Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-25
NO. 1876.
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HORTICULTURE FOR THE PEOPLE.

feel desirous on this occasion to urge
the truth that an intelligent attention to
horticulture will enable any man. who
owns square rod of land, to provide
more of domestic comfort, and to gather
around his home more of real, substantial
attraction, than by an equal amount of la
Dor and expenditure in any other way.
have seen men build for themselves
dwellings costing from $4,000 to $1O,OO
or more, who seemed wholly unaware of
the almost infinite amount of attraction
which might be added by ornamental
planting. and by the cultivation of the
yearly circle of fruits. A neighbor built
a handsome brick mansion which would
now cost $4,000. He then went to a
nelghboring nursery, and, by great
stretch of liberality, as he thought. ex-
pended in ornamental trees and shrubs
the huge sum Of s., currency. He had
been taught, or had taught himself, 10 be-
ileve that it was waste of funds to buv
trees that were merely "good to look at"
although he had put several thousand dol
lars in piles of brick and stucco, for no
other purpose whatever than show, for his
house would have been really more con-
venient and comfortable if he had reduced
It's size and pretensions. and made it cost
at least $4,000 less. A twentieth part of
the amount thus saved would have given
him valuable fruit garden. and have in
vested his dwelling with a paradise of rich
foliage, and with the bloom and perfume
of flowers. The truth was, he had never
read horticultural book or journal, nor
cultivated the dormant taste, often smoth-
cred down and undeveloped, which nat
urally exists in the bosom of nearly every
human being. l say nearly every one,
for there seem to be few in whom, from
some deficient chronological develop
ment, or from some other cause, a refined
taste for these beauties of nature seems 10
be totally extinct-and such should claim
our sympathy for this natural deprivation.
In the case have mentioned, the taste Of
the owner of the elegant brick mansion, if
he had possessed it, seemed hidden far
under ponderous heap of greenbacks,
bonds and mortgages, which he had
worked thirty years to accumulate. have
had occasion to contrast this bleak and
stately mansion with some neat and small
dwellings erected at a tenth the expense,
surrounded with all the attractions Of soft
masses of green foliage and clustering
flowers.
Lord Bacon never said truer thing
than when he asserted that nations. in their
onward progress in civilization began
with erecting stately edfices. and ended
with highly cultivated gardens. Some
twenty years ago made tour through
sme of the Western States, and drove
through towns and cities and their su-
burbs, to see the well-kept and finished
gardens and grounds. But was disap-
pointed. The gorgeous palaces were not
wanting, but the surroundings were
rough. bare, or unpublished. But these
things are Of the past; brighter era of
refined horticulture has dawned. Civili-
cation, according to Lord Bacon's critic
rion. is advancing; and the substantial
charms and refining influences of the gar
den are becoming widely and rapidly diff
fused.
Every man in this country has these de-
lights and advantages within his reach.
n. 7. Willis very justly observed that
mature lets the tree grow and the flower
expand for man, without reference to his
account at the bank" Every man in
health in this country can have land
enough and means enough to exercise his
skill in cultivation. We too often fall in
to the error of thinking that one must be
positively wealthy in order to enjoy we'll
planted and well-kept home. Every per-
son may have a comfortable competence
as he advances in years. Suppose that
young man at 21 begins merely as a day
laborer. If he can lay up only 500 year
ly, and add interest to interest at Z per
cent, he will in 40 years, or at the age of
I'll, have accumulated no less than S2O,-
600. Many, however, will easily lay aside
5000 year, in which case they would
have, at 81 years, $4,000. There are
sumo leaks which a prudent man will stop
and thus add to the accumulations. Sup.
pose, for example, he is willing to forego
the use of tobacco, which may happen to
cost him but $40 yearly-this saving alone
will amount to $4,000 in his lifetime of 40
years. These facts show that every in
dustrious person may, at least, secure for
himself pleasant and comfortable home.
Ii mechanic, he can purchase q small
lot OF land; if a farmer, a few acres will
suffice to gather around his home all that
may be desired of fine fruit and blooming
ornamentalS.
Each country resident, and, indeed, the
the town inhabitant if he only has few
square rods to cultivate. may have an in
eXhaustible fund for enjoyment. l once
counted, in the contracted inclosure of a
friend who lived in the thick portion OF
New York City, no less than forty species
of ornamental plants, besides his currauts,
raspberries and grapes and in still more
contracted space, in Chestnut street, Phil
adelphia, the residence of the of the late
DR.. Brinckle, was collected that remark
able museum of growing fruits of new va
rieties, which he originated there, and
which has rendered his name so well
known throughout the Union. But the
country resident has greater opportunities
and u much wider field for observation,
and can witness all that is beautiful. and
may enjoy the grandeur and glory which
the works OF creation opened before him.
IL is too common for men to devote their
whole time and all their thoughts to the
accumulation of money. Itis great and
common error to suppose that
happiness is earned and intelligence
advanced by a perpetual struggle for
wealth. In this eagerness and error. men
contine themselves to the Office and count
ing-room, every hour of the day, week
after week, year after year, and occupy
their thoughts in the hours of the night
with constant efforts for gain, and shut out
from their vision tha cwoat Sunehsno ,T