The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-03-17
affecting gegistrr.
Rural Homes.

The pioneer generally puts up his
first rude dwelling in great haste, In
tending it to remain only few years.
The imperfections Of stick chimneys and
log houses should not be severely criti-
cised, as suitable materials for good
house are often hard to get, and the
means to buy them very limited; but
the owner Of many broad, fertile acres,
if a good manager, soon feels able to
build larger and more permanent resi-
dence. Each member of the family
sets to studying and planning. They
naturally look at all the houses in the
neighborhood and think Of others they
have seen, call in some mechanic OF
their acquaintance and agree upon a
plan which most likely shows very little
originality Of design. 1t may be con-
venient, economical and tasty, but the
chances are otherwise. Certain fashions
prevail in limited portions Of the coun-
try. This is shown in the cornice, pitch
Of the roof, size and shape of the win
dows, materials used, color OF paint,
size and arrangement Of rooms For
example, in Chicago and its suburbs, the
cheaper houses are stuck mp, from two TO
six feet, on cedar posts. The part above
the posts is covered with clapboards.
The part about the posts is surrounded
by upright boards painted Of color
different from the main building. Steps
outside lead to the rooms above. This
STYLE. probably arose from desire to
prevent cottages from appearing too
low; and to get the main floor up from
the wet ground, once so prevalent in
the city. This is still the style, even
where the ground is dry enough for
deep cellar and substantial wall OF
bricks and stones. The common color
of country houses is monotonous-white
with green blinds. The remedy for this
is to give more thought and observation
to rural homes; read the best works
on such subjects and introduce some
thing of the kind into schools and SEM
inaries and colleges. The attempt to
beautify country houses and their sur
roundings is the rule and not the ex-
ception. The point to get at is, to
derive the greatest benefit from the
smallest outlay. Study the effect pro-
duced bv white-washed trees, painted
powders, green stakes, frames and
trellis work Tor sustaining green plants
large upturned stumps in small yards.
Compare in plan and detail. residence
and It's surroundings which pleases
almost everybody, with one of equal or
greater cost which is not so pleasing.
Where lies the failure Of one, where
the success OF the other? \ small
yard may have too many flowers in
it, large one not enough. Trees
and shrubs are the cheapest ornament;
perennial herbs cheaper than ANIMALS.
Many of our native trees and shrubs
are preferable to those from distant
countries. Too often, people think a
tree is not worth place in their yard
that it is not pretty because 1t is abund-
ant IN their own country. \ little
money judiciously expended for cheap
clothing that is well fitted and well
made, will produce better effect than
twice or three times the amount for eX-
pensive clothing not well selected. So
little labor upon house and yard in
just the right place, will produce pleas
ing effect; while greater outlay with
out good judgment, often produces an
i'll effect. The shrewdest men have
since discovered that no money pays a
better interest than that used by skill
ful hands in making home pleasant. If
you wish to sell place it is sure to pay
more than twenty per cent. on the i'll
vestment; If you want it for a perma.
nent home who dare say it pays less ?
More attention to this subject is one OF
the greatest wants OF our thrifty West
ern farmers. W. J. B.