Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-06-10
Flowers for Farmers.


down all the old forest trees in sight, which do
nothing but shade the highway and the pas
lures, and had much better be turned into bank
bills. And those useless posy bushes Sarah has
got in the front yard had better be grubbed up
and currant bushes set in their place, or some
kind of vegetable grown there, something, at
least. that will help to feed the family. Then,
perhaps. we shall get on.
Please, Sir, not quite so fast. Possibly you
have not thought enough about this matter on
all sides. Let us take it up and air it little
Brother farmer, what do you live torI what
is the great object of your thoughts and labor!
If it is not tue highest and best OF all otJects,
viz: TO be right, and to do right toward God ana
man: perhaps it is the next best thing, VIZ: "
be bappy Yourself, and to make others so. Well.
does il make you really happy to deny yourself
and family rational enjoyments, to strip your
house within and without Of every luxury and
ornament, in order that You may lay up few
more dollars and cents! If SO, then hang up
your harness in your wltes parlor, anu turn
your daughters flower beds into kitchen-gar'
den, and enjoy yoarSeJ! ;.
But if this eau possibly make you happy, II
will hardly be so with others. See your little
children wandering about tue premises, search
ING for flowers they are never so happy as
when they find buttercup or violet ohouiu
not that simple and natural tuste be grained
If they had little garden OF their own, Where
they might dig, and plant, and water, ana IN
dul.ra all sorts of childish fanceS, would they
not be happier,and would they not in after years
have pleasanrer recollections OF their chidhoods 5
home and fonder recollectons of youf They
muxt have amusenents OF some kind would you
nor rather they should be innocent and health
ml? You wish them to BIZ happy and content
ed at home should you not try to make their
home attractivel Indulge in them such tastes
as will make them happy there. Set them your
self an example i'll these things. Encircle the
homestead with shade trees planted by your and
YOUR sons hands.
Devote snal-we should like to say large
space around the front of your house to shrub
berry and Towering pants arranged by your
wits's and daughters tastes. And let these
things come into your plans and your conversa-
tion every year, rs things of real interest and
value. You will, then, have no occasion to ex
hort your children to be happy at home. Their
fathers house will be their joy and pride. And
whenever the times come for them to go, one
after another. to form new homes for themselves,
they will leave you with fond regret and their
new homes will be patterned after the old,
Well. well, Mr.. Editor, enough said: must
have such home, whether get rich or not
Now. please tell me just how to begin, for have
hardly thought of these things before.
We have already told you, in general terms;
but to be more particular, take few suggestions
like these: Plant the roads leading to your
house with double rows OF forest trees lhe
maple. ash, elm, basswood-wliat can be oetterf
Set q few in groups here and there III your pas
ture lots: what finer sight from your door step
than your hocks lying at noon beneath their
sbade2 Lay out u generous piece OF Srouhd on
the front. and one side OF your house, ior orha-
mental purposes, and surround it with neat,
low fence or hedge. Grade it smooth, ana SOW
it with red top grass seed and whlte clover
orchard grass and red clover are better as you
know. for the meadow. Cut out lew pains
and cover them with gravel.
On the outskirts of this lawn, plant a few fruit
trees but let those near the house be OF the
smaller and more ornamental kinds, such as tie
Mountain Ash, Larch, Horse-Chesnut European
linden Intersperse few evergreens to make
a cheerful scene in winter, and Tor this purpose,
what can be better than the Norway Spruce and
rho native Hemlock2 Cut out Il few flower beds
naar The walks. and fill them with such plants rs
will rive Won n succession of flowers all the sea
son Do this thus: In some of the beds, set Il
variety of early -howering bulbs, such as the
Snowdrop and Crocus, (blooming before the
snow is quite gomez the Datfodi, Hyacinth, Mar
cissus. Tulip and the like, blooming one after
another along into the Summer.
When these begin to fade, SOW annual flower
seeds, which will keep the same beds gay uii
Autumn. On other BEDS set perennial plants,
old fashioned and new fashioned, at least the
old. Don't forget the charming native plants,
such as the Spring Beauty, Liver Leaf Crow
foot Trailing ArbutuS, and the like Let the
time -bonored Peonies have room here, and the
Cnlumbine, the Ragged Robin, Monks Hood,
Sweet William, Glove Pink, Larkspurs, LILY OF
the Valley, Violets and others which old and
Young have always loved, and always will love.
And then, if you choose, devote some space to
Dahlias Gadoli. Verbenas, and other budding
plants" Around your windows and doors, SET
climbing roses and honeysuckles.
When you have done these things, or nay q
them. YOU will have floral zeal enough, and floral
love enough, to go on without any more exhor'
tation or instruction. When they are Completed
YOU will find your home thousand'fold pleas
anter and happier. And neighbors and stran,
gers, as they pass your premises, will stop ana
admire, and say There's farmer who knows
what's what; who is not slave 10 mere money
making, but is enjoying life as he passes through
it. He is sensible man."