Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-01-14
The Farmer Boy and What Be
comes of Him.

The following article taken from
the Washington Agriculturalist
con tains o lot of truth and is
worthy we think of production and
reading:
He is factor that has to he
reckoned with. He is by no means
q nonenity, and must not be treat
ed as such. He is very much in
evidence on the farm and oftimes
elsewhere. By birthright he be-
longs to the farm, and by right OF
inheritance or succession the farm
ought some day belong to him.
Whether he does or not will de-
pend upon himself more than upon
luck or chaace or upon any other
person.
There comes time early in the
life OF every boy when he knows a
great deal. He can not learn very
much, for he already knows every
thing worth knowing. About this
time he begins to wonder why faith
or is always scolding him about the
way he does his work and why
mother is everlastingly lecturing
him about his personal habits and
his company. In fact he becomes
to think OF himself as a very abused
person. He reflects upon the
drudgery OF the farm. He envies
the town boy, his good clothes,
soft hands and easy ways, and
comes to the conclusion that he
never was cut out for the farm.
He therefore resolves that as soon
as he is Of age, or, better still for
him, as soon as he can buy his
time, he will quit the farm and
seek his fortune in the city. 1t is
often disastrous enough for the
father, after years Of economy and
discipline on the farm, and after
accommodating modest competence,
to leave the farm, move to town
and take up the role OF the idler,
but for that boy, without the for
tune, without the discipline, and
often unaware OF the many temp
tations and pitfalls in the city,
such a career is extremely hazard
GUS and often disastrously SO.
But that farmers boy is just like
any other real live boy. He has
desires, ambitions and hopes that
must be satisfied. He has industry
push and energy which must have
an outlet. He has genius and in.
ventive powers which must have a
scope. Give the boy chance is as
wholesome advice today as it was
when it was first given. But oil
what does that chance consist and
where is it found? At the presen,
day, when vast fortunes are made
in day and often lost in an hour
the question should confront every
one. Along what lines shall my
efforts be expended and where shall
the field OF my operations be? TIL,
get-rich-quick scheme may be yer,
fascinating, but they are extremel,
deceptive and dangerous. 1t il
therefore wise for the boy to seel
or have sought for him that line 0
business that will be safe.
So farm life may seem irksom'
and plodding to the boy and h
may be enticed to the city to tr,
his fortune, forgetting that in sucl
career he has the sharpest com
petitors who have been long in tn
business. On the farm the onl,
real competition he has is the ex
ample Of the thrifty farmer who i
only an incentive by his successful
methods to help the boy to succeed
But it may not be best for gu
farmer boy to stay on the farm
He may have real talent along 9th
or lines, and il it be bad policy I
spoil good farmer to make a poo
preacher, teacher or business mar
IT certainly is just as bad policy I
spoil good preacher, astisan 0
inventor to make poor farmer
for q boy whose genius is cryin
out for liberty Of action along som
other line will make nothing but
poor farmer.
What then shall be done wit
that boy?
First, try to find out what he ha
real talents for. Then develop
that talent and help him get to til
top. But at any rate give him
liberal education. If he is farm
or it will do him good to go throug
high school and college. just re
Gently someone had published tn
result of an extensive investigation
in which he declares that in al
branches of industry the facts sho,
that college men attain q create
degree of success than those with
out college education. In tn
present day fair knowledge of til
common branches, mathematic
and bookkeeping are almost IN
dispensible to the farmer. The