FAEMERS' INSTITUTES. 79 



it. Wealth is not essential to a proper a'ld oi'derly arrangement of the honse- 

 hold. 



'• Though j'ou may not change the cottage for a mansion tall and grand, 

 Nor exchange the litte grass plat for a boundless stretch of land, 

 You may strive to make home liappy with tlie wealth at your command."' 



I believe it is too often the case that the boy is required to act in the capac- 

 ity of hired man, Avith this difference: the boy receives no wages. Let the 

 boy be made to know and feel his interest in the home, and management of 

 things generally, to such an extent that he finds it almost impossible to leave 

 father alone, because so much is depending upon "father's right-hand" man. 

 Instill into his mind that feeling, and he leaves the old homestead at last, not 

 like the boy who " buys his time," but with genuine feelings of regret. Among 

 the important things to observe in the early training of tlie boy on the farm, are 

 the little responsibilities which he cheerfully assumes ; and when they necessarily 

 become weightier, he finds himself equal to the task of bearing them. Take 

 his opinion on many subjects; act upon it sometimes, no matter how simple, 

 if for no other purpose than to show him that it was erroneous; kindly point 

 out his errors by reason and actual test, and he learns to honor your judgment, 

 and at the same time receives credit for his own ; he works with you instead of 

 for you ; and acts promptly at your request, rather than obeys your orders. 



The boy is oftentimes permitted, even instructed, to call certain things his 

 own. For example, a fine colt "belongs to the boy." He watches it, cares 

 for it, dreams of it, firmly believing himself the sole owner. He realizes a sud- 

 den break in the title, when a fair market price is offered for the animal, and 

 the proceeds go into his father's jjocket. Now this may be all right if prop- 

 erly and fairly managed ; but he should be called upon to relinquish his rights 

 only by a fair understanding and with an honest belief that it is right, and 

 that he in some way receives due recompense. Such a course lays the founda- 

 tion for his fair dealing and honesty of purpose in all business transactions. 



Another common error in the early training of the boy is this : He is allowed 

 to go to town for the sole purpose of holding the horses while father does the 

 business. Not that the boy is really needed to insure safety in business trans- 

 actions, but he needs a practical insight into those common, everyday business 

 matters that he must soon manage alone. Let him help you test the quality 

 of articles winch you purchase; ask his judgment as to the price; give him 

 yours, and before selling the load of wheat explain to him the state of the 

 market, and why you accept the offer. There is no danger in the careful 

 exercise of this freedom with the boy ; you are at once giving and receiving 

 information; you are closing his mind against temptation, by keeping it well 

 supplied with interesting and instructive ideas, and strengthening that social 

 tie that binds him to his home. 



He needs entertainment and recreation, differing somewhat from that which 

 is often given him. The traveling circus and side-shows afford but poor enter- 

 tainment, and an hour or two between chores on the Sabbath is hardly suflH- 

 cient resting spell. 



Why not ])lan for him a short recreation tour? Let him break away from 

 the farm and its surroundings for a brief season. He will return to his work 

 with increased vigor. He needs to know sometiiing of society and of its laws 

 and customs beyond what he may be able to learn in liis own immediate neigh- 

 borhood. 



He must early be made to know that there are two sides to the picture of 



