The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-07-09
Ghq Sarmer.
Money Value of Rural Adornments.

money Valu6 OF mural AuOIHmeutS'
There is, of course, dividing line
somewhere between the beautiful and the
useful, but it is not at the point where a
good many careless persons place it. A
well-to-do farmer, whose grounds are un-
kept, who thinks it "nousensieap' to plant
shade trees, evergreens or hedges, because
there is ''no money in them, is generally
very much mistaken, in spite even Of sue
cess in raising corn and potatoes. The
adornments of place may be neglected,
and yet the farm be made fairly produc-
tive. If the grounds are dismal, forlorn
or seedy, "Who cares ?" says the owner,
II haven't time to attend to it. 1t is
good enough for me, and nobody else need
worry about it.
Now, that is true in a certain narrow
sense only. IF man really don't care
how his surroundings look, and wouldn't
enjoy rural embellishments any better than
a shabby homestead, while he is to be
pitied, the reasons are at best only per-
sonal. His wife and children might enjoy
their home much better if he would only
lead in or permit some cheap improve
ments Nicely graded walks, with straight
edges instead of narrow footpaths, would
not cost much; the children could keep
them clear of weeds by little work at odd
times, if invited (rather than ordered to
do so, and their pride awakened by show
ing them the difference between a clean,
well-kept walk and a shabby one. An
old tumble-down fence might be reorgan-
lied by supplanting it by hedge of ever
green or thorn which would cost little, and
be both useful aud beautiful. Shade trees,
nut or fruit trees, with some evergreens,
would make the homestead appear like
new place. Few farmers can tell till they
try how much new interest to ones home
such change would impart a chiid's
love for tasteful surroundings is often de-
veloped at very early age; wifes, long
over-worked, may have been dormant
many years, aud yet be called out, cultiva-
ted and enjoyed even IN middle life or old
age: while the farmer himself, though
reared in poverty, and gaining all that he
owns by hard. persistent work and self
denial from childhood up, without ever an
educating hint in the direction Of rural
taste, may find even late in life that BY
trying merely to please others in this mat
ter he is doing a good deal to please himself,
and Increase his pride and pleasure in his
home. A new pleasure, when it is limo
cent and elevating, should always be Gu
couraged.
When a farmer of the neglectful sort
rides along the highway, and in passing
Mr.. Jones place hears his wife, or son, or
daughter, or all together, say, 'What
pretty place Mr.. Jones has; it is always so
neat. and the shade trees are so lovely,
or II do think that Mr. Jones place is too
nice for anything" be ought to heed
such remarks. 1t tells him that Mr..
Jones has attractions about bis home that
are unusual in that neighboFhoOdi also
that if Mr.. J. should offer his place for
sale it would, other things being equal.
brins much better price than his own.
That il practice argument But IT be
lthe neglectfnl man says, 81 don't intend
20 sell, or HThat makes no difference,
be forgets that perhaps his place may be
sold much sooner than be expects. lie
may be doing well financially, but he may
die suddenly; moderate mortgage may
cucumber the farm, or il not, no one mem-
Der of the family may be able to buy It
alone, aud then it viii pass out OF the fam
lis. Bet If the owner during his lifetime
sill make il attractive to the eye, as well
as productive, be win give il an additional
money value, and will benefit bis beirs when
be comes to lay his head. These embel-
lishments Of grassy lawns, graded Eaiks or
driyeRays, hedges, shade trees, evergreens
and towering shrubs cost bat trite com
pared with their value in enjoyment and
the cash value they add to the farm when
put up for sale. The necessary work can
generally be done at odd times, while the
cash outlay for trees and plants is very
light indeed, if bought when small and
tiea homegrown for a few years in nur-
sery rows. Often, too, the farm wood lot
viii furnish most that is needed. If il
will, it is very foolish mistake to discard
native forest trees because they are com
mo0.' The maple, the beach, the hem
lock, the white pine or even the faWtiiaT
red cedar, are never 80 common as to lose
the quality of adorament abont a country,
o. even city home. Indeed, the red
cedar, transplanted when small and then
sheared annually, so that the limbs branch
down to the earth, is a beautiful tree for
the lawn | know it for have itgrowiog
Sn this way Friends from other parts
hardly kn0E It, or can believe that it is
only the red esdaE Of the Hudson River
Valley. The same IS true of the white
pine and the hemloek; It is difEcElt 20 6nd
10 the whole range Of ornamental trees
anything to surpass these two common"
trees when well grown; but that does not
aaean that they should be trimmed from
the ground up ike deciduous trees. In
an evergreen that is simply monstrosity
The evergreens are for ornament alone,
not for shade Their ornament consists
IN their bright, gorgeous l,ass Of green,
particularly in winter, when ether trees
are bare, and if we trim them up, leaving
4 tuft at the top, We mainly destroy their
very purpose.
Rural grounds, well planted and cared
for. indicate taste and intelligence, and
benefit not only the owner and his family,
but the neighborhood. Like a popular
park or public garden, a residence near
such grounds is always desirable. Prop
erty is worth more, beeause the exhibition
of taste and beauty is free. Besides, ex
amples of this sort are valuable as sauca-
tons. Adjacent owners are shown how
they can improve their own grounds. At
teufion is called to the matter again and
again, and every item Of praise incites to
eo and do likewise, and to break in upon
and to break down the old, time-worn,
moss-grown style of cherries neglect
which so many farmers tolerate from force
Of eustom.-Nelo York Observer.
Argument Against the Blind Bride.