714 BOARD OF AGKICULTDKE. 



I spent twenty-five cents today." "How, John?" "The boys were all 

 so good to me and insisted tbat 1 take diunor with tlieui so I thought it 

 my duty in sociability to pass the cigars around so 1 purchased a 

 quarter's worth of cigars for the boys." "You did just right, John, just 

 right." Some may say "Tied to liis wife's apron strings." It may be so, 

 but possibly, surely he doesn't care to be loose and isn't she, at the same 

 time, hanging lovingly and conhdingly to his coat':' Let them so continue 

 and if they are as honest with the world as they are with themselves 

 they will surely prosper, though it may be slow. 



Last of all and first of all be a woman. lie what God intended, a 

 helpmeet for your husband. Do all you can in sincerity and love to bvlug 

 the home to its ideal place and, after life's joys and cares are over, let it 

 be said of you— "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou hast 

 been faithful over a few things, 1 will make thee ruler over many." 



MAKING THE MOST OF FARM LIFE. 



BY MRS. MARY D. BKOVVN, COVINGTON. 



lAbstract of a paper read before the Fountain County Farmers' Institute.] 



]Nraking the niost of farm life in any sphere siiould not consist in the 

 gaining of ,wealth alone; but that we should lind the fullest, truest, hap- 

 piest living. 



And in the great rush and hurry and struggle of our complex, modern 

 life for wealth and display, i)lace and power, we are blind to the beauti- 

 ful in nature and art. We are lost to the sublime in sentiment and religion. 

 This neglect of the finer graces of the mind and heart is a supreme need of 

 our country life today. 



We need to simplify living, and despite the clamorings of fashion, be 

 brave enough to adopt plain, sultstautial and sensible clothing; and by 

 these means create leisure for reading and self culture, come into closer 

 social contact with those whose lives touch our own, stir up the sweet 

 springs of sympathy and friendship, and draw out what is noblest and 

 best. 



Since a real home is the best thing thai life has to give the greatest 

 thing of our lives should be the making of a home; such a home as we 

 should delight to dv/ell in is far easier of attainment in the country than 

 in the city. We should adorn and beautify this ideal home, and its sur- 

 roundings, and make it attractive for the children. For what is more 

 dreary than a farm home in a bare spot, with no touches of nature, and no 

 evidence of tender care about it? The children in such a home are apt 

 to get out into the world as soon as possil)le. True, they may emeige 

 from such a home, and narrow work bound j'outh into noble manhood and 



