Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-10

RURAL EMBELLISHMENTS.

"A taSle LOT the DeauC1Iul SnOulu always De
associated with taste for the useful. 1t
often happens with farmers that piece Of
work may be left so as to be attractive to
all who see it, and yet cost no more than it
would standing as a deformity of the land
scape. But if ii costs something, the
beautiful should be one aim of the farmer
in many of his operations. He values 1t
in his oxen and cows, and especially in his
horses. He takes pride in the lawn-like
appearance of his moving gorunds, in the
exact lines of cornfelds and stone walls,
and the burrows turned up to the sun and
air.
Some farmers see all this with glow
of satisfaction, and yet live in the midst of
disorder and decay. In his symmetrical
animals he discerns money return for the
beautiful, and when that glittering bauble
is not promised, the beauty vanishes and
there is no use in it! The taste has not
been educated to cherish what is consid-
cred beautiful only in few things. 1t
sees beauty and order only in those matters
which minister to pecuniary grain. In the
fine symmetry and action of horse, it
| seems to realize future bonds. or shares in
banks or railroad stocks. But the most
beautiful rose that ever bloomed, or grace
fnl woodbine which creeps over rocks and
mounts trees to bring its scarlet berries to
the sun, never kindled in him the emotions
that were awakened by the prospect of an
advantageous sale of n beautiful horse.
God gave all the flowers and all plants
great variety of form and color. They
might just as well, for aught we can see.
be just alike in shape, so far as mere SUBJ
sistence goes. But he saw fit to make his
works beautiful as well as benefcent.
I,x, Ix, g., ,ol~
their homes and neigborhoods more at
tractive
1t is cheap and easy so to embellish our
homes as to give them an air of taste and
thrift and render them attractive. If the
house has no paint it may have grape
vine or climbing rose over the porch or
window. If some panes OF glass are
patched, the defect may be screened by a
blooming heliotrope, fuchia or verbena, in
an earthern pot upon the window-sill or
hung before the offending defect. Ifthere
is no gravel walk to the door, there may
be rose bush or Towering shrub by the
side of the cartpath to the house. so that
the muddy or dusty way may be unnoticed
in the contemplation of the beautiful
flower or shrub.
Indeed, it is not the possession of mon
ey or much leisure that will render a
farmers home attractive but that general
appearance of order, good taste, and
economy which must pervade everything
His fences must be whole and not reeling;
his door-yards clean; sink spouts or other
offensive objects screened by groups of
white pine, and here and there cheerful
elm or majestic maple, standing like
guardian angels, with outstretched wings,
to protect from summer heats or winter
blasts.
Any person who can manage farm has
all the requisite skill to beautify it as far
as our proposition goes. He will not con-
fess that he does not know how to trans
plant shrub, a vine or tree. Hundreds
will say they have not the time! Is this
SO In our judgment every person has the
time-farmer, mechanic, judge or minis
ter. Few farmers say they have not time
to attend an auction, where the cast off
trumpery of several generations is to be
sold; or to bring home wagon-load of
rubbish to increase that already about the
doors. or torment the women by adding it
to the stock already deposited in the gar
ret.
The pleasure of making our homes at
pleasure is too valuable to be gratified
lavishly. A little should be done and well
done each year, and whatever is COM
menced be carefully attended to. The
autumn of the year affords an excellent
time to make a beginning. Suppose such
had been the practice of all the farmers
of the town in which YOU live, for forty
years past, would not the town now pre-
sent more rural attractions than any other
in New England
The first step to take is. utterly abandon
the old maxim, that
'sMoney makes the mare 60"
and learn the higher and nobler truth, that
'The beautiful makes the soul grow"
But it acquisition of money is the prime
object, that accumulation will be increas-
ed as the real beauty OF the farm is in
creased; for profitable crops come from
high culture, and high culture makes the
earth blossom and become beautiful.
If circumstances require sale OF the
farm, that which is most attractive in its
general features will usually command
more money than one in slovenly condi-
tion, although producing excellent crops.
The scenes ofearly life are usually deep
ly impressed upon the mind. If agreea-
Bile and attractive, they were the nursery
of patriotism that never dies; and so
the beautiful pleases the eye, cultiyates
the affections, increases our wealth and
makes us lovers and defenders Of our