236 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



strikingly illustrated in the history of the Japanese. Until re- 

 cently chairs were not used in Japan, but the people sat upon their 

 feet placed behind them in a stooping posture, contracting the 

 chest and compressing the vital organs. The Chinese use chairs 

 and sit comparatively erect. Hence, compared with them, though 

 a people kindred in many other respects, the Japanese are short- 

 lived. But, compared with the French and Germans, we, as well 

 as the Japanese, are a race of stoopers. Our youth should learn 

 that they wall live the longer and be the stronger, if they sit erect, 

 walk erect, work with a firm back-bone, and sleep at least straight, 

 keeping the form in the position to favor full and deep brsathing. 

 Then sleep will come the sooner and be the more refreshing. 



The farmer's home should he one of intelligence. To no industrial 

 calling is education more essential than to the farmer. He needs 

 to keep posted as to the improvements in agricultural processes 

 and products, implements and stock. All science bears directly 

 or indirectly on his calling. Hence a first- class agricultural paper 

 is a good investment, and a good weekly paper should keep him 

 familiar with the movements of the day. Farming need not be 

 and should not be a plodding routine life. For his own sake and 

 that of his family, the farmer should not be ignorant of current 

 events at home and abroad. The brain and body should work to- 

 gether for the highest health of each. As a general rule, the dull 

 and stupid die first, while those who exercise most both mind and 

 muscles live the longest. The farmer labors most cheerfully and 

 satisfactorily when his mental horizon is broadened and his eye 

 can look far beyond the sphere of his daily work. 



A farmer's home should be intelligent for the children's sake. 

 His thoughts, sympathies, and efforts should all center in their well- 

 being. No birth-day presents ai^e better for them than choice 

 books. A list of choice books for youth, with their prices, will be 

 furnished free to any teacher or parent in Connecticut, on applica- 

 tion at the office of the State Board of Education, Hartford. A 

 child will read a book with greater interest which he owns himself 

 than one which he borrows. The all-important habit of reading 

 will be still further encouraged if children are supplied with a 

 suitable juvenile Journal like "Harper's Young People," "St. 

 Nicholas," or " Youth's Companion." Children should be trained 

 to read aloud in the family good papers or books This will 

 deepen their interest in what they read, both from the contact of 

 mind with mind and from the questions and discussions sure to 



