Work far Older Boys 181 



do a man's work every day. But such a thing is 

 done in the interest of the work and the profits and 

 not for the sake of the boy. A good way to measure 

 his worth at this age is to see that he does not earn 

 more than half as much as the full-grown man. 

 Give many half-holidays. His interest in fishing, 

 rowing, swimming, and the like, needs much indul- 

 gence. 



Age 13. From this age to 15, watch the boy 

 for the beginning of adolescence and be unusually 

 careful not to over-work him. Most of his bodily 

 strength must go into making new bone and muscle. 

 Frequent intervals of rest and relaxation should 

 be the rule, together with avoidance of too long 

 and too heavy a day's work. Even permit some 

 crops to be lost rather than abuse the boy. 



Age 14-16. This is the time to begin to interest 

 the boy in working to serve his own ends. His 

 social instincts will now appear strong and he will 

 desire many new possessions not hitherto thought of. 

 Therefore, adjust his work to these new interests 

 and lead him to feel as much as possible that he is 

 working for his own advantage. There is still danger 

 of over-work. So see to it that rests and vacations 

 with opportunities for social experience are frequent. 

 It is a matter for parental concern if the farm boy 

 be not able to return to his labors at the beginning 

 of each new day with freshness of spirits and over- 

 flowing energy. 



