This classic and charming collection of poems was a best seller in 1873, the same year in which it was published. The poetry and matching illustrations beautifully depict scenes from life on the farm. Although the poems are laden with the imagery of farming and rural living, they portray such universal themes as wealth, family, nature, love, and death. Many of these poems were written on the farm in the open air, and there is a strong natural connection between the plants, animals, and land, and the lives of those who tend to them. The farm is a timeless American symbol and the sincere emotions expressed in these ballads serve as a testament to the history of hard, honest work on American soil.