126 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



ing within tlie capacity of bis farm, and not being subject to disap- 

 pointing failures in scarcely anything, he was, in the majority of 

 cases, enabled to feed his hay, forage and grain to his farm stock 

 at a prolit, and finally turn everything off on golden hoofs. Two 

 examples which we commonly see portrayed in the different phases 

 of farm management and farm life. 



Finally, farmers, upon the standard which measures our aspira- 

 tions in the different branches of farming largely depends our success 

 or failure in the special branches chosen, and to which we must 

 now be fully awake, and upon the standard chosen as a model for 

 our guidance, depends the vSuccess or failure and worldly rating for 

 all men in any occupation in life. Let us then, as a means of in- 

 formation, and making our farm life lighter, our rewards greater, 

 and our lives brighter, take advantage of every opportunity that 

 presents itself to raise the standard of our ideas, as to our homes, 

 our farms, our conveniences and privileges, the quality of our se- 

 lections and products, and through the influence of standard books 

 and periodicals, which should adorn our tables, and through social 

 intercourse with one another, as on occasions like the present, cir- 

 culate an exchange of opinions that will tend to lengthen, deepen 

 and broaden everything connected with farm life. Born of those 

 privileges which are said to make it honorable, independent and de- 

 sirable. 



NATUEE STUDY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



By J. H. PKACHY, Bellville, Pa. 



From the remotest rural district, as well as from the crowded 

 city, comes the oft rejjeated call for better educational advantages. 

 That cry has never ceased since the adoption of the free school 

 system. May it be prolonged until every country boy shall have 

 opportunities equal to those of his city cousin. It is a lamentable 

 fact that the country boy labors at a disadvantage. Many excuses 

 are made, but no good reasons are offered for this unwarrantable 

 condition. Not alone is his time in school limited to the minimum, 

 but the course of study leaves untouched, tliat which confronts him 

 in the pursuit of a business — the most important of all the indus- 

 tries known to the category of man's usefulness. If agriculture 



