COUNTRY HOMES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 329, 29 December 1888, Page 4

COUNTRY HOMES.

Ik fche better walks of country life, when the home tells of a culture in keeping with the tillage of surrounding fields, and each bhafc of the highest degree, all are ready to concede to it unlimited charms. Thousands of educated and refined people are continually impressed by the seeming luxury of such a life and hold it before them, iv whatever business they may be engaged, as the crown of their hoped-for success. To be able to retire with sufficient income to maintain a perfect country place, is the height of their ambition, and those who accomplish their purpose are rarely disappointed in the enjoyment thereof. I doubt, however, if they ever derive as much satisfaction in it as the bonajide farmer, who, by persistent and judicious exercise of business qualities, makes his farm improve itself, and likewise his family, until it becomes a business and a home to be proud of, and he and his family are in condition to enjoy ifc themselves and to make it enjoyable to people of any station in life. That such results can be' reached without the drudgery and self-deoial which seen to most people inseparable from success in farming, I am fully persuaded, and also that too much hard work, and too little indulgence in personal cravings, often defeats the very object at which we are aiming. It is judgment with the work that makes one stroke tell for two, and when the point is reached where others can bo employed to do suoh work as naturally unfits the head fordoing its legitimate part, Mien it is more profitable to employ those who have the hands and strength to work «hile the employer gives himself (or herself) time and leaves bis brain sufficiently at rest to find out the best methods and markets. There is scarcely a neighbourhood without its proof of this thejry, and it will be universally acknowledged fchar. the farmer who thus succeeds would, without doubt, have succeeded in any business he might have undertaken. It is because of business qualities men succeed in farming a8 well as in other avenues. A slouch will become on the farm juat what he would be anywhere, "a ne'er-do-well," and the practical man who understands his business will make a success of it, unless some extraordinary misfortune overtakes him, even if he hare only a half dozen acres, so surely does mother earth respond in proportion to the treatment she receives, whether intelligent or otherwise. People of moderate means and, likewise, moderate ambition, are less apt to look favourably upon farm life because of the hard work it seems to require, both indoors and out. They prefer the day's work that brings its regular wages, and the hand to mouth living that requires no forethought or afterthought. Where the market is ahvays ready, and, so too fche garbage man, and the men have their regular hours for work, and can spend the vest when and where they please, and the women so easily clean up and do likewise, that the thought of attending to the ever-recurring demand of the farm and stock appear harder than they really are. In' fact, we allow these I demands to enslave us more than is actually j necessary. We do nob enjoy what we have/ in our ambition to reach the point whereas i will be nothing but a pleasure. It is>nofc needful that we should be improvident in order to have our good times as/we go, but rather that we should maintain a spirit of enjoyment by embracing opportunities. Bodily weariness inclinesyds to seek only bodily rest, losing sighXof the fact that the mind needs a rest and recreation as well, which ifc does not receive, as fche body does from mere inaction or sleep. The minds needs to^ be turned iuto other channels to gejf out'of its old ruts, in order fco be healthy, and to do its duty toward relieving body. . In this we are the most remiss, we seem not fco learn how dependent fche body is upon fche mind,' nor how it can -be restored from fatigue or .sickness, by keeping the mind refreshed. Itis only when, we thus keep alive, the power of enjoyment that; we get such results from , country living,, as fco compensate' us for'.wh>fc the uninitiated think, ts hardships. * ,v, v