The Glenwood post., 1912-04-20
KEEPING THE cHm.D1Rn
AT HONE ON 1ffk FARM

tuc StlCusth VA itS 1ol hoA
on the beauty of its public buildings;
but it consists in the number of its cul-
tured citizens, in the men of educa
tion, enlightenment and character; here
are found its true source Of interests,
its chief strength, its power
No one can logically dispute the fact
that character is the real motive power
for good in this world, nor that of far
greater value than gold and silver and
precious stones. Men of industry, In
tegrity, of high principle, Of sterling
worth command respect and confidence
of mankind everywhere. 1t is natural
for such men to be leaders in enter
prise and moulders of public opinion.
1t is an undisputed fact that men of
such noble character have come largely
from the rural districts, or at least
secured their primary training in some
of the occupations that bring humanity
close to nature. No plan for training
children for usefulness has ever been
devised that compares with that plan
which furnishes opportunity in the care
of plants and animals. Every normal
human being is endowed by his Creator
with q love for nature, and especially
the beautiful in nature. One need not
be learned in metaphysics to know that
if this desire is not allowed its natural
freedom and the child is deprived of
the privilege of nature study and IS
pert in doing things and owning and
producing things he will soon grow
rebellious, and whether this rebellion
is expressed in words or in passive In
difference it remains fact that he is
cross grained and sooner or later the
feelings that have burned in his breas,
will be manifested In no uncertain
manner.
Only few days ago father wired
the police officers in one of our towns
in this state to arrest his runaway son
of twelve years of age. l had con
versation with the father while on the
train and from him drew the following
statements as to the real cause OF the
boy running away from home OF
plenty. The boy was great lover OF
animals, especially ponies and from
time to time he had promised the boy
that he should have pony for HIM
self. firing of promises the boy ran
away in the hope of finding place To
work where he might have the care OF
horses and also hoping to be able to
earn enough to become the owner of
pony. The boy in feelings represents
large class of boys and his experience
should cause parents to give the matter
of child training very earnest practical
thought.
For years we have heard the cry
"back to the farm This sentiment
is all right, but better one is "stay
on the farm for sometime after the
boy or girl has left the farm and gone
to the city the influence is so great
that it is next to impossible to get
back to the farm. can ounce OF pre-
Give the children something that they
may call their own-something that
they may own and care for. Nothing
is more desirable on the part of chill
dren than the ownership of some ami
NAL or a garden spot where they may
have their own plants to care for and
dispose of for their individual profit.
There is no part of the nature study
and occupation that is more feasible
than poultry raising by the children.
No occupation and study is more fas-
cinating to the average boy. There is
no line of outdoor work that pays
better for the amount invested. The
necessary expense for the beginner is
small. In fact, the average boy can
make his own coops and fixtures with
little expense outside Of his own labor.
His effort in making these necessary
fixtures is of much value to him in
many ways. This small beginning is
stepping stone to higher thinking and
greater efforts in the same line of char
acter building. 1t leads him to see
that there is dignity in manual labor
and working along the lines of his in
terests he learns to appreciate and en-
joy honest, earnest toll Many a boy
has thus been led to see the book Of
nature in an entirely new and fascin-
ating light. He comes to view nature
as an open book, spreading its leaves
before him and revealing itself as an
exhaustless source of instruction and
delight. On every leaf of the forest,
and every stone of the mountain, in
every shining star he sees written the
wisdom of Him that maketh wise.
If any one doubts any of the state
ments made herein in reference to child