580 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Another reason why boys leave the farm is the lack of social life. 

 Farmers' sons should not be allowed to groAv up mere "clod-hoppers." 

 Some years ago I was told of a Greene county farmer who owned more 

 than one thousand acres of land, but whose great, tall sons could scarcely 

 read and never had been in Jefferson in their lives. They were bright 

 boys, too. and when their father was reasoned with about the matter, he 

 finally concluded to let some of the work go and give the boys a little 

 chance. 



There is not much excitement about farm life we must acknowledge, 

 and it seems to many country boys as if life must be more enjoyable in' 

 town. In fact, it seems to him as if town life would be like one grand 

 continual holiday, for many times his ideas of town life are made up 

 chiefly from impressions gained on Fourth of July, Decoration Day or 

 Saturday afternoon when the streets are full, or a trip to Des Moines at 

 State Fair time. Plenty of life there and so many attractions. He does 

 not realize how cruel that same city can be to a country boy trying to 

 find a footing among the hundreds of others working for their daily 

 bread. 



Some young men think that town homes look nicer, more attractive. 

 Sometimes they do, but why should they come to think of it. Many farm- 

 ers can buy out their city cousins and have plenty left. And if these same 

 farmers would make use of a little time and taste and thought, their 

 homes might be just as attractive as any. 



A boy likes a pleasant home where he can invite his friends to spend 

 the evening in games or conversation. Then would it not be a good way 

 to make him contented during these long winter evenings to furnish 

 him plenty of good papers and books? Some good agricultural papers will 

 give him ideas and pointers that will be of value to him. Then there are 

 so many good books and magazines. 



It is a grand thing for the boys and girls that our schools are paying 

 so much attention to nature study. It will open the eyes of our young 

 folks to see what wonderful things are going on around us every day. 



Even a little knowledge of botany and geology would open the boys' 

 eyes to see many things he did not see before. 



A reading circle such as is maintained in at least one country neigh- 

 borhood in Greene county, would provide some social life and be a help- 

 ful influence for both boys and girls. Some neighborhoods hold suc- 

 cessful farmers' clubs. In some neighborhoods a course of lectures migh. 

 be successfully carried out. All these things will help elevate the tone of 

 the social life. 



Our newly introduced system of rural free delivery is a wonderful 

 help to the farmer, also the good roads which this system demands. 



When the trolly car comes, as it surely will in time, it will bring the 

 farmer in still closer touch with the town. While the horses rest he can 

 speed along to the town to an entertainment or to spend the evening with 

 a neighbor. 



