The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-10-06
Farmers Flower Gardens.

4 low 4dklAC tSthC hIAQIy "
flower garden. AS rule, they lool
upon the cultivation of flowers as
waste Of time and money, and if there
is any attempt at ornamentation of tn,
grounds about their dwellings by mem
bers of the family, they will discourag,
them directly or indirectly. There ar.
hundreds OF farmers who will spent
almost any amount of money at com
mand for good horse or other animal
just to have something to brag about tt
their neighbors, and then there mus
be something extra in the way of har
ness and buggy to accompany q flint
horse. The same rule holds good wher
it comes to extra fine sheep, or bloodet
cattle, which require. or at least receive
far more attention than common stock
This is all well enough, but the head O
the family is selfish in such matters, and
thinks that what pleases him shoulc
please every member of his household
forgetting that tastes differ, and thai
there is just as much sense in admiring
tending and cultivating poppy or yer
bena as there is in polishing buggy OF
the coat of his favorite horse.
We might name some of the richest
farmers in the richest agricultural re.
gions of this country who provide mag.
nlflcen. barns, stables, sheds and past.
ures for their animals, but at the same
time keep their wives and children IN
mean an uncomfortable houses, with
few conveniences for doing their work
easily and properly. Shade trees are
left or planted in the pasture for their
stock to recline under, but there is not
one near the house, while as for flowers
and ornamental plants, a Whit from
some fragrant old lilac or syringa is
about all the garden perfume which
reaches the inside of thousands of
country homes.
The usual excuse for neglecting to
cultivate flowers is want of time, but if
we watch closely those who offer it, we
ind that they always spare time for
fishing, hunting, or any other pastime
for which they have taste or inclina-
ton. 1t is simply a low, vulgar taste
OF relic OF barbarism that excludes the
flower garden from so many country
homes, and we are further compelled
to say that in majority of instances it
IS the men of the family, and not the
women, who are the barbarians. Go
where we will in the United States. the
flower pots in the window, the vine
over the door or porch, the little bed of
sweet Williams or humble verbena in
the front yard, are almost infallible
signs that there is a woman about, with
taste and love for the beautiful in nat
ure; and, although circumstances may
not be favorable for developing her
ideas in such matters, still the taste
and desire are there, and she is better
woman for entertaining them.
1t is not only cruel, but wicked, fora
man to deprive any member of his fam
lily OF innocent recreation, and we hold
that the flower garden affords it to those
who enjoy the cultivation of plants.
From q mercenary or financial point of
view, beds of handsome flowers NAV
not be paying investment; but If the
farmer is going to look upon all his sur.
roundlnggs and possessions in this LIGHT.
we fear he will be compelled to strike
off . good many articles from his list,
We have known men to have children
that did not pay, in fact were great
source OF annoyance and expense, but
there are few men who would dispense
with them on this account. There ia
something in the appearance of things.
or there would have been more useful
and edible plants created, and fewer or.
namental ones. But it so hap.
pens that there are at least hum
dred OF the latter to one Of the former.
we mean, OF course, plants useful to
man as food or medicine, for all plants
have their uses, and fill place designed
for them in nature.
No one can, with any degree of pro.
priety, plead ignorance as an excuse
for not cultivating few flowers or 9th.
er ornamental plants, for the florists
and nurserymen's catalogues, which ara
free to customers. contain
III the instructions and information nee.
essary to enable any one who can read
% raise plants and trees of all common
kinds; besides, most of these little man.
lals make a note of the best sorts,
naming those best adapted to different
climates and soils. 1t only requires the
Will; the way is open to all, and instead
of farmers homes looking, as far too
many OF them do at the present dav.
lesolate and dreary, they might be
made to assume cheerful appearance
~ merely planting few trees and
shrubs about them, with an occasional
lower bed cut out of the grass plat, |
several OF our lady readers have writ |
en us on this subject, and asked us to |
cold a little, if nothing more, all ad. |
hitting that the neglect of Horticulture |
more than anything else made the homes
II farmers uninviting to the occupants
IS well as to passing strangers. OF
'ourse we do not say that all farmers
re negligent in these matters. but |
While there are some neighborhoods
nd entire counties where handsome
rounds are the rule, there are MANY
more where nothing of the kind is to be
cen. II one or two will commence
loriculture in neighborhood, others
re likely to follow. and little strife
Q see who shall have the best, even
pom small scale, frequently ends in
2 entire change in the appearance Of
'hole town and county, adding greatly
the health and happiness of the peo-
lie. N 7. Sun.
"A correspondent of the Ohio Farm
gives this as his plan for growing