March 8, A. D. 1906. 



THE FARMER'S BEST INVESTMENT 



Mrs. S. EMMA SOUTHLAND. 



Once I believed that he who delivered a good address upon 

 the successful running of a home or a grange, or read a bright 

 paper upon the care of the cow or the pig, knew what he was 

 talking about. But, alas, in many instances he who tells how 

 to manage lacks all the qualities that go to make a successful 

 leader, and he who talks upon the cow or the pig never owned 

 either. Your own home, your own grange, the successful man- 

 agement of that, is the best recommendation you can possibly 

 have that you know what you are talking about. 



One of the finest papers I ever heard in regard to the running 

 of an ideal home was by a bright little woman with whom I 

 promptly fell in love. A few days afterward I called upon that 

 woman in her own home. Such a scene of neglect, of dirt, of 

 wild confusion as greeted my eyes ! 



At the beginning of life the mother's thoughts, hopes, aspira- 

 tions and fears she bequeathes to her babe. Those of you who 

 can look back and remember the teachings of a good mother and 

 the influence of a good home, have every encouragement to 

 lead honorable, honest, upright lives. But there are many who 

 are bom into this world who know not the meaning of the 

 words home and mother in their truest sense. There are women 

 not entitled to the name of mother who bring into the world 

 little children. 



My heart goes out in sympathy to the man or woman who 



has been deprived of these most blessed privileges, a good home 



in childhood, a good mother's teachings. Did you ever think 



in your deepest afflictions, your greatest humiliation of spirits, 



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