Vermont Dairymen's Association. 53 



methods of agriculture that with his practical trainiug and newly 

 acquired knowledge he may help the old farm to keep pace with 

 modern science and skill. Teach him that there is no more 

 dignified, honorable or wholesome _ way of earning a livelihood 

 than by forming a partnership with the forces of Nature. Do 

 not hold up before his young eyes the almighty dollar as a scale 

 by which to measure the length and breadth of success. Impress 

 upon his youthful mind that the results of conscientious thought 

 and toil will daily gain in force and influence while the minted 

 coin diminishes in value by constant circulation. 



Mary shall be given accomplishments. She shall be taught 

 music, painting, art needle work in order to make her so at- 

 tractive that she may marry well. What is the meaning of marry- 

 ing well ? Is it to give our daughter to the dissipated son of some 

 rich man who is eagerly waiting for his father's death that he may 

 spend in riotous living, the money accumulated in a lifetime of 

 labor ; that by neglect and indifference he may break her heart and 

 ruin her life? Is it for this that we toil and save and scheme? 

 Oh, let us who have the advantage of farm life, living so close 

 to Nature that we may feel the great Creator's presence in every 

 bush and shrub, — let us raise our ideals for while we may safely 

 send our little ones away to acquire the book knowledge, let us 

 form their characters, their aims and ambitions right in the home 

 circle. 



THi; DIGNITY 01? IvABOR. 



Let us teach our children by both precept and example the 

 true dignity of labor. Let us teach them that no honest work is 

 degrading, that the only disgrace is the manner in which it is 

 performed. Let us teach them to love and revere the farm and 

 farm life, that their hearts should ever be filled with gratitude to 

 God that He has given them broad acres rather than a tiny patch 

 of ground ; that He has entrusted His lowly creatures to their 

 care and that they may with earnest solicitude study so well the 

 requirements of this great trust that they need fear no account- 



ing- 



A WRONG STANDARD SET UP. 



Either by design or unconsciously, we have held up a wrong 

 standard for our loved ones to follow. We have taught them 

 to regard money and position above character and worth. We 

 weak, foolish and ambitious mothers in our desire to uplift our 

 daughters in the esteem of a frivolous society, have stamped upon 

 their childish, impressionable minds the belief that the practical 



