Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1914-01-08
Editorial PAGE OF THE FREE PRESS
THE FUTURE OF THE FARM BOY.

THE FUTURE OF THE FARM BOY
Much has been said and written the subject Of how T.
keep the boy the farm All work and play all work
and no profits will do The boy must be made to feel b
he getting for his labor He must be made
feel that he has interest Of kind in the profits Of tho
farm He must be supplied with at least moderate amount
the right kind Of reading matter and his hours labor ms
not be too long Discussing this question writer in Farm
Stock and Home has this to say:
You just can't help noticing boys when you visit
farm It's hard tell why, too sometimes They all ooI
alike first until you get close and grip them by the hand and
start in to talk about things with them mean the things
they work WITH think about and which make up their lives
You tell in instant whether not the boy has known
and felt the need OF knowledge about the things has
been doing An earnest active minded boy interested
human SPONGE he absorbs to OVERLOOKING and then takes
and MORE he just can't imbbe enough Of the newly dis
covered wonders to his At this stage the boy going
form ideas that going to have part deciding his future
The greatest factor instrument that have great in
uence at this time is the boys father within whom en-
gagged in the farm work while not at school, He looks him
for Ideas for explanation of perpxng problems for in
strucons to why tasks done So The greatest
world to mind hungry boy is why! Now the father not
well posted does not take the time trouble patiently
explain he does not understand what responsibility rests
him at this time if he wants the be anything but
farmer is the boy going develop healthy growing
for the business of armng The boy is going form opn
ions and ideas that later be for great regret on
the fathers part
The rural school teacher at this time exerts power
full influence the farm boy The old methods ry learn
this sentence I'll thrash you" will longer answer The
farm boy wants lessons from natures he be live
things growing plants facts he wonder about won
dering awakens desire to know That the system
that will help farm boy problem As the boy grows older
he and his father should understand another thoroughly
there should be sympathy sort of partnership that
is too often lacking boy should become hired man
to the father be bossed and told this and that without
any explanation Of why The fact and may well admit
it, fathers often drive the boys from the farm There
no partnership care desire make family business Of
farming.
The craving of knowledge boy as he grows should be
satisfied allow the boy to school, high an
agricultural college and college, Give him good time
or incentive will kill ambition se desire to do better and
drive the boy to where he have diversion which often ends
dsastrousy II the boy after having opportunity to know the
most possible about farming decides with earnest conviction
that he likes another life work best it usually futile at
tempt to change his mind Given the right start and made
the right stock the farm boy will make DOCTORS editors
lawyers business than any other kind History proves
this beyond question and will they make the best farm
the best citizens the best inheritance the land but do
not forget the start and the part the father plays in it.