HOW TO MAKE A FARMER

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6543, 27 February 1928, Page 10

HOW TO MAKE A FARMER

FROM FLOCK HOtTStS MAGAZINE. Take ono raw recruit, preferably of Irish or Scotch extraction, and rear him in South Shields, Transport port him to Flock House New Zealand. Learn his language, and teach him your'a—A little “Army Talk” is very effective at times. If he is to bo a working farmer, treat him as follows; Take him outside —Show him a horse- —explain what it is and how to approach same —Tell him what to do, give him the harness and ask him to connect it with the horse —Leave for one hour. Go back — unravel the harness —apologise to the horse —show the boy again—Demonstrate how it is done, Do this .repeatedly every day for a week then write in his worksheet “Shows promise. Very nervous of animals, etc.” Next week put him on as house, orderly—scullery boy for preference—tho peaceful atmosphere is good for the nerves. Introduce him to the pots and pans. Explain that no matter how hard he scrubs them they won’t kick or bite. He won’t believe you—Explain again. Demonstrate. Continue explaining. By the end of the week he will have assimilated the fact that soap and water cleans —if used —but rarely will he ever use them. Write in his worksheet, “This boy would be better outside. Is highly nervous of soap, water, and scrubbing brushes ” Now try him on gardening. Explain the implements and what they are for. Show him what a plant is— Teach him to weed. Leave for an hour or so—Return and remove boy—gently—Be thankful it is only the celery that is demolished —ho might have been worse. Murmur the Flock House prayer ‘Lotd keep me Sweet” —try again—teach him to hoc and dig especially to dig. It will be useful to him some .day, and is considered good for nerves. In time he will learn the difference between carrot tops and parsley—it takes time though. Write in his worksheet "This boy is very nervous when resting out of the sight of the foreman; is not partial to lawn-mowers, implements, or weeds!” Now put him on laundry—first remove any article of value from the laundry. Teach him to wash; teach him to sew; to patch and darn. That is try—you may not succeed —The socks may be painful to the wearer—"but ’tis tho ship that counts and not the crew.” Teach him not to complain. Write in bis worksheet —"Am troubled about this boy —he repeatedly enquires of empty space, “Oh why do men leave home?” Now put him in tho cowshed. He will fancy himself a Matadore. Introduce him nicely to the cow. A lot depends upon his first impression. Explain to him that the cow is a kind creature and only has to be milked to bo understood. Give him a bucket, place him on a stool-in front of the cow, and show him how to proceed. Then leave for one minute (The pupil is always nervous if watched.) —Return rapidly—extricate boy—pacify cow—Explain to cow “It is the game and not the players of the game that count.” She must understand that she is only a player—lt’s all in the game—Start, again—At the end of half an hour, remove boy and milk the cow yourself—Patience is 1 necessary here. Be very, very patient. Continue to bo patient. Tho season does come to an end, and when it does, rest and bo thankful: Remember that tho poor Mock House folks’ season, like the brook goes on for ever —Write In his ' worksheet, “Has been known to sprint when in the same paddock as the bull, otherwise not noted for speed. Pity he drinks —Cream.” But take courage. In spite of all the difficulties to be expected when you try to turn Home-bred city lads into colonial farmers, in tho short space of six months, over three hunJ dred have passed through Flock House, and somewhere or other are now “making good.”