The Democratic advocate., 1890-11-29
Making an Attractive Home.
From the Country Gentleman.


A farmer, whose years have scarcely
reached middle life, and who owns farm
of moderate value, asks for a statement of
the attractions of useful character which
he may connect with his home, which will
make it a real home for his growing chill
dren, and without incurring heavy expense
He proposes to effect his object by plan
ming, planting, and pleasing cultivation, and
indoor allurements.
A proper answer to this request would
fill at least one volume. But we may brief
ly allude to few points. OF the outdoor
attractions, and among the best, are the
clements which constitute a neat, well
managed farm-neat fences, good crops,
absence of weeds, and general success
Young persons have quick eyes, and they
draw ready conclusions, and they at once
appreciate the difference between pleasing
success and slipshod failure Those who
see disorder around them through the year,
and from year to year, will rarely find
pleasure in the business that pervadcs the
premises. On the other hand, neatness
and skill, in connection with the growth of
handsome crops, fruit-bearing orchards,
and few luxuriant shade trees, viii pre-
sent strong attractions. A well-selected,
well-planted, and properly cultivated fruit
garden should be connected with every
country residence. Hardy and productive
varieties, which can be relied on to give
fine fruit throughout the entire year-the
small berries in early summer, followed by
late summer and early autumn stone fruit,
and the abundant throng of the-panv
larger ones 10 autumn, lasting through win
ter and into spring-eonstitut all together
some of the strong charms Of living in the
country.
Among ornamental attractions are the
well kept lawn and shrubs which more i'm
mediately surround the dwelling. While
adding much to the beauty of the place,
they need cost but little The selection of
shrubs may take in those only which are
vigorous and hardy, and which will require
but little care after planting, except an oc-
easiOnal training into proper shape The
hand mower will give the lawn the beauty
of green carpet The cultivation of flow
ers in few circular beds cut in the turf
will depend on the taste and preference of
the occupants. Some young people will
have strong predilection for botany-for
a collection of native plants-and when
ever this is the case, every facility should
be afforded. Many native plants possess
surprising beauty, and have strong attrac-
tions to the mere florist Others will be
drawn to the culture of early bulbs, some
of which will bloom annually year after year
with little or no care, such as the crocus,
snowdrOp, Siberian squill, and early tulips.
All these paintings may be used at small
expense to render country homes attractive,
and by properly grouping all together, the
residence which otherwise might be very
plain home, might be converted into gem
of neatness.
A large opportunity for pleasure and
delight is to be derived from domestic ami
mals-hOrses and cattle among the larger
ones, and those not less interesting to many
persons in the various smaller animals,
chickens and doves, canaries and song birds
generally.
Another point of great Importance is the
cultivation of the sciences and everything
connected with them. Where young peo-
pie are growing up, they should be provided
with a room specially for this purpose,
which might be termed museum or Ii
brary, for books, study, and reading; for
drawing and sketching by those who desire;
for minerals and plants, and specimens in
entomology for young naturalists; for ap-
paratus in chemistry and physics-all of
which would be infinitely better than fire.
quenting vapid parties. There is no diff
Guilty in accomplishing all these, if the
owner himself has IL taste for them, and
the expense will be comparatively trifing.