two others ; and a ladder leading to a rude playhouse 

 constructed between the forks of a branching maple 

 tree. Thereabout were seen also a boy's wagon, two 

 home-made sleds and other materials of this same 

 general class, not to mention a fairly well-kept lawn, 

 where the children could romp. 



Now the cost of all the foregoing materials would 

 be trifling in a money sense and not very expensive 

 in point of preparation and work, while they would 

 pay for themselves a hundred-fold in their results 

 for character-development. If necessary, it could 

 even be shown how just such provision for the play 

 of the boys and girls on the farm will in time add to 

 the actual cash value of the place and to the money- 

 earning power of the boys and girls whose lives are 

 being served. It seems altogether fitting to remind 

 rural parents of their duty in respect to their children 

 even though the mortgage may not yet have been 

 lifted, and even though some of the live stock may 

 have to suffer a little, and some of the farm crops 

 deteriorate slightly. Let there be provided, first of 

 all, some adequate materials for the indulgence of 

 the play instinct of the child. 



2. Work. This term implies a wide meaning, 

 and deserves a lengthy discussion. In a chapter to 

 follow under the title "How Much Work for the 

 Country Boy," we shall give due attention to it. 

 The purpose here is to advise the parent to make 

 a study of the situation and to make provision for the 



