The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-03-30
Neatness on Farms.

winter meetings of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society, one of the best
and most instructive was that given by
G. NJ Whitaker, on "Asthetics in
Agriculture" His object was to slim
ulate farmers to extend the element Of
neatness to all parts of their domains
10 emphasize some inexpensive things
the neglected trifes which need at
tention in order to improve the appear
ance of the country-to remove the un
just comparisons often drawn between
city and country-to make widening
circuit more attractive for homes for
city people when the problem of rapid
transit and cheap fares is solved. "First
Of ALL" abserves Mr.. w., land chief Of
all, spirit of keeping things picked
up is needed. The real elements of
beauty are not a fine house, paved road.
ways, mathematical gradings, nor any
costly Improvements. They are rather
coziness, simplicity and neatness-hav.
ing place for old carts, refuse lumber
and rubbish generally not in front Of
the house nor near it. Many home
of fine possibilities is hopelessly mared
by the general carelessness about it.
the door yard catch all for old and
new vehicles aud machines, slovenly
wood piles, broken moving machine
few bean-poles, the gridstone, and a
confusion Of unenumerated relics"
The remedy which he proposes is to
keep the tools in their places, sell the
old vehicles, rake up the chips, burn
the rubbish, and pile up the lumber
out of view. A few disorderly boards
or boxes spoil the appearance of ones
whole place. "Order is Beauty's first
law, and neatness is her handmaid,"
but thsy are too often driven away.
A smooth lawn is recommended,
and it is easily kept in handsome order
by the modern hand lawn mowers. A
few minutes each week will do it.
Where the grass is thin little fertil-
izer and scattered seed will restore it.
Why should the professional grass
growers allow the. rich men at Newport
or on the Hudson to surpass them in
rich and even vsrdure?
The work of neatness should also
extend to the roadside. Mr.. W. once
rode past fine house, in front of
which the contents of an old straw bed,
waste paper torn off at house.cleaning
apple-tree limbs, weeds from the gar
den were all thrown over the fence iu-
to the street. Sometimes barn has
been built so near the highway that the
manure heap occupies the roadside.
A neat door.yard, few flowers, a
vine over the door, some shrubbery,
will transform one of these places to
one Of great satisfaction, without much
expenditure Of money. Large returns
may be obtained from small invest
ment. But too much should not be
attempted in the shape-o of elaborate
gardens More should not be COM
menced than can be properly carried
out.
The influence of these improvements
will often extend far beyond the imme-
diate satisfaction which they afford. A
pleasant and attractive home may pre-.
vent the farmers sons from seeking
pleasure in the grog.shop and gambling
hall /; and it may satisfy his daughters
with the delights which may be obtain
ed amid rural scenery. Or, taking a
financial view Of the matter, the owner
who from habit keeps all parts of his
premices in order and neatness, will
be more likely to conduct his business
all through the season, than he who
Is controlled by slip-shod habit.
Some of the papers report that at the
close of the address, Mr.. Faxon men.
toned case when at an expense OF
500 laid out in accordance with its
suggestions, the value of the estate had
been enhanced $4,000.