FARMERS^ INSTITUTES. Y03 



good reading. Probably the best way to do this is to have them build 

 up libraries of their own. Begin the work when they are quite young, 

 as soon as they are able to read a book through, as they call it. 



The ownership of a boolv is a great thing to a child, and no child appre- 

 ciates a good book more than the boy and girl upon a farm, especially when 

 the book is purchased with money earned by doing chores, or that 

 obtained from the sale of a pet pig or a pet lamb. If rightly guided 

 reading may become one of their main springs of entertainment on the 

 farm. Many farmers wives are acting upon this plan. I know one whose 

 children are small, but they love to read and have about twenty-five books 

 which they call theirs. The mother guided these children in the selection 

 of books. This woman was educated in the district schools, but left 

 them with a taste fur good literature. When her children were small 

 she completed the four years' Chautauqua course, took the examination 

 of the same and received her diploma. Her library consists of 275 vol- 

 umes and is still growing. 



In closing I Avill quote from one who was familiar with the turmoils 

 of the city as well as the quiet of the country home. 



The late Governor Mount said: "There are many things essential 

 to a useful and successful life. Prominently among these is early train- 

 ing to habits of industry, frugality, economy and temperance. Coupled 

 with these, and of no less importance are environments that develop inde- 

 pendence of thought and action, self-reliance, courage, originality, will 

 power and a strong body. It has been said that the man without self- 

 confidence and an iron will is the plaything of chance, the puppet of his 

 environments, the slave of circumstances. With these he is king, ever 

 master of the situation. The country offers the best opportunities for this 

 needful training. A word to country boys: Don't grow weary with your 

 lot, a change to the gaity of the city will be worse for you. Patient toil 

 is the road to success. Be industrious, be economical, be hopeful, aim 

 high, don't chew or smoke or drink intoxicants. Stand for nobility of 

 character and you will win honor and success. 



"A student of nature working in harmony with the god of nature. 

 The farmer's life is the sweetest, the farthest removed from the turmoils 

 of strife and the nearest to God of any vocation. I rejoice in the antici- 

 pation of the restful quiet of my country home, when I shall be permitted 

 to lay aside public duties, cares and responsibilities, and return to the 

 home which represents long j'ears of toil and hopejul struggle."' 



