1883.] THE FARMER AND HIS FAMILY. 177 



lyceum or debating society, a grange or farmers' club in some 

 form, and of a semi social character, is always beneficial to young 

 and old. The nearest agricultural society should be heartily sup 

 ported by every farmer, and as much by the owner of one cow 

 or the cultivator of a few acres as by the largest farmer. And 

 not only one, but several members of the farmer's family should 

 contribute to the periodical gatherings and exhibitions, no matter 

 how humbly. Remember the parable of the Talents! 



Beside this increased activity in the affairs of men — which would 

 make our farmers a positiv^e and recognized force in society, busi- 

 ness, and politics, and which they owe to their country as well as 

 to themselves — we place as equally imperative, their duties as 

 fathers of families in rearing men worthy to succeed them. 



New England country homes are generally blessed by goodly 

 numbers, and well it is; for they are the source from which is 

 drawn the supply of fresh blood necessary to the life of all human 

 pursuits. 



Even if it were deemed desirable, it is manifest that all reared 

 upon farms cannot remain engaged in agriculture; there is not 

 room for all. The farms in Connecticut have increased in number 

 during the last ten years from 25,000 to 31,000 — relatively a 

 greater increase than in the population of the State. And it is 

 doubtless true that a further reduction in size and addition to 

 the number of farms, to 40,000 or more, may be advantageously 

 made, providing farm -homes for four families in the next genera- 

 tion where there are now but three. It still remains true that 

 there must be a surplus of farmers' boys. These go everywhere, 

 and the beginning made in body and mind and morals, at the farm- 

 home, is found to be the very best foundation on which to build a 

 successful career in every department of industry. A remarkable 

 example of this was published not long ago by an eminent clergy- 

 man in a New England city. He made up a long list of prominent 

 citizens and successful professional and business men and traced 

 them to the homes of their childhood and found that nearly all 

 began life upon the farm. Then tracing the same number of sons 

 of wealthy and prosperous men in cities and towns, in the same 

 generation, he found that a very small percentage of these ever 

 reached positions of eminence. 



The fathers and mothers who are at the heads of the farm- 

 homes of America must therefore bear in mind that they are lay- 



12 



