Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1867-04-19
Agrifnltitral department.
horticulture.
Rural Art and Rural Taste.

Rural Art and Rural Taste.
tHorti, from Hortus, Garden, ant
colo, till includes in its most exten'
sive Specification, the cultivation o.
esculant vegetables, fruits, and orna
mental plants, and the formation and
managementof>ru rural scenery for the
purpose of utility and establishment
The occasion is q fitting one for ME t.
say, that 1t is not difficult to account
for the apparent want of taste in rura
embellishmen ts, in the west. say
apparent, for it is not time yet to decide
that there is real want of it. The grea
majority Of our people have been oblig
ed to content themselves with thu
merely necessary rural architecture ant
embellishments will develop itself with
the advance of the country, in civiliza
ton, and wealth, and its results will b.
at once the evidence and the conse
quence of prosperity somewhere.
There are very few people who are
not pleased with real rural decorations
Although there may be many loving
them, who have not the genius, the
energy, the leisure, or the means, t.
originate them, or to appropriate tt
their own use those already planned.
A taste or relish for rural life, be-
lieve to be natural and general. But
the forms with which that taste will
surround itself, will depend on the cir
cumstances of its possessor, or on the
association, or cultivation of his mind.
When I see the humblest cottage
adorned by yard of shrubhery and
flowers, however small, laid out and
preserved in order and neatness, con-
slider IL a good mark; better than bright
motto at the head of o composition, an
evidence of better things unseen, the
harbinger of gentle heart, and of a
home of peace, where the affections are
cultivated, serenity dwells, and such
benevolence is distilled, as seeks its
objects quietly like the dews of heaven.
We enter it with pleasant anticipa-
tions. But when we see another dwell
ling, however large, a mere ostentatious
mass of brick and mortar, surrounded
by grounds however spaciouss slovenly
kept, and barren of the fruits of gentle
cultivation, we. feel a repugnance to
it, as to the abode of q man eft for
treason, stratagems, and spoils;" I'M
hospitahle and cold, we approach with
distrust. gEER vi gsEsHEl
The natural divisions of Horticulture
are the esculent, or kitchen garden,
nursery, fruit trees and vines, flower
garden, green house, .r6oret,tna of or
namental trees, and shrubs, the .botan-
ical and medical garden, and the land
scape or picturesque gardening. Zach
of these departments require to be sep
arately studied, before it can be man
aged so as to convince utility and COM
fort with ornament and recreation.
The kitchen garden is an indispensa-
BILE appendage to every rural establish
ment. In its simplest form, tits the
nucleus of all others. Containing small
compartments for the culture of escu-
lent vegetables, fruits and ornamental
plants.
The most valuable and interesting
branches of gardening TO the citizens
of the United States generally are, of
course, those which included the Gull
ture Of esculent vegetables, fruits, and
ornamental plants ID U
These may be enjoyed, in various de-
grees-by all the cultivators of the soil.
1t is only necessary that information
should be disseminated, and examples
presented by the more Intelligent and
opulent. sr ha7a sraaa satea,ae
In England, the eye is continually
struckwith cottages uncovered amidst
fruit trees, shrubs, and flowers. In
Germany, Holland and Italy, tits the
general attention which all ranks be-
stow upon the grounds surrounding
their habitations, that gives such a
pleasing aspect to those countries.
But little attention has been paid in
the United States to, the planting Of
forest trees, ornamental shrubs and
flowers. -iAtAf f LsilI VI sA -
AGRICULTURE claims attention; not
merely for the purpose of rural embel-
lishment, but to replace the valuable
timber fast disappearing throughout
this country.
In all ages and countriesrg flowers
have been universally cherishea e. w no
does not love flowers? They embellish
our gardens. They give a more bril-
liant lustre to our festivals! They are
the Interpreters to our affections. They
are the testimonials of our gratitudes.
Happy are those who love and cultivate
them. III ~
Come, then, you who craze for idea
food-you who can find share or liv-
ing in the cultivation of your localities
and in the qualification Of, the sense Of
sight and smell, Lfor both the eyes and
nose require food alike nth tongue and
ston,ach.) Come and with the thought
that your time,is well spent, cultivate
the little patch of ground In frontof
your house. Let it not be covered with
ashes and chips of wood any longsn--
clear away this useless Rubbish which
does no one any good, and IN its stead
plant some. Ornamental tree or sh rub !;
some sweet pertaining flower. i In: do
ing SO, you obtain mot only the enjoy
ment the sight of them affords you,
butraise your, character in the estima-
tidnsof allof your friends and acquain-
tances Surrounding you. w., .H.s,isl
Elihu Burritt,says: 1.-THE Garden is
hesind volume of 5agricultural life
written fnpoetry. n In it the man and