other complain
ing of adverse conditions; yet the
same sunshine and early and later
rains fall on both-another evil
denCe that surroundings do not
make men prosperous. The right
sort of man always rises superior
and makes his own conditions.
Soon we come to the plain, un-
steepled Dunkard church, but we
knew before that the we'll kept
farms were owned by Dunkards.
am wondering, as I notice a
tendency on their part to adhere
less rigidly to the prescribed dress,
and that the old order changeth"
and the external difference be-
tween them and the worlds peo-
pie" becomes less apparent, wheth-
er this change will affect them
disadyantageously in their farm.
ing. Personally, I think not.
Broadmindedness, when it goes
hand in hand with industry, never
means retrogression.
1t is not often one finds those
who are eminently successful in
two lines at the same time, yet l
believe Miss Anna Brennan, of
Baltimore, has accomplished this,
She is one Of the most successful
teachers in the public schools of
that city, and also has acquired
more than a local reputation as a
successful raiser of chickens. /
heard her ask the question:
(Which do you make the chief
thing, school teaching or poultry
keeping?" She replied. neither.
In the morning I get up at :
O'Clock, prepare my feed for the
day, feed and water the fowls and
clean the house. When it is time
l go to school and put in my best
time. My mother feeds the chick
ems u noon; at night I feed again
and gather the eggs. Saturday
forenoon l have a general clean
ing up. The diversity of work
makes each a help to the other. !"
Was much interested when |
learned that Miss Brennan was
keeping four hundred fowls on a
two-acre city lot in the outskirts
OF Baltimore. | called at her home
and found she had, from a start of
three hens, built up her present
f1ock-beautiful Plymouth Rocks,
some of which had been prize win
ners. They were also good layers.
She had cleared about 81 a hen
from sales of eggs, cockerels and
surplus hens, keeping none above
two years. In seven years she
has introduced only two male
birds from outside. From her best
laying, strongest hens she had
selected vigorous cockerels to
breed from, thus maintaining one
type and superior laying qualities.
The flock certainly showed no
signs of deterioration. Her coops,
or hen houses, are very primitive
affairs, quite largely of her own
building, with a small amount OF
masculine help for the heavier