No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 303 



It is because of tbe peculiar regard bestowed upon woman amoiij; 

 the Euglisli spealdng people, tlie estimation in which she is held, 

 the deep respect and almost reverence felt for her, that "home" as 

 we know it, becomes possible: 



"A little lad came in one day, 

 With dirty shoes and tired feet; 

 His playtime had been hard and long, 

 Out in the summers noontide heat. 



" 'I'm glad I'm home,' he cried and hung 

 His torn straw hat up in the hall, 

 While in the corner by the door. 

 He put away his bat and ball. 



" 'I wonder why,' 'twas laughingly said, 

 'This little lad always comes here, 

 When there ara many other homes, 

 As nice as this, and quite as near.' 



"He stood a moment deep in thought, 

 Then with the lovelight in his eye, 

 He pointed where his mother sat. 

 And said, 'she lives here, that is why.' 



"With beaming face the mother heard, 

 Her mother's heart was very glad; 

 A true, sweet answer he had given, 

 That thoughtful, loving little lad. 



! 



"And well I know that hosts of lads. 

 Are just as loving, true, and dear, 

 That they would answer as he did, 

 ' 'Tis home, for mother's living here.' " 



Did it ever occur to you that home is the place for good man- 

 ners? Perhaps I should say that home is the place, above all others, 

 unless good manners are to be carried into every, department of life, 

 as should be the case; and possibly I should substitute ''courtesy" 

 for the term good manners. To me it is far more expressive, and 

 either are more so than politeness which is cold and superficial. 

 Teach the children to be courteous to each other no less than to 

 their elders. This is most easily done by placing before them a 

 good example which is far more effective than precept unless both 

 go hand in hand. For little folks are great imitators. If when 

 mother drops her handkerchief, father picks it up, as he is pretty 

 sure to have done during his courtship days, the children do not 

 fail to make a note of it in their bright minds. 



In the same way, they receive lessons of thoughtfulness, and of 

 courteous and kindly words and actions. They learn that the pro- 

 per thing is to acknowledge all favors in gracious manner, to show 

 appreciation and receive it in the same spirit. Inculcate the spirit 

 of courtesy in your homes. Good manners should not be kept for 

 company use only. Make them part and parcel of everyday life, 

 that even the stranger at our gates may be blessed. To make the 

 evenings at home attractive, let us have some good books to read 

 and take an active part in the children's conversations. Encour- 

 age them to talk over the joys and sorrows of the day. Teach them 

 to look on the bright side and don't let the only jolly evenings of 

 the year be at holiday time. Make home attractive for the boys. 

 Teach them to cultivate a spirit of patriotism and love of country 

 and loyalty to the flag. 



