66 



THE GEKESEE FARMER. 



liaving used foretliought during the time they were 

 clearing the rest of their land, they find 'vvhen they 

 iiave dono clearing, that what is left is of little 

 value, all the best liaving been culled out. 



Considering thai my iieigliboi-s' plans, or rather 

 110 plans, were erroneous, when I commenced clear- 

 ing, I set apart twenty acres for woodland on one 

 corner of my lot. 1 would keej) my woodland in 

 as square a lorin as possible, as the storms have less 

 eftect in overturning the larger and more v.-duable 

 trees when in a compact form, than when it is 

 stretched out in a long, narrow strip. I consider 

 twenty acres of woodland sutRcient on a one hun- 

 dred acre farm, if managed in a judicious manner. 

 My plan would be, to make use of all the fallen 

 timber first, then the dead and unsightly, and lastly 

 the overgrown trees. The benefit of this plan 

 would be, the rendering of the woodland more 

 open and roomy; thus allowing a greater chance 

 of grovvtii to the young and thrifty trees. If a 

 much less quantity than twenty acres is retained 

 out of the original forest, the wind will have such 

 force upon it as to overthrow the most valuable of 

 the timber. I have remarked in all small lots, 

 after the larger timber has been either blown down 

 or otherwise removed, a very inferior growth of 

 young timber, it being always stunted and bushy. 

 These difficulties, I believe, will be overcome by 

 keeping a twenty acre lot, and by judicious, thin- 

 ning of the timber, as recommended above. It will 

 beautify and ornament the place, and be of lasting 

 benefit to our posterity. a. b. o. 



Towiix/iip i,f Amaranth, C. W. 



KSCEEATIONS AND AMUSEMENTS FOE FAEMERS 

 AND THEIE FAMILIES. 



No people need more and better recreations than 

 the farming community, and no community should 

 be more careful to have their amusements directed 

 in the proper channel. Recreations and amuse- 

 ments lay the foundation of the character, in too 

 many instances. Amusements often occupy the 

 mind for a considerable time afterward. If our 

 amusements are of a character that may, under 

 extreme circumstances, run into unlawful and 

 unholy channels, the mind will also occupy the 

 same ground, and lead us into corrupt and dissi- 

 pated habits. If our amusements are of that 

 character which would be likely to cultivate our 

 physical and mental powers, they would not lead 

 us into indolence, carelessness, or dissipation. 

 However, recreations and amusements are crea- 

 tures of circumstances. What would be a recreation 

 at one time, would be a tax at another, and what 

 would be amusement at one time, would be annoy- 

 ance at another. Much dejiends on the state of 

 the mind and feelings. Still, certain amusements 

 may become habitual by careful training,, 



Parents, and fiirmers in particular, should select 

 amusements which will lead the mind into the chan- 

 nel of their pursuits in life ; participating freely 

 themselves, and manifesting great pleasure. in so 

 doing. Anmsements that would call the mind from 

 home, or e>trange it from its occupation, should not 

 be introduced. Agriculturists should adopt such 

 amusements as would teach lessons of economy, 

 frugality, industry, ambition, fortitude, manliness, 

 truthfulness, humanity, love, etc.; and never indulge 

 or countenance an amusement which begets weak- 



ness or imbecility of mind. Let every recreation 

 contribute to elevate the mind, rather than reduce '■ 

 it below its every-day standard. Recreations and ' 

 amusements are useful, if wisely employed. If not, 

 they become traps and snares to the youthful mind. 



As agriculture is the highest and most hxudablo 

 calling to which man can aspire, it is safe to direct 

 the youthful mind into that channel. This has no 

 baneful influence on any ather pursuit, and of all 

 men, farmers have the means and opportunities to 

 offer amusements and recreations to their families, 

 of the most ennobling character. Farmers' sons 

 can be indulged in yoking and breaking steer 

 calves, and at the same time cultivate a taste for 

 good oxen. They can have a piece of ground to 

 cultivate, and make a recreation of the labor it 

 requires. They may be indulged with a sletl, cart^ 

 etc, and be taught order and system with them. 

 Their daughters may be indulged with dolls, dishes. 

 etc., to teach them order and system. They should 

 be indulged in having their knitting, sewing, wash- 

 ing, ironing, mending, cooking, etc., and be under 

 the superintendence of the mother or elder sister, 

 who should instruct and encourage them. Farmers' 

 families should observe all the holidays, and be 

 particular in making them interesting, by entering- 

 into the merits of them with energy and feeling. 

 A suitable daughter should be mistress of the feast^ 

 and the family treated as guests. The son should 

 wait on the table with all the politeness he is^ 

 master of, and the conversation of all should be 

 that of a visiting party. On another day, some 

 others of the family to be actors. Each member 

 of the family should have their trees, floweis, and 

 green-house plants to cultivate. Some inducement 

 should be held out in each department of work, so 

 that those who perform it may feel interested. 

 This takes from labor its sharp, servile edge. A 

 farmer can easily infuse a deep interest into liis 

 family in all branches of his business. He can 

 make himself useful and happy in participating in 

 all their amusements. Singing should be practiced 

 at set times by the family. Girls and b'jys should 

 mingle in skating, ball-playing, kite-flying, etc. 

 Make all the leisure time interesting m the farLily, 

 and few will want to go from home for a recess. 



Farmers should make themseH^es particularly 

 interesting to their family, so tlat their presence 

 would be agreeable, under all circumstances. Dis- 

 pense with all austere, harsh and arbitrary lan- 

 guage and habits. Teach the iimily to speak kindly 

 to each other, act genteelly, -tud to be courteous to 

 each other in all their intercourse and amusements. 

 Teach them, in kindness, the improjjriety of a 

 foolish pride, the silly ap/>earance of gaudy trap- 

 pings and extravagant decorations. Teach them 

 to be above all indolent; base, demoralizing, and 

 silly fashions ; and you will shun many extravagant, 

 foolish, and pernicious jinusements. Make all the 

 work and duties go of with a zest; keeping up 

 good appearances, pre«erving a cheerfal and tran- 

 quil state of mind, and sympathize freejy with each 

 member, be tlieir conditions what they nay. Keep 

 up this condition of affairs at home, andrecreatioas 

 and amusements will be little called fo-, and l©'^- 

 sought after. You wiU have no disipateJ. - 

 absconded sons, no abandoned daughter^ or heart- 

 broken wives, ■W.PLEKOB. 

 Ravenna, Ohio. 



