Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-11-23
The Farmers Home.


which more deserves to enjoy large share OF
true happiness than the agricultural class and
none who should have pleasant hemes and en-
ioymspts to the fullest measure. Aud there
is no other calling which possesses So broad a
sphere and so many resource; for true happi-
ness as farmers. First, their business Is most
prometive of health and vigorous life,
and they are essential elements to happiness.
Second, they are more independent Of others,
in their sphere of operations; and always have
at their hands the best and freshest food and
fruits. Third, they have fewer disturbing
carkins cares, with more serenity and certain
ty Of life aud prosperity; and many more ad-
vautsges peculiar to the farmer might be
named, but the above are sufficient; and there
are less temptations to vice.
The chief object of this article is to point
out ssme Of the sure means Of making the
farm home attractive, and its occupants happy
and contented, to large extent, 50 that they
will be pleased to remain at it; aud so that
the growing up youth will not be SO gen
orally disposed to leave hsne.
First, external adorpments, such as lawns,
shrubbery, flowers, and some taste in selecting :
the location for buildings, aud the style OF
constructing them Sc that the eye will rest
pleasantly on the scene, so that the better taste
of the mind will bs enlisted with satisfaction,
and the Ingenuity will be engaged with delight,
securing all. Exercising the tastes and sys-
tenn Of landscape effects in farm home, need
not, in the least, increase the cost Of farm
labor nor diminish its effectiveness while it
will enlarge the higher order of onjoyments,
and really enhance the value Of property and
render it more salsabs. Shade trees, green
lawns. flowers aud nice fences around the hsme,
will always arrest attention Of persons Of taste
and intelligence aud excite their admiration,
SO that they would be more willing to buy at
liberal price; while the owner and his family
will be more happy aud have more pride and
true self-respect for their position than if the
place se bleak aud bare, without a shrub 9r
flower; a sand or clay bank, with rckety
fslcs, aud the additional ornament OF pig
pen near the gate or door, as Is often the case /;
a scene altogether, which excites the rldlcule
and scorn Of the passsr-by or visitor and be
the land ever SO good, and tho location fine,
persons of taste will 20 further before pur-
chasing.
Second, above have particularly had nay
mind on the natural shade trees which should
be left when clearing off the hOMs site. To
that will add that some variety of ornamental
trees aud shrubbery should be set out early, to
be growing. If reasonably and thoughtiuly
attended to, the cost will be small compared to
the benefit aud as it takes time for these
things to grow, they cannot Se too soon trans
planted at the home grounds. La this connsc-
ton the orchard and small fruit bushes are not
ts be forgotten as an auxiliary to happiness,
and help much to make up the sum total, in
which all the members may share aud take
pride.
Third, making everything convenient and
comfortable inside. Not expensive, but neat
aud ropriate-pictures, books, papers, lit
tie ornainsuts-not gaudy carpets, curtains aud
furniture, but such little things of nature and
art as please and cultivate the love for the pure
and beautiful particularly such as will be
Joyous and delightful to the wives and daugh-
tiers, who are necessarily required to remain
confined more at home than the fathers and
brothers, and consequently they SHOULD have
their surroundings made as pleasant and at
tractiv, for their enjoyment as possible, - re-
lievs their monotony aud give them variety in
the midst Of their daily and irksome routine
duties. Thsr homes should be made happy.
Fourth, papers and books Of right and
varied character, embracing scientific subjects,
shonld occupy considerable aud prominent
place in means Of home and happiness and at
traction for both old and young. A tenth part
the expense paid for books and papers, that is
usually paid to decorate parlor with costly
furniture, would afford vastly mere and higher
enjoyments to all the members, aud result in
more pccuniary as well as mental bensfit.
Proper and elevated employment of the
mind and its various faculties, are what afford
delight Reading aud thinking and studying
as to the best way CT doing any branch Of
business, reduces the drudgery aud cOnfers in-
tslectual charm to every cupation-mind d
enables muscle.
Fifth, suitable amussments, games, festivi-
ties, sociabities. where all can be happy, help
to make home attractive.
II