82 FARM ECHOES. 



gentlemen visited the farm, and among other queries, 

 I was asked how names were obtained for so many ani- 

 mals. The question was answered, and I mentioned sev- 

 eral names thus secured, adding : "There is one name I 

 think exceedingly pretty ; it is that of a friend of the two 



sisters and just referred to. She has never been 



here, nor have I ever seen her, but she certainly has a 



very pretty name, A S ; don't you think so ?" A 



smile on every face led me to suspect that the name was 

 familiar to them, and that there was some pleasant asso- 

 ciation connected with it. I was not a little surprised 

 to find that the young lady in question was one of the 

 party. She expressed a desire to see her namesake, and 

 was much pleased with its looks and playful ways. 



I have studiously endeavored to guard against a mis- 

 take too often made by those who exchange city life for 

 farm life, and who, instead of taking up a specialty and 

 perfecting it, foolishly attempt too many things to allow 

 of success in any of them. They must deal in horses, 

 cattle of various kinds, sheep, swine, poultry, etc. 

 Others succeed with horses, but I am sure that I should 

 not, having neither the talent nor the inclination for 

 that kind of stock raising. Sheep are unquestionably a 

 profitable investment when properly cared for, but it is 

 not in my power to devote the necessary attention tcx 

 them. Even Daisy was too much for me, and had to be 

 disposed of, not, however, to the butcher, nor to one who 

 would eat him, but to one sure to treat him kindly. 



Of swine I have but few. Merely enough to consume 

 the skimmed milk from the dairy, not needed for the 

 calves. It is freely admitted that I have no fondness for 



