Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-11-22

THE INFLUENCE OF APPEARANCES on Tnr VALUE
OF AN ESTATE.
NUMBER sEyRS.

NUMBER sEyEN.
THE INFLUENCE OF APPEARANCES on Tnr VALUE
OF AN ESTATE
10 closing what have to say on the subject
of farming, will especially notice the i'm
portance Of keeping up the farm in trim
and attractive condition On many farms the
wide hedge.rows that cover walls and other
fences, and encroach upon the margins Of
fields, not only certify to the soyenly condi
ton of the farm, but occupy the best and
most productive of the land. Such a hedge
in the distance of hundred rods, may occupy
land that, if trimmed up, would produce from
six to twelve hundred hills Of corn; or, with
four ears from a hill, would grow from two TO
five thousand ears. This margin land may
have been rocuperated by this brushvood
growth but, unless it is cleared away when
will this benefit be available ? Neat, but not
expensive fences, either Of stone or wood, and
constructed to occupy no more land than is
necessary, are both useful and ornamental on
the farm. What is known as the Virginia
rail fence is an indication Of lack of econo-
my and taste in the farmer who builds or
tolerates it, Wire fences have, to consider
bic extent, been introduced; but they are
found Objectionable in that they are invisible
to cattle and horses at a little distance, and
horses under any excitement are apt to run
against them and cut themselves If wooden
posts, and top and bottom rails were used,
wire might be wove on to them with economy
as timber grows scarcer Hedge fences aud
bitches are only resorted to where other ma
terials are not available. From considerations
of the land wasted and the constant care they
require to make and keep them in order, they
are not economical.
Another matter affecting the appearance Of
farm, is that Of swamp lands, susceptible
of drainage If left undrained, wild grass
and weeds will occupy the land where heavy
crops of Redtop" and other cultivated
grasses might be produced, to say nothing Of
field crops which grow abundanty in lands
so reclaimed by thorough drainage
But in what have said in respect to clear
ing up corners and margins of fields do
not design to sanction the wanton destruction
Of handsome, thrifty shade trees, in pasture
or moving lands, or along the highway, or by
the borders of fields. 1t is well known, as a
philosophical fact, that lands denuded of trees
become subject to injury by drought and
where a widely extended region is bare Of
trees, summer rains are rarely enjoyed, and
crops are doubtful or impossible. If one.
half Of the African deserts could be covered
with trees, the other half would soon cease
tation that would be produced by the fire.
quent rains realized in all st-producing
countries, But trees ON farms and planta-
tons should be so located and trimmed up
that they would appear as the result of de-
sign to preserve them for their utility in
shading farm stock from the heats Of summer,
and their climatic influence on the state of the
atmosphere, as well as ornaments of the
estate. There is a moral influence in trees
that should forbid their wanton destruction.
They are SO associated with the genuine poe.
try of life that thought and sentiment fade
out to desolation and sadness where trees no
longer crown the hills.
This onerequest my heart has made for me,
That when Pm tossed about as long as may be,
10 sleep beneath my ahildhoods hvorte tree,
Whose branches used TO he 30 thick and shady
The gnarled old oak on the forest border
is as precious chronicle of by gone days
As the rural poet has sung
"woodmAnspare tina, tree"
so we would respond, and plead for the pres.
ervation of monuments that have in some in.
stances survived thousand years.
But in these suggestions had designed
only to treat Of economies in farming and
while trees properly located contribute to the
beauty as well as the productiveness of the
estate, they add to its value mot only intrin-
sically but with respect to the price the
estate will command on sale. Whoever
looks on a neatlylcultivated estate, comes to the
natural conclusion that it affords generous
profit, to pay the proprietor for such careful at.
tention and culture. Besides, he rightly con.
cludes that intelligent husbandry has brought
the farm TO its best state of development aud
production.
Ii one is seeking a rural home, he would
sooner locate on such farm, aud pay a high
er price, than on one requiring heavy out
lay to reclaim it from a wild and degenerate
condition.
There are other points Of interest connect.
ed with farming, to which | might direct the
attention Of your readers, but from the pres
sure Of other duties, and having filled up the
outline prescribed in these articles must
take leave of the subject, and for time, Of
your readers.
JONI NJ. SrEARss.
1t Is said that il tree is felled while
in leaf, and allowed to lie until the foliage