It may be stated as a foregone conclusion that no farm is well equipped for the happiness and well-being of those who dwell thereon unless there be an ample supply of good literature in the house. No matter how well stocked with high-grade farm animals, how productive in point of farm crops, how well kept the hedges and lanes may be, secret poverty and littleness of mind lurk in that home if the literature is wanting. So, first of all, let us lay the foundation by means of enumerating some periodicals and books of a more general nature. [Illustration: PLATE VII. FIG. 7.--It is a mistake to try to make bookworms of children. Many of their best books are "green fields and running brooks," also frequent opportunity to play together in groups and neighborhoods.] 1. _The best reading._--Of course the Bible might head the list. Whether or not there be a large "family" Bible, there should be at least a text of convenient size and form for everyday use. This book should contain a good concordance. Then there should come into the home a first-class weekly newspaper; possibly the local paper will supply this need. Many farm homes now receive a daily paper regularly. In addition there should be available a weekly or monthly summary of the current events of the nation and the world. The _Literary Digest_, the _World's Work_, and the _Review of Reviews_ are examples of standard magazines of this particular class. Either one of them will stimulate most helpfully the quiet thought of the farmer and the members of his family and keep one in touch with the most important movements of the country. Along with the foregoing, there should be kept constantly at hand a first-class farm magazine. There are numberless periodicals of this sort, but perhaps among those of the first rank and those which especially give definite helps for the boy-and-girl life of the farm may be mentioned _Wallaces' Farmer_, Des Moines, Iowa, the _Farmer's Voice_, Chicago, Illinois, and the _Farmer's Guide_, Huntington, Indiana. Also, the semi-official state paper well known in many of the commonwealths is usually very helpful. Look out for trash. There are many papers published, ostensibly in the interest of farm life, which are in fact cheap and trashy sheets made use of almost wholly as a medium of advertising quack medicines, get-rich-quick schemes, and other frauds. A reliable means of testing the value of any one of these so-called "farm" or "home" papers is to examine the advertisements. If there be any considerable number of advertisements which offer sure cures for chronic diseases, confidential treatments for secret troubles, fortune telling, and attractive high-priced articles at a trifling cost, then the whole thing is probably fraudulent and not worthy to come into your home. Also avoid the paper or magazine which advertises intoxicating liquors. It is very low in moral tone, to say the least.