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FARMERS INSTITUTES. 



THE BEST CROP OX THE FARM— BOYS AND GIRLS. 



fi"3f MISS ETHEL CARR, ROME. 



[Read at Tobinsport Farmers' Institute.] 



All other crops on the farm can be and should be made to contribute 

 to the advancement of the boys and girls. In the early days of Pennsyl- 

 vania when the land was yet uncleared and was owned by farmers, in 

 most every farmhouse might be found, somewhere around the old clock. 

 or in some other safe place, an old earthen teapot. This was the family 

 savings bank. All the money that could be spared was placed in this. 

 How happily they sang at their work, and how carefully the housewife 

 beat the fragrant butter and printed her initials on it with greatest care, 

 and how cheerfully the farmers tilled the land in order to have an extra 

 amount to put in the old earthen teapot. 



What good was derived from hoarding this money? This work was 

 all done with a noble end in A'iew. This money was saved for a noV)le 

 purpose. William was taken through college, and all Mary's plenishing 

 when she was married came out of the old tea pot. He must enlarge his 

 farm acre by acre for John. "Harry had a gift of gab;" he must be helped 

 into the law. There was a feeling, almost universal then, that one son 

 should be given to the work of the Lord, so Joe must have his schooling 

 for the ministry. This old teapot held countless comforts denied, countless 

 innocent pleasures given up. Tlie farmer and wife starved their lives to 

 put money in this "old time bank.'' But all work is better which is ac- 

 complished for a noble purpose. The boys and girls were made to realize 

 their importance on the farm. They thought it right they should help 

 Iheir i)aren1s initil they were of age. The farmer's daughter was called 

 accomplished, who could care for the dairy most skillfully, make the best 

 jellies, preserves, etc.. sew the best rag carpets, cook the most delicious 

 food and best manage a home in every way. The son who could be 

 trusted to take his father's place and discharge the duties with honor was 

 called "a rising young man." They realized that great responsiltilities 

 rested upon them. Now, sons and daughters of well-to-do farniei's are 

 traveling abroad, some are leaving the farm seeking a broader life in the 

 distant city as stenographers, salesmen and saleswomen, leaving the best 

 place in all the world, the broadest life, a country home. 



Mothers and fathers are left at home, worrying with ignorant hired 

 help, oftentimes. Where lies the cause of all this? Why are we losing 

 the benefit of this best of all crop on the farm, the boys and girls? Do 

 we realize, as of old, the importance of them? Are they as forcibly re- 

 minded of their importance? 



Since the Civil War there has been an existing aristocracy among the 



