420 State Boakd ok AcracuLTUUE, <fcc. 



of unseasouuble cutting and curing, and the conseqnent 

 decrease of flesli in animals consuming it, and the returns 

 thej yield ; the loss of hay fed where it is trampled upon, 

 and this item alone is enormous ; the loss from insufficient 

 care and shelter of stock and of farming tools and implements ; 

 from insecure fences, from lack of suitable and timely 

 repairs of buildings, from the inferior qnality of the prod- 

 ucts of the farm — the loss from these sources alone must 

 be, in each particular, of great magnitude, and, in the 

 aggregate, almost beyond computation. 



Another mistake is — not making home and farm work 

 more attractive. 



Home should l)e the most pleasant place in all the world 

 — so many ties centre there. Why should it not be attrac- 

 tive, cheerful and happy ? The dwelling and all its sur- 

 roundings should be, as far as possible, neat, tasty and 

 inviting, such as to charm the eye and hold the heart. 

 Good books, papers, pictures and music should be provided 

 — these are indispensable requisites in the education of the 

 mind aiid culture of the affections and taste. 



Suitable implements for farm work should be provided, 

 and suitable hours for farm labor only should l)c required. 

 But how often is the exact opposite of this witnessed among 

 farmers. The dwelling is dilapidated and cheerless, the 

 parents cross and sour-visaged, the dress is untidy, the 

 work severe and exacting — it is hard work early and late. 

 Kind words are seldom heard, and but few attractions 

 bind the heart to the home. Reared in such circum- 

 stances, do you wonder so many acquire a disrelish for the 

 farm ? 



