Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-04-24
Yns GARDEN BEAUTIFUL.


keep H." Il vas the first task imposed
upon mankind. Its vegetation WAS de-
nominated ~ 'every tree that is pless.
ant to the sight, and good for food.
The task Was made pleasant aud profit
able. ~ river went out Of Eden to
water the garden" Irrigation MAS thus
the first means of promoting plant
growth. The fertilirlng element Was
also undoubtedly obtained from the
river, az is usual with eastern rivers
TODAY. There was supplied the plant
life, the moisture and the fertilizer; but
msn must work to produce results.
The gardens of history and romance
we're beauty-spots upon earth's face
green oases In outlying deserts of hor-
tieultural neglect. They we're located
In aud out Of city ~alis-the forethought
and afterthought of kings-and contain
ed "e,ery tree that IL pleasant To the
sight and good for food" The thought
Was beauty rather than utility. To
please his northern-brcd wife Amyitis,
NebuchAdnexrar builded the hanging
gardens Of Babylon-the marvel Of the
age aud the wonder Of the ages.
Oriental life, then as nov, found its
solace aud comforts amidst its gardens.
The poetry of Oriental literature is the
poetry Of the garden. The heaven of
the Mussulman IL To be forever idiing
amidst the delights and enchantments OF
perfumed flowers, cooling fountains, aud
the song Of birds In Mohammeds
garden. Early Egyptian kings CON-
structed large reservoirs, aud through
a al. m a a
fragrant flowers made green and delight.
some the Interior of those walled aud
shaded courts called gardens.
Outside Rcme's gates, aud on the sun
nv slopes of her seven hills the King, the
emperor, the consul. the patrician and
IN. poet lived, labored, loltercd and low
al amidst the music of falling waters
and the perfume ~ flowers.
PiIarro found the mountain sides ot
Peru covered with terracej gardens.
They supplied the poetry aud the sub.
stantial comforts TO the enterprising and
busy life of the incas.
The Moors of Grcnads, with their
Oriental love for the beautiful, feat
ure so largely denied tbem amidst the
ausiere aud desOlate surroundings OF
their ancestry. made the valleys OF
.outhern spain To blossom Ike the rose,
and dotted the wide and fertile plains
with gardens Of rare beauty aud lowell
ness.
In later centuries city governments
have planted parks that the people
might have glimpses Of trees, nowcrs
aud cool waters; might breathe the
health-g giving air distilled from plant
life, aud soften the sterper 81 'e of their
lives through contact With the soothing
hand aud voice of lovely nature.
What the cities have done Tor their
people each owner of country home
can DO for himself. Prom the earliest
time down to the prrsent u IL work
coutinuou. and untiring-that gives the
beautiful garden. And yet, no labor
spent on farm gives greater satisfac-
tion. II Was the outcome of diligent,
careful and intensive work that pro
duc-i effects which those of yesterday
saw la Eastern lands, ani we of to-day
see In city parks and suburban resi-
denees. our gardens may also b. beau
tiful With their plants aud shrubs, their
vines and ~ell-pruned trees, their rows
of splendid fruits and wholesome Nege-
tables.
Ther, 1. beauty la every well-ordered.
natural growth, whether IL be of tree or
shrub. or vine or vegetable. There "
nothing morv lovely ~ see and To walk
In than . beautiful garden. There is
nothing on the farm more profitable,
NOR. heslthful. more economical, more
certain Of giving return Tor labor, when
msn rcccgulse. that his need Is Ito
dress IL aud Ia keep It,
That dear spot called the garden, be
II large or small, should lie the most
beautiful aud enchanting of all about
home. IL should not be- separate from
the lawn. but a part Of u. The beaut-
ful aud the Useful (which IL slways
beautifully should commingle, aud the
SCENT of the roe. ard the mignonetie,
the green of the iir aud the box. should
l.. one With the fragrance aud serdure
of the tree. the bush, the vine aud the
vegetable that give us health and lives
capable 81 enjoyment.
Ecopomy of space without cro~ding !
clean, Vide paths and well-trimned
bori.rs; q fountain With water every
~here aud In abundance u feasible; q
rustic seat here and there, where may be
had A nooniide sie-ts, or an evening hour
Of unthlnkibg rest-sll these add 10 the
a,traetl,.nes., and make even the small
est garden q central idea and . grateful
Imsg, iu all thoughts aud memories of
home.-Coubtry Gentleman.