Why the Bov Leaves the Farm. 



By Mrs. C. A. U. McCarthy. 



One of the principal reasons why the boy leaves the farm is 

 because the city wants him. 



It is just such nice, honorable, willing-to-work boys as are raised 

 upon the farm that are needed in the city. 



Of course there are and must be " exceptions to all general 

 rules; ' and among the many boys raised on our numerous 

 farms, there must be some beer drinkers, some cigarette smokers. 



These are not the boy's who are wanted, either in the city or 

 country. 



These are the boys whom we must put up with, because there 

 is no law for getting rid of them. 



We tolerate their company, hoping, almost against hope, that 

 they will do no worse. 



Many people have written upon the hardships of life in the 

 country, especially for the women and boys. These are the 

 writers who have either lived in the country under very unfavor- 

 able circumstances or, perhaps, they have never lived in the coun- 

 try or on a farm. 



The hard work, chores, etc., which have given rise to these 

 outbursts of sympathy are the very things which give our boys 

 on the farm their independence, with regard to thinking for 

 themselves; and their fine athletic proportions and strength; 

 their physical as well as mental power. 



Where is the boy who gets up the cows, night after night, and 

 puts them into their stanchion or stall, who does not soon begin 

 to calculate how to do this work in the easiest and best manner 

 possible? 



Also driving horses before wagons, as veil as carriages, 

 and riding the horses home from pasture or work, is just as im- 

 proving as a lesson from the " riding school." 



Many a voune; lad shows his discretion and judgment in load- 

 ing grain or hay and driving the load down the hills, through 

 gates and bars, landing the load at last in a good position, near the 

 stack or in the barn. 



34-t 



