Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-06-19
Dangerous DOOr-Yards.

SOME one has said that neglect was the
one great curse Of our country homes. and
when we contemplate the surroundings of
many farm-houses, we cannot contradict
this statement
just look into nelghbor BIS backward
see the chunks and logs of wood which
lie here and there, and the decaying chips
and sawdust, relics of the winters wood
pie tor many year, which have entirely
destroyed the grass; but ugly weeds, plant
aims, dock and ''beggars' lice" have thrust
up their coarse leaves and bury seeds
through all the rubbish Then see the rusty
old IRON hoops and tin pans, pals and the
IKE, which are scattered everywhere. Per
haps we find the ground soaked with the
Kitchen Stops which have been thrown
out this many day, and vegetable par
ings, egg-shells, etc, littering up the yard,
Whlle here and there are little spots where
the water stands until it becomes horrid
10 the nostrils. When we mount the
doorsteps, we find them half rotted away.
Jagged, and unsafe for children's feet.
Then enter the house, and look at the
"oman's pale cheeks and lack -1ustre ewes.
ana hear the cough, which she ATTEMPTS
70 suppress, as she greets our entrance.
Disease has entered before us-perhaps
t.,
the fairest Of the flock-the lamb of the
greatest promise The aff1iction is ascrib-
ed to ''dispensation of Providence"-in-
stead OF dispensation of ignorance.
Surely 1t is enough to give one diphtheria
only to look at such places, and they are
also excellent nurseries for typhoid fever,
spotted fever, and that terrible Asiatic
plague, cholera. This last disease is said
10 be marching westward, slowly but sure
~ Born in the rice fields of Asia, it con
lnues It's deadly work even throughout
this continent. 1t was looked for last sea-
son, and is feared for this. Therefore il
Dehooves all OF us to clean up our prem
Uses more carefully than ever-to rake I'D
the chips and sawdust in our backwards
and deposit the rubbish in the manure
heaps, where they will be of some use. and
repay us for our labors.
1t stands us in hand to gather up all the
bits OF old iron which are useful on the
forge OF the blacksmith, and to throw
away, far out Of sight, all the battered,
bruised and useless old tin pals, pans and
basins, and pick up the old boots and
shoes, and bury them under the grape
vines or the raspberry bushes
Make bonfire of all the worthless bar
rel hoops, slaves and rubbish which have
accumulated in the farther corner of the
yard: Overhaul every part of the yard
ana barn, and dispose ofeverything which
cumbers the ground, and is worse than
useless, because its decay may produce
mephitic eXhalatiOns which will poison
the very air you breathe, and perhaps
stretch you upon your couch, racked with
ceaseless pains, and wasted with foul dis
ease. 1t will surely pay you to give some
little attention to the appearance Of things
Immediately about your house. Has it
ever entered into your mind how bare are
its surroundings; and how much more at
tractive, pleasant and hOmelike it would
appear if you would expend little more
thought and labor upon them? Your
neighbor A. has planted vines to run over
his side porch, and his kitchen piazza
You do not possess either a porch or
piazza; yet a little money and labor would
procure them both for YOU, and YOUR
daughters would gladly plant the vines
and tend them. 1t does seem strange that
men who are good farmers-who plant
and raise fine crops-keep a good horse
perhaps two-are proud of their fine stock,
and make the farm pay well-can be con-
tent with such untidy surroundings-ca
allow their back-yards to become such I'M
inviting, and even most foul places.
When, however, such farmers desire to
sell their farms, they discover their mis-
take; then they learn that a neat and
beautiful setting is most desirable rec
ommendation in disposing of homestead
They have forgotten ali this while occu-
pied with their labors; but are forcibly re-
minded of it, if circumstances force them
to find a customer for it..
Friends, remember that if a little of
your time and labor-yes, even money-is
given to increase the beautiful, they are
not expended in vain. Plant an orchard ::
set out an abundance of small fruits; cul-
tivate kitchen garden; make a flower
garden and fence in d neat lawn-while
you also attend to the surroundings of the
back yards and barns-and you will find
them more profitable investments than
bonds and mortgages; for if their divi-
dends are not paid in gold, they are paya-
BILE in health, comfort and pleasure, which
will profit man far more than boarded
wealth.
Don't forget the beautiful with the use
full, but combine Them SO that one will
lend added grace to the other.-"Daisy
Eyebr9ght," IN Country Gentleman.
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