92 THE farmer's relationships. 



unquestionably authentic statements of remarkable successes 

 achieved by American country boys who, with no special 

 training for anything, found their way to the city and pros- 

 pered. 



It is the duty of the fanner to impress his children with 

 tlie truth that the day when such things are possible to the 

 ordinary boy is forever gone in this country. Ninety-nine 

 out of every hundred who hereafter may try this route to 

 success will fail. Every avenue to employment in American 

 cities is now choked as completely as it has been for centuries 

 in Europe. In every mercantile or manufacturing establish- 

 ment those already employed are constantly on the watch for 

 every opening in behalf of their own dependents and friends. 

 Tliere are twenty applicants for every place. It is also an age 

 of specialization. The boy wanted now, when any is wanted, 

 is not one who is willing to do anything, but one who knows 

 how to do something. The farmer's duty, therefore, is to 

 train his children to be either farmers or something else. 

 Some trade or profession they must have, or they will be 

 terribly handicapped in the race of life. City boys themselves 

 understand this. Country boys do not realize it. 



There are many tilings which are desirable in life, but 

 only food, shelter, and clothing are essential. These are easiest 

 come by in the country, and country life will therefore always 

 be easier than city life. The boys do not realize this, and it 

 is a farmer's duty to seek to convince them. At the same 

 time the city will always be recruited from the country, and 

 of those who go to the city a certain portion will succeed. 



Bat the best evidence of probable success in city life is 

 unusual effectiveness on the farm. The boy who is most 

 helpful at home will be most likely to be successful elsewhere. 

 'I'he shiftless boy may be a genius but is probably a defective. 

 The boys and girls, therefore, should be trained to work. 

 'Hie old-fashioned doctrine that boys were bound to work 

 for their fathers until twenty-one years of age is thoroughly 

 wholesome and useful. The children have duties to parents 

 as well as parents to children, and children ought not to 

 expect what their parents are evidently unable to bestow. 



