Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-11-11
OTTUMWA, IOWA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER II, 1852
what Every Farmer may Have.


house, neat, tasteful structure, adorn-
Ing his farm, and contributing to his
comfort. There is, on every farm, if
one could but find il, site for house,
with grounds near it suitable for a gar.
dea and out buildings.
What pity such locations should not
be selected, instead of the sorry places
where too many farm houses are placed!
We have seen house stand on a ledge
of rocks, and recess for garden ex-
cava'ed in a bank in the rear,
when, not forty rods distant, most invi-
ting spot for building was neglected; and
another stuck down on low swampy
piece OF land, with planks running to
the road as a means of access, when on
the opposite side of the road. gentle
emiuence, crowned with noble forest
trees, was occupied by cattle. ...
As to the houses themselves, much
might be said. Generally speaking. they
seem to be product of the farm; ths, is,
a thrifty well cultivated farm, has a snug
dwelling on 1t, and slovenly, ill-tllled
one, has an overgrown or decaying tene-
ment.
A correct taste in building is not, or
cannot be in the possession Of every
one. Architecture is a science, and
'aste Is the result of cultivation. and
none but men educated 10 their profess
sion. should undertake TO design and
build house.
\.
II Is true, that SO many sticks of tim
ber, boards, nails, and shingles, will
make building, and SO too. given
quantity of iron, steel, and brass, will
make a steam engine, but novice makes
IA failure when he undertakes to construct,
either. Sill. a lille attention. the peru
sal OF work on this subject, might
form some taste, and substitute tolerable
dwellings for The ungaiuly structures
that SO often are seen.
E.ery farmer MAJ. if he will, have
garden not patch of onions here, of
beets there, of cabbages somewhere else,
Interspersed with bean poles and pola-
toes, bu. verisable garden, cult, aseG
place.
A farm that has not plo, of ground
adapted to the purposes of garden. had
better De abandoned at once. There is
no good reason why the real luxuries
that spring from the soil, under the cul-
ture of the practical gardener. should be
confded TO the lands of the gentleman of
leisure. They belong as legitimalely TO
the sturdy, hard working farmer, and in
deed more so; for he who labors most
actively. should reap the riches. harvest.
All thar serves TO make life more desira-
bic, that tends to the Improvement of The
soil. the mind, and the heart, is not be-
meath the attention of man. We cannot
conceive of more fit place to commence
the careful cultivation of farm, than the
garden. Ii would soon be evident lha,
the greater care bestowed on the soil,
the greater its product, and so system
of culture woald by degrees be adapted,
I'LL the whole farm should become a
fruitful field. .. -...- .-.-...
In the cultivation of garden, can be
noted on small scale all the phenome-
na Of growth, and from data there gath
cred, one can advance successfully from
the ,illing of marrow beds to tha, of
broad acres. The knowledge necessary
to success in gardening, is rather the re-
suit of experience, than of fixed rules
There is requisite a taste for the art,
close observations, and a modicum of
practical skill; give these, and common
sense will supply the deficit. We would
no, by any means, profess to teach gar
dening ..iu six easy lessons" but we as
sers that any one SO disposed can make
beginning.
There are certain adjuncts to gar
den, which a majority of farmers who
take the trouble tn cultivate few escu-
lent roots seem TO think altogether too
;rifllng to merit their attention. Surh
are beds of flowers. Towering shrubs,
and grape and other yiues. That ever
potent argument of expense, anG the
ready excuse of poverty, canuot be ur-
ged against these decorations of the
farmers home. A man may be too
poor 10 erect a costly cottage, but no one
is TOO poor To cultivate bed of flowers,
10 plant shrubbery around his humble
dwelling, or 10 train vine to relieve its
bare exterior. A beauty unattained by
any triumph of art, is thus in the reach
of the most obscure. Nature. waits Ia
provide. .'without money and wiihou,
price," the ornaments of a cultivated
field. and tho pleasure of cultivated
mind.
Contrast for one moment, the cottage
and the lawn, with the rude dwelling and
and It's unkept grounds.
Compare the beauty aud fragrance o
flowers, with the unsigh,ly weed and its
rank odor-mark the difference between
the luxurian, green of shrubbery, and
the vacancy of barren yards. aud ,ber
decide whether an hour of time can b.
better spent than in effeciing such |;
change.
The past few years have wrought q
manifest improvement in matters of ru
raj lasie, but as ye, its evidences are con
fined to cottages aud farm. houses; scat.
tered here and there, like GASES in I'll,
wild desert. 1t will be seen, however
,ha, as agriculture advances. and system