XXli CONTENTS. 



eggs Feeding and rearing the worms Spinning Gathering the cocoons Destroying the chrysalis 

 Egg laying Reeling Food Diseases and enemies The raising of cocoons a profitable and 

 pleasant employment for children or invalids of a family The silk industry may be made profita 

 ble in the United States The principal obstacles. 904 



Fish Culture. 



The importance of fish culture in stocking the lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams of the country with 

 desirable varieties of fish The importance of fish culture to the farmer on his own lands for home 

 use Artificial fish propagation not a new industry Practiced in China and Japan for thousands 

 of years Fish can be raised with much less labor than any of the farm animals or farm products 

 Its culture may extend to almost every variety of fish desirable for food But small capital re 

 quired It may be made profitable Methods of fish culture Desirable varieties for general propa 

 gation Characteristics How to prepare a fish pond, artificial spawning beds, hatching houses, etc. 



917 



Agricultural Uses of Birds. 



The utility of birds as agents in the destruction of noxious insects They are the friends of the farmer 

 The wanton destruction of birds a serious detriment to agriculture Nature, when not interfered 

 with, establishes a wholesome balance She produces no more of one species than may be kept in 

 check by another The ignorant and brutal destruction of birds the chief cause of the insect pest 

 in the country Relative fertility of birds and insects Food of birds Decrease in number of 

 birds Increase of insects Tabular view of food of birds Crows and robins How to protect 

 birds Laws for the protection of birds should not only be enacted in every State in the Union, 

 but RIGIDLY ENFORCED Bird houses Their construction Birds pleasant companions around the 

 country home Benefits to children from being taught to love and protect the birds. 9^1 



PART VIM A HIGHER STANDARD FOR THE 



FARMER. 



Business Principles. 



Farming should be managed upon systematic business principles Bookkeeping essential Advantage 

 of keeping accounts of receipts and expenditures, etc. An accurate knowledge of the condition of 

 his business only secured by this means Establishes good business habits Tends to prevent losses 

 and incurring debt Books required for keeping accounts Debts and credits Ledger Balancing 

 accounts Inventory Insurance to be recommended Its compensations Life Insurance Fire 

 Insurance Accident Insurance Importance of keeping well insured False economy. 953 



Education. 



Advantages of a good education to the farmer Special knowledge of his business General knowledge 

 The farmer should keep abreast of the times, as well as men of other professions or avocations 

 Means of improvement Books and newspapers Agricultural societies Farmers clubs Public 

 libraries Lyceums Constitution, by-laws, etc., Lectures A knowledge of the courtesies 

 observed in good society Farmers should be interested in all that pertains to public improve 

 ments or the social elevation of the town in which they reside Social life in the country. 956 



Character. 



A man s reputation is not always an index of his true character He may be sometimes misrepresented 

 or misunderstood Overestimate of qualities Lack of appreciation A good reputation ought al 

 ways to be founded upon a good character No one should be indifferent to public opinion Public 

 opinion may differ in different localities Conscience and duty to God, and man a higher standard 

 of guidance than public opinion Methods of securing a good reputation Avoid penuriousuess 

 Extravagance to be avoided Penuriousness is not economy, neither extravagance liberality A 

 truly noble nature will generally be recognized as such by those of a similar character A true 

 Christian principle the only sure guide &quot;Honesty&quot; always &quot; the best policy &quot; Temperance 

 Use of spirituous liquors, except as a medicine, a great evil Injurious results of a moderate use 

 Injurious effects of the use of tobacco Smoking Chewing The difficulty of breaking an estab 

 lished habit. 960 



