The Down -hill Road 53 



ness, vigor and purity of many of the country 

 lads and lasses who come directly from the 

 healthy, solid home instruction of their parents. 



I am well aware that this chapter will not 

 revolutionize rural primary education. I do not 

 want it to do so. Revolution destroys ; evolution 

 builds. But if these brief words of one who 

 received until near manhood the thoughtful, 

 loving home training of a mother, who said, 

 •' I received a better education than my parents 

 did, and, come what will, I determine that my 

 children shall have better opportunities for se- 

 curing an education than I had," shall persuade 

 some that the farm home is the natural, the 

 appointed place for training children until they 

 have passed the critical mental and physical 

 period of life, I shall be content. 



