428 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



This boy is also subject to cold, heat, neglect and abuse. When 

 through ignorance or some unknown cause he suffers from ill-treat- 

 ment, or lack of appreciation, he knows that he has plenty of com- 

 pany. He can work the eight hour system — eight in the forenoon, 

 eight in the afternoon, and if not weary by this time, may chop wood 

 for breakfast. This of course is only applicable to a few favored 

 localities. And when tired nature's sweet restorer, blessed sleep, 

 "covers him all over — thought and all — like a cloak," he forgets the 

 unapi)reciated side of being a farmer's boy. 



But what of his education? Upon one point we certainly can 

 agree; that is, he needs a better education than ever before. The 

 three K's and the little, old, red school house, once the university of 

 the masses, no longer satisfies the demands of the time; no longer pre- 

 pares the farmer to meet his work. Time was when ''no lickin', no 

 larnin," was the watchword. 



^^lth our present knowledge of forestry, the birch and the hickory 

 now accomplishes a better purpose. As we study child-mind and 

 child-nature, considering the effect and influence of environment, the 

 first requirement in teaching a boy the waj' he should go, is to dis- 

 card the finger board, which only points the way, but travel the road 

 yourself. You need not necessarily tell the boy of your deviations; 

 he will acquire such knowledge intuitively. He may even read you 

 like a book, before he has mastered the first reader. 



Seemingly, the child learns more rapid up to nine years of age 

 than in any other period in life. This to the child is the believing 

 period in its life, when it has more faith in its parents and in other 

 people, than in any other part of its career. Take a retrospective 

 view of your own life and question the truth of the statement, if you 

 will. This then being the formative period of life — that most im- 

 pressionable age, when the plastic mind of the child can be so mould- 

 ed and shaped as to effect the destiny of individuals and nations; how 

 truly important is the work of those who live for the children, the 

 possibilities of the future. 



The farmer's boy, in part, receives his education in the home. Too 

 often it educates him away from it. If the farmer continually finds 

 fault with his business, grumbles about this, that and the other, and 

 sometimes all three, wearing an acidulated smile on his face, so long 

 that a barber wouldn't shave him for less than a quarter, how can he 

 expect the boy or girl to become interested in the farm. You can- 

 not build up a business by tearing it down. You cannot dignify a 

 calling by saying mean things about it. You cannot inspire con- 

 fidence without having the inspiration. 



The home should teach respect to parents and old age. Not infre- 

 quently the high chair rules the home, utterly disregarding the feel- 

 ings of the other occupants. Too often the entire care of (he chil- 



