they'll have it to care for. I'm so [ance. "They own a big farm and thankful we've more sense. When we have lots of cows, sheep and chickens. get enough money to pay for such Don't you want to go? Pshaw, they trash we'll use it to buy a cow." You won't mind if you are a stranger, may punctuate this with kisses if you they'll be tickled to death to see us. like and John will think was there Bring the children and we'll have a ever on earth such another sensible fine time." Did you ever, right in the little body. O, you can fool them midst of house cleaning, when you to the end, if you only under- were struggling to gain time by havstand your business. ing a picked up dinner, look out and see a load of 'jolly, daintily dressed city people drive up to your door? Did you? And did you wring your hands family larder flashed through your that you so heartily de And above all, don't nag. A constant nagging would break the spirit of any man. You may have a temper (some women acquire one by inheritance), in despair as the meagerness of the but you never allowed him to see the ugly side of it before you were married, and don't do it now. If you feel you must give vent to it, wait until he has gone, then grit your teeth, take a good, solid chair and shake it furiously. You can make believe it's John and no harm will come to the delusion your husband is laboring under. John, all unconscious, will very likely be heard bragging about the even disposition of his wife. Still, if you are unable to control your temper, if you must give John a piece of your mind, have it out, in a hand to hand conflict, if need be. It may clear the atmosphere, like a thunder storm. Still, I wouldn't advise it, but it's better than nagging. Whatever you do, don't nag Company at the Farm. Now, I beg of you, don't put those people in a stuffy parlor and offer them amusement in the shape of a family album. They don't care a rap for the pictured faces of "your sisters, your cousins or your aunts." They may take a passing interest in the vel decked bride or the chubby charms of an unknown infant, but it won't add to their good opinion of the restful side of farm life to have you rush to the kitchen and begin baking and stewing until your strength is ex Don't let them carry back to their city homes the impression that you are an ignorant drudge whose sole conception of hospitality is an overloaded table and an apologizing hostess. There are refined, thoughtful people, who live in cities, who do not come to you for a meal. They can buy that. The usual monotonous round of in-hausted and your nerves all aquiver. dcor work is broken all to smithereens by the occasional appearance of one or more guests, for while some townbred people shrink from the responsibilities incident to rural life they are not unmindful of its summertime attractions. And when spring buds and bloom are beckoning in tantalizing fascination the temptation to make a raid on some nearby farm house becomes SO irresistible that a cheery voice will be heard calling to a neighbor: "It's a lovely day. Don't you want to take a drive in the country. I know a farmer who lives a few miles cut. They're farmers, but they're nice people," is hastily added by way of apology for so obscure an acquaint But they do come longingly to the farm for what is priceless. They come for the peace and rest and comfort that country life affords. They come to fill their weakened lungs with that rare oxygen of which we have so much and to spare. They come to be in closer touch with Mother Nature and to lay their weary heads upon her soothing bosom; to prove a potent passport to the esteem learn something of her wondrous se- of all men, and these young people crets, and for a time to break loose had returned vainglorious enough to from the galling chains of formality. feel the knowledge acquired had Now don't give them the idea that raised them superior to those who farm life dwarfs the intellect. Greet through long years of self-denial had them with a cordial welcome. Let made this educational training posthem see that while you may know sible. nought of the latest social fads, you are quite familiar with every phase of your calling. Give them a part of yourself and a share of your wisdom. Take them to your clean barns, show them your gentle cattle and call their attention to the individual merits of your stock. You may be able to quite astonish them with the glibness by which you can tabulate the pedigree of a favorite cow. Have a dignity and pride that will serve to point to the uplifting character and attractive features of your profession rather than assume a bearing that will tend to accent its defects. If you are the good housewife you should be, your bread and butter will be wholesome and palatable. If you have tea and coffee, well and good, if not, perhaps you have milk, in case of a shortage in this liquid, there is water. Your table should at all times be clean and it will require but a moment to lay the extra plates. Now, ring the bell or blow the dinner horn; call in the men. It will not be necessary to offer an explanation for having your help eat at the same table; your guests will readily understand that it is your usual custom, and one best suited to your conditions. Have a dignity and manner of your own and it will be respected. Do not strive to imitate ways unsuited to your means or mode of life. I have known these young men and women when entertaining some college friend to say: "Let's get father to wait." Perhaps father likes to eat in his shirt sleeves, or with his knife. Well, what of that? Isn't it father's home? And such breaches of etiquette are mere trifles compared to the sneaking ingratitude of a nature that would postpone father's meal in order to cater to the good will of a stranger. Now is the time to show father the true value of a creditable education. Let him see that the money obtained by many sacrifices on his part was not misapplied; that it had helped to make a man of you and not a contemptible snob. Place him at the head of the table with the unmistakable air, you are honored today by being permitted to eat with my father. The man or woman, young or old, who is too good to sit at father's table and eat father's bread in father's company is not the person for you to cultivate. Cut the acquaintance at once and let your aim in life be to move in a better grade of society. It may be your father's clothes are not the latest cut; possibly they are sunbleached and shiny at the seams. Still, if you will stop to think, he may have been so occupied in his efforts to pay the bills for your improvement that there was little time for thought of his own apparel. Remember this and that your filial obligation is a lasting debt of gratitude. See that it is paid in full and with usury, for if his son does not show him deference you expect others to do so. cannot “Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother." Yet. I have known of cases where fathers and mothers had toiled and saved and planned all the best years of their lives in order to give their children advantages of which they Need of Literature. themselves had been denied. They The progressive farmer of today had sent them to academy or college needs no urging to supply his family to obtain the education that should with abundant and suitable reading matter, therefore, the country woman To the Men. she'll not thrive and develop all the tender possibilities that lie within the fertile soil of a glorious nature. What she does desire above all things is appreciation, love, and petting. It doesn't cost anything. She'll never tell you, for the woman I have in mind is too proud to beg for what rightfully belongs to her. When you have taken this girl to share your fortune of either weal or woe, when While the task of home-making is you, by your protestations of love and more generally supposed to devolve or fidelity, have severed the ties that the woman of a family, each member, bound her to the home of her girlgreat or small, should bear & re- hood, when she has willingly forsaken sponsibility and take both interest and father and mother to cling only unto action in preserving the dignity of you, make it your life long study home life, be it lowly or grand. Some and duty to see that she never men are utterly unconscious of the has cause to regret the step that you fact that they have formed an entirely are responsible for her having taken. erroneous idea of woman and her Be patient. Remember that hereclaims upon them. They are unable tofore she has leaned upon the counto comprehend the real nature and sel and encouragement of her mother, characteristics of the true type of an and now she is called upon to exercise intelligent, refined woman. They do her own judgment and skill. She'll not know how to draw out and de- make mistakes, she wouldn't be velop her finest qualities any better human if she didn't. Commend her than some farmers understand manag- every effort, even if the result fall ing a dairy cow to obtain best re short. Let her see that you have sults. faith in her ability to accomplish all They are laboring under the impres- things, and she'll not disappoint you. sion that all women are vain, frivo- Tell her she is the neatest, most order. lous, irresponsible creatures that ly, little housekeeper in the country, should be firmly held in subjection, and you are proud to have the neighthat if a man is unable to provide one bors go through her kitchen. with fine clothes, jewelry and social She'll not fail you. Tell her amusement she will soon become dis- if she keeps on improving she contented and wretched. A greater will beat your mother cooking. Why, mistake was never made. The real man alive, she'll do it every time. You woman doesn't care for fine clothes, don't know of the qualities to be jewelry or social position. If she brought out and emphasized with a favors them, it is only because she little judicious praise. Save her believes such adornment and position strength, because an ambitions little will make her more pleasing in the woman will place no limit on her eneyes of the man she loves. Women durance when she's bidding for the were born to make believe, and I have approval of the man she loves. Keep known them to serenely smile while a watchful eye on her that she may their hearts were breaking. No, she not overtax her energy, and, if you does not hinge her happiness on cannot afford help, there are numerluxurious raiment. If she cannot ous ways in which you may render command something better, she'll valuable assistance about the house. take it, just as a starving cow will eat See to it that she has an income or straw when she can't get hay, but allowance that is quite her own, and for which she need render no account- the spirit and ambition in any woman. ing. Let her feel that you would gladly provide her with every luxury if it were within your power. Give her the chickens-you'll have a better flock of fowls-and see that she has the proper place and the needed assistance to enable her to show her skill and business ability in their management. Say to her: "The money you get from this source shall be yours without question." You'll find it will pay you well, for when taxes are due or you want to cancel a note, you won't have to go to the bank, you can borrow of your wife,-she'll have it saved. No, women are not the extravagant creatures some men think them. Give her your confidence and let her feel the blessing of your unbounded trust. Say to her: "Here is the pocket-book. There are such and such payments to meet, you know what we can afford as well as I; use the money as you think best." This liberty and confidence will be its safest guard, she will never touch it without first consulting you. You'll find it all there and she will cheerful ly make over her old dresses and trim her bonnets, year after year, until you begin to admire the more up-todate clothes of some other woman. Don't say my farm. This is a partnership affair and the proper term is our farm. Ask her advice on all business matters. If you don't see fit to follow her suggestions, explain your objections and she'll be satisfied. Let her be thoroughly conversant with your business and business methods, then, if you should leave her unprotected, she will be less liable to fall a victim in the toils of unscrupulous estate adjusters. Don't take it for granted that she knows you love her, tell her so. I'll give you a ration. Tell her three times a day that you love her-no roughage in this if you please. Don't tell her in an indifferent way. You know how you said it the first time, now repeat it with renewed tenderness. Three times a day is not too often and many women can assimilate to advantage a much heavier ration. Don't be afraid to use endearing terms, have a pet name for her and call her girl, even if she be sixty or older. Youth and age are the times when love is best appreciated. Don't complain that women fade and that the stylish, lively girl is too often apt to change into a morose, commonplace matron, for it lies within your power to prevent this transformation. A woman's heart is a strange creation, it is a sensitive plant that sends out tiny clinging tendrils and if they come in contact with a cold, unresponsive barrier, they will turn and seek sustenance elsewhere. that Sometimes she will transfer to her children the love and devotion would have been gladly given to her husband had she met encouragement. Again the better part of her affectionate nature is bestowed upon clubs, charity work, educational aims or ambitious schemes. Sometimes Satan, in the guise of one who understands her nature, offers a glittering imitation of the more substantial love she craves, and if she has been taught to regard indolence and luxury above honor and industry, her situation is indeed a perilous one, but, if from childhood she has been trained in a belief that humble duty conscientiously performed may bring greater reward and joy than a realized ambition, she stands serene and safe. Don't go about with your lips shut and your mind occupied on matters ⚫ too weighty for her comprehension. So long as she has assurance of her If she timidly calls your attention to husband's love and confidence she will the merits of some new dish or im- never grow old or discontented. Tall provement, don't carelessly say: "O, sons and daughters, yes, and tiny it's all right, if it wasn't you'd hear grandchildren may mark the progress from me." Such comments will crush of years, but she, living in an atmos phere of love and appreciation, will the minds and hearts of our little remain forever young and attractive. ones, we shall have dowered them O, if we will but cultivate these lit- with a higher education and a far tle tender courtesies as painstakingly more valuable legacy than lands and as we do our grains and grasses! If gold, for we will then surely find we will by daily effort and example that all of earth and the greater part sow the fertile seeds of a spirit of in- of heaven is centered right in that litdustry, sincerity and appreciation in tle spot called Home. ADDRESS. Governor ROBERT M. La FOLLETTE, Madison, Wis. the Department of Agriculture of the University of Wisconsin. So novel and extraordinary did the idea of receiving a degree in Agriculture appear then, that the audience smiled audibly and applauded half in jest.. It is an honor to greet you here tonight in the name of the state which you are doing so much to advance in wealth and power in the Union. It is a privilege to express to you the profound interest and appreciation which I, in common with all our citizens, It would have been difficult to confeel in the important work which is vince any one in that audience, or any being accomplished through this one in the state at that time that bebranch of our educational system,- fore another generation had come to blending as it does the practical maturity, the Department of Agriand scientific instruction so valuable culture would be one of the most imto the leading industry of our com-portant in the University; that it monwealth. would have buildings and equipment As I have followed the range and equaling, if not surpassing, any scope of your work, as I look over this others; and that the graduates from fine assemblage of men and women, the long, the short, and the dairy I am filled with wonder at the changes courses would number nearly two which have taken place in twenty thousand men. Not only this, but that years. This branch of University extension, reaching forth over the state, multiplying these centers for the dissemination of practical learning and knowledge known as Farmers' Institutes, have become blood and bone of the agricultural life of Wisconsin in less than two decades. the Bureau of Agriculture would be raised to the dignity of a Cabinet Department of the National Government, whose first and greatest secretary should be "Jerry" Rusk, of Wisconsin; that, besides, experimental stations should be established over the country to co-operate with the state governments in placing AgriculSchool of Agriculture's Great Growth. ture on a scientific basis; that, assoI well remember that only twenty- ciated with these and completing the four years ago, as the graduating class system, should be these traveling inat the University for that year filed stitutes uniting the practical with the past President Bascom to receive their experimental, carrying the knowledge degrees, the last man in the line to be of the scientist directly to the farmer thus honored was William W. Brown of in form ready for every day use in Waukesha county, first graduate of the varied problems of Agriculture. |