Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-07-24
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
The Rest Acre on the Farm.

The best acre on the farm is the gar
den, and the one that yields the great
est profits when properly managed,
and, withal, the acre we rarely meet.
Almost every farmer has an orchard.
or rather has a regulation number Of
fruit trees planted, but without regard
to selection rs TO variety or 10 their
adaptation 10 the soil or climate in
which they are to grow. As gem
eral thing, our farmers seem to look
upon choice fruit with contempt; they
cannot understand the value in the
family of early. medium and late
fruits of their respective sorts, or that
they are of the slightest Importance in
domestic economy.
Almost every farmer has what he
calls a garden, i'm which may be found
n very small aud equally poor selec-
ton of poorly grown vegetables, and
as rule. an abundance of weeds. But
what a rarity good garden is in con-
ncction with the farm. the proper and
legitimate place for one! The farmer
is the man OF AL men who should have
not only garden, but the best one
possible. He, of all men, cannot af-
ford TO be without Il garden, yet he is
the only man who tills the soil and
says he cannot afford to have one. His
plea is that II in,erfcrcs with his farm
ing operations. which are of greater
importance, when, Is Il matter of fact,
1t should be the most important part
of his work, because il is not only the
most essential to his happiness. but
because il pays the best dividends on
the capital invested. in hoalthful, nu-
tritious and delicious food.
Farmers Houses.
While il is creditablc to every farm
or that he looks well after his farm,
SAYS the Farmer and Manufacturers it is
certainly of the highest Importance
that he have special concern as TO
his farmhouse There is no more
dreary place, assuming the title of
home, than rough, dilapidated tene-
mcnt located on Il farm. lt Is all the
more drcdry II il has nothing within it
inviting to the mind, no grateful cheer
of books, no pleasant furniture and
ncat adornments and lacking sur
roundings of good fences, fine shrub
berry and flowers. a pleasant lawn AMI
appropriate shade trees. Lost, indeed,
To- anything approaching refinement,
must be that mortal who can dwell in
i.ckctv, implanted building. with bars
for a front gate, chickens wallowing
before the the door. pigpens elbowing
the house in the rear, scraggy trees
never cared for, or no trees at
all, no cheering shrubs. no neatness or
trimness. \ plea of poverty is no ex-
cusc; for universal shliticSsncss or i'm
dolence is the cause of such picture.
Farming is hard work at the best;
and where il amounts to- abicct drudg-
cry. with no sunshine indoors, IL is no
wonder the farmers sons and daugh-
tcrs become FESTIVE and long for the
time to come when they can throw of
the shackles of an unsatisfying serv-
itude, and seek other fields of employ
ment where they can en- oy some Of
the privileges they can not enjoy at
home. Do not enrich the soil of the
field by impovcrishing that of the
household.
It is no gaudiness or lavish orna-
ments that are needed. Many home
can he plain. but still lovely. Nature
can aid greatly. II industry is applied
20 use her agencies IL is not waste
10 have her bcstowmcnts. "a thing
of beauty is JOY forever. There need
be no loss TO be tasteful. Nature and
beauty arc synonymous. Good taste
and good economy can therefore be
mado handmaids TO each other.