1882.] THE HOMES OF OUR FARMERS. 241 



sity of restraining the child that is habitually peevish under the 

 slightest provocation. "When he finds that nothing is gained by 

 fretting, but that some loss or deprivation is sure to follow every 

 outburst of petulance, he soon learns the all-important lesson of 

 self-command. 



Our State Reform School sadly illustrates ttie value and need 

 of a social and sunny home. In answer to my inquiry as to the 

 causes of juvenile crime, Dr. Hatch, when Superintendent of that 

 institution, said to me: "Three-quarters of these boys are orphans, 

 and of the remainder, the majority are children of parents 

 who have either separated, or who live unhappily together''; that 

 is, these boys had been trained for crime, mostly in the street 

 school. The endearments of a happy home they had never 

 known. The house where they only ate and slept had been 

 the scene of strife and contention, which repelled its inmates. 

 Who can tell the wearing and wasting of hope and heart and 

 health on the part of children, especially of intemperate 'parents 

 by their spleen and passion which often lacerate like the tearing 

 of flesh from the bones, or else sear and harden against all good 

 influences. From such homes it is not strange that after the even- 

 ing meal, so many boys habitually hasten to some shop, saloon, or 

 bar room where they throng together, leading an exposed and 

 gregarious life. 



The farmer's home should he tasteful and attractive. 



My interest in the work of Rural Improvement centers in the 

 improvement of the homes and home life of our people. But 

 much as has been done in this direction, there still remain too many 

 homes and grounds desolate, neglected, and repulsive, where taste 

 and trees, shrubbery, hedges or creeping vines, with a lawn, would 

 make "the wilderness blossom as the rose." Unquestionably neg- 

 lect and slatternliness in and around the house repel from their 

 rural homes many youth who might otherwise be bound in 

 strongest ties to the fireside. Our farmers and mechanics and 

 their thoughtful and thrifty wives ai'e beginning to realize how 

 easily and economically, often without any outlay of money, they 

 can surround their homes with flowers, the Virginia creeper, 

 grape vines, or trees, and thus increase the beauty, the attractions, 

 and market value of the homestead. These embellishments of the 

 home and grounds help to cultivate domestic sentiments. 



Without a Rural Improvement Association our best towns fall 

 far short of what they might be and ought to be. Too often,. 

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