The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-10-05

land are unsuitable for cultivation be
cause of their smallness, or because in
conveniently situated, are left in this
wild condition, and mar the effect of
an otherwise we'll kept farm or beauti-
full home.
In a recent report on Experimental
Farms" " issued by the Canandian Gov
ernment, W. 7. Macoun, foreman of
forestry, makes many suggestions as to
how these unsightly spots may be
made attractive and productive. Mr.
Macouu says: mo matter how small
the plot OF ground or how situated,
there is no reason why it should be an
eye sore. It is this utilization of every
nook, corner and Granny, and the
making of two blades of grass to grow
where a weed grew before, that has
made rural England so beautiful to the
eye and so pleasing to the &c thetic
sense The agricultural and pastoral
landscapes in England, where the little
farms are green to the very door,
have been described as 'jawel scenery
There seems to be no good reason why
the rural districts of New Jersey, New
York and of other States could not be
made equally attractive and fruitful. !"
Mr. Macoun has utilized all of the
waste places about the Cffiees and
buildings Of the Forestry Department
at Central Experimental Farm. In his
report he thus writes of the improve
ment of these odd corners:
The land ad jacent to the eff e and
other buildings, which has been de-
voted to the cultivation of ornamental
trees and shrubs, looked better this
year than ever before, As the trees
increase in size from year to year, the
landscape becomes more beautiful; the
effects, also, Of the grouping are more
apparent, and show pleasing combina
tions and contrasts of color and form.
A number of the species are also be
ginning to bear freely their white, vel
low, red, scarlet. purple and black
fruits, which still further heighten
the effect. The flower borders and
beds were a mass of bloom from early
in the summer to late in the autumn,
cannas, gladioli and asters being par
ticularly fine. More hedges have been
planted, and some email additional
areas seeded down. The trees and
shrubs planted during the last two
seasons now add very much to the at
tractiveness of this section Of the
| farm"
TIE foreman also calls attenti n to a
large number OF the trees and shrubs
suitable for hedges and ornamental
purposes. He now has hedges of sew
enty five different species. Among the
ornamental trees, Mr.. Macoun men
tions several beautiful varieties from
Japan and China, such as the syringa,
the katsura tree, the Japanese ounce,
and the exquisitely beautiful maiden
hair tree, or gingko biloba.
The director, writing Of the result OF
this utilizing of all small plots, says:
''The number Of specimens which have
been planted along the roads from the
entrance gates to and about the build
ing is 2, 742, and the number of species
and varieties among these is about 80.
With so many different types of beauty
spread Out on every hand the visitor
fcds objects OF interest to claim his at
tention at every point"
In many places on the farm the fruit
trees could be used 80 that they would
be at once objects Of beauty and profit
Even in the smallest plots and corners
the weeds and stones could be replaced
by flowers, to the ae ;thetic delight and
mental improvement of those who pass
their lives on the farm.-New Yorb
| Times