The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-02-23
w. EBENsBURC, Pa, THURsDAY. FEBRUA2Y 1850

scrlphon OF the aspect presented by many
farm in Pennsylvania, whose owner or
occupant is not sluggard, or, in many
respects, ''void Of understanding" but an
industrious, and, to most things, thrifty
man. His error is in not cultivating, and
consequently not being able to appreciate,
or ut any rate ncglccting, what is deman-
dcd by good taste, or Il taste for the refined
and beautiful, not less worthy of gratifca-
ton, certainly, than the mere animal ap-
petites.
Subject to some creditable exceptions,
1t IS true, IN every neighborhood, our
farmers, in general, allow themselves to
fall into slovenly habits, and their farms
to present neglected and diIapidated ap-
pearance. This is most likely to be found
the case Of farms occupied by tenants ;
but it is true, also, Of many cultivated by
their owners. Many . comparatively well
cultivated tield,-I say comparatively, for
few can be said to be well cultivated,-
surrounded by a fence barely sufficient to
protect the current crop, sharing the ground
1T occupies with a venerable growth of
briers and thorns Meadows which in
proper condition would be lovely lawns.
contrasting delightfully."- with the cultivated
upiants, arc not untrequently seen sur
rounded by an unsig.Itly border, consist
ing OF . dilapidated worm fence, partially
hid by Il rank growth Of bricIs and BRAN
bles, and splotched over with punches of
bushes which the mowers have moved
round for years. The fields are inconve-
nient and iil-shaped. The orchard, if
there is one, mas here and there through
it a dead tree, which it seems to be the
calculation, should remain until, under
nature slow, but sure process, it mould
ers down into the earth; while others
again, unthrifty for want Of care, are de-
formed by dead limbs and branches I'm
plements are lying around where they
were last used, to rot by careless exposure.
The barn, stabling and out-buiIdings, and
even the house and garden, (unle5s, as it is
sometimes happily the case, the better
taste and care OF 4 tidy and industrious
housewife, have saved these latter from
the general neglect and diIapidation,) } you
find in strict correspondence with the
surroundings. This is not fancy, but a
faithful general description of many a
farm in this and every other county in
Pennsylvania. What a contrast between
this and one tastcfully arranged into fields.
the fences in good order and the fence
rows clean-the meadow, one green,
smooth sWard-the orchard pruned and
thrltty-the barn, and sheds, and tool
house, and outbuildings whiJe-washed and
neat-the garden neatly fenced and taste
fully cultivated-thc house painted white
and enclosed, and surrounded with fruit
trees, and shrubs, and vines, and flowers.
What sight more beautiful and euchant-
Ing We cannot pass without admiring
and regarding it as the very abode Of
health, and peace, and purity, and happi-
ness. "Here," we are ready to say, '.is
spot Of this earth which has been redeem
ed from the curse" Here, if anywhere.
is very counterpart Of Eden ~
Now, this difference costs nothing more
than little care and labor, amounting
only to pleasant recreation, and a positive
and eleyating qualification Of the culGva-
ted taste which prompts it. And yet can
it be doubted that little systematic at
tention to this biect-clearing out fields,
and meadows, and ience-rows, white-wash-
ing fences, barns, and out-buildings, pru-
ming fruit-trecs, and planting occasionally
q fruit tree, or shrub, or flower, and fixing
and arranging generally with a view to
completely renovate and
transform the appearance of many farm?
There are few, indeed, which such atten-
tion would not visibly improve. And why
should not this be done? Would it not
contribute largely ID real comfort and
happiness? 10 we live for no higher
qualification than to cat and drink?
But it adds to the Ualte Of farm. 4
Pennsylvania senator, from one Of the
eastern counties, was heard complain that
the assessors valued his farm fUe dollars
an acre more than the farms of his neigh
bors, while he declared the only difference
was that las fences accre ichjtc-,castc8 =
And the judgment of purchaser, or one
desiring to possess himself Of home.
would be more likely to be thus influenced
than the Bucks county assessors. Who,
If he wished to purchase, would not make
a difference between Il farm which judi
cious care and good taste had decorated
with attractions. and one which neglect
had suffered to become unsi9htly? What
renders anything more sought and sale
able, enhances its value. Modern expe-
rienco still proves the market standard Of
Hudibras-
''What is worth in anything,
But so much money as twill bringl'
Yes,-be assured that these ornaments,
strewcd over your farm by a refined and