The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1884-07-02
Pleasant Homes.
~ j. ". SPEELMAN.

The time for tree and fruit planting
has come and gone once more, and how
many Of the readers Of the Northwestern
Farmer have improved the season as
they should? 1t is to be hoped that
the number is "leciOn."
There is one thought that ought to he
impressed most forcibly on the mind Of
every one that intends to grow fruit for
pleasure or profit, viz: year lost in
cultivation of fruit "r the growing Of
trees. is lost forever and can never be
regaine.l. How often We are met with
this excuse for not planting frlit, II
don't know Just where want to plant;
] have not got my place in the shape ]
want it,"
This pr0crastlnatInn is what has ruin
ed many good canse. This reason first
appears very plausible, but will it stand
investigation? LIT us see what there is
in it, and try and find some remedy: for
think this is matter that needs more
than passing notice. There are thou
sands of men to-day trying to make
homes in the great Northwest. Did l
say homes? Yes, they call them homes,
that will give this very reason. Men
who have come from eastern states where
fathers place" was made pleasant by it's
magnificent orchard, garden Of small
fruits and splendid grove Of shade trees,
most of which were grown within their
recollection. These same men, coming
to better country, wher. it is not half
the work to open a farm, will-ves, as a
rule do-cut off the very part Of the i'm
provement of their homes that made the
home of the "dear old folks" so attrac-
tive. 1t ought to be one Of the very first
subjects to be considered by any one
commencing to make home in the west
especially on the treeless plains.
Where shall | have my grove and Or
chards? How much Of my means and
time can spare for the improvement of
the same? Whv? First, it is netes-
sity. Second, 1t takes time to grow trees
and / cannot afford to wait. Third, 1t
beauties and makes my home attractive
thereby enhancing the value of the same.
Fourth, fruit is necessary for the health
of my family, and can raise it. better
than can buy it.
Any soil that will grow a crop of grain
will grow fruit, especially small fruits.
What would you think of farmer that
would break his ground and cultivate
the same for several wears before he
would plant a crop? Well might you
say it is waste Of time and iabor-but
did YOU eyer think the same is true in
growing fruits? A thorough cultivation
Of the soil for one year is all that is
neccss ry for the growing Of fruits. If
the land is broken in June and backset
in the fall, then repowed deep the iol-
lowing spring and thoroughly pulverised
YOU are ready to commence.
Some nf the best orchards in the west
dIV os7ut"S '''I"' ss'es"
were planted on land that was cultivated
| in tins manner fine house can be
hnlt in few days, but it will take years
Of constant care to grow an orchard.
Here is where so many fail. They have
not the patience to plan, and wait for
the results Therefore they put of the
beginning until they have lost 50 much
valuable time.
Notice the contrast between the resi-
dence of the man that builds a small hut
comfortable house, and takes part of his
means and time for growing trees and
i Towering shrubs and fruit that, will
beautity and enhance the value Of his
/ land, that will he benefit for his family
and protection tn his animals from the
scorching midday sun, or the winds and
blasts, and the man that places all of his
means in a fine house and don't try or
care to beautify his home with trees and
fruit. In few years which place will
be worth the most !? Which place will
sell :he quickest? Which place will the
passer-by speak Of as being the most at
| tractive? Surely the one that has trees
and fruit.
/ Why, the very birds won't stay at a
place where there is a fine house but no
trees, where the man that has the hum
BILE home until he is able to erect a bet
ter one, is cheered with the music of the
feathered warblers; and this is the place
=, that in after years our children will
speak of as the grand old homestead
with it's harvests of golden fruit and it's
beautiful shade trees. The associations
that cluster around such home will
always bring pleasant thoughts in after
wears. "How dear to the heart are the
scenes" Of such childhood. Men, par
ents who are making homes in the west,
which kind of home do you want? 1t
is for vou to say; you can have either.
And as our home is SO will our associa-
tions be to great extent.
We copy the above from the North
western Farmer, published at Fargo, Da-
kota. The remarks will apply well to
Montana, and we suggest thoughtful
consideration of the same.-(Ed.