Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-04-06
Ornancnting Home and Public
Grounds,

ers' Institute. March Is.
In the mind OF the practical farmer no
question 10 fully settled until It has been
reduced to problem OF profit and loss
He opens an imaginary account, placing
on the debit side the cost OF the venture,
and on the credit side the probable in
come. II tho credit side exceeds the
debit, the venture will pay. This pro-
cess OF reasoning 10 not deferred until
tho crop is harvested, but it proceeds the
turning OF the first furrow. We believe
this is as it should be.
In considering the matter OF ornament.
ing home and public grounds, we should
first answer the question, Will it poy?
And use the future tense because 30
many OF onr homes are new md no few
have ornamented grounds. believe
that jndicions expenditure for ornamen-
tation will make splendidly rcmunerative
returns: First. in increased valuation
value is commensurate With dc maud. A
piece Of property, at my valuation, is
dear 10 the one who owns il il no one
else wants it. But that is just the kind
Of property TINT an enterprising mnn will
try 10 buy for nm Investment, for by i'm
proving Il he will attract attention to il,
create u demand, and lie can then sell il
ut n handsome profit. All have some ap-
probation Of the beautiful. mud when a
man sees what just fills his eye, he wants
it, and il he cnn not buy the improved
property with handsome grounds, he will
buy other property just rs near to it as
| 4. ,kaks Laos. s.A
tracts attention, creates demand aud ell
hnnces value.
This is true not only OF private grounds
but it applies in n modified sense to pul =
lie grounds. Well kept public grounds
are silent witnesses, yet to the eye Of tie
observing traveller they spenk volumes
for the thrift and enterprise Of the COM
muuty. But this is not all; ornamenta-
ton l,ns in itself an aesthetic value.
There is born within usa love for the
beautiful. Children recognize the Diff
creme. bctween u well kept yard and one
that is grown up to weeds and they nre
for the former. believe that ornament
tation os home grounds is one Of the
most powerful factors TINT may be EN-:
ployed to cultivate in our children and
yoing people love OF home.
1t Is sometimes said that boys do not
stick to the farm, because the farm does
not stick to the boys. May not this be
true Of the home as we'll?
Interest the boys in the selection x
ornamental trees and blooming shrubs;
let them tell where they would like to
| or shrub that shall be his own; let him
plant it and care for it and he will feel
that he Inns an interest in the home, he.
cause there is some part OF it he can call
his own.
No grounds, private or public, arc Or
namente,l unless first covered by natures 8
carpet OF green. Bluegrass makes tho
best lawn. 1t should be mixed with
white clover and sown thick. The clover
will start first and protect the bluegrass.
After two or three yenrs the grass vii
of fine gravel and higher than the swarl.
Beds of annual flowers may be made
here and there on the lawn with vrey
pleasing effect. Fancy designs IN beds.
such MS anchors. stars. ETC., do not Igive
the best results. Masses Of verbenas,
petunias, poppies, or phloxes in rectang-
nlar, circular or oblong beds will pro-
duce dazzling profusion OF brilliant
bloom.
But, in general, perennial herbs and
bulbs will be more satisfactory than ar.
bleeding heart and phloxes are all hardy
and when once we'll rooted will increase
in quantity and beauty of bloom year
by year. The dahlia, tnberose and glad
iolus; the Gamma and other lilies that
grow from bulbs and underground stems
are easily started, and when planted in
clusters or masses, produce very pleasing
effects.
Blooming shrubs should be chosen
with care, and planted where they will
not obstruct the view from the house.
nal roses. with little protection, will af-
ford n continuous supply OF bloom from
early spring until frost comes.
In the selection of trees, choose those
that will best serve the particular pur-
pose for which they are wanted. II they
are desirable chiefly for ornamentation
plant the cutleaf birch, the dogwood. the
mountain ash, the tamarisk and the ever
greens. II shade is the chief considera-
ton plant trees that have compact tops
and dense foliage like the white ash and
plant walnnts, pecans, hickory nuts and
chestnnts and future generations will
call You blessed.
| Do not plant ornamental trees in rows.
unless it be to border n drive or to form
n grove. Give Towering or nutbearing
trees the preference when they possess
other essential or desirable qualities. II
such trees can not be obtained plant
| such trees MS you can get, but plant
trees and make them grow.
What an improvement has been mads
in our city park by the planting of trees
and liberal use of water, grass seed and
muscle. What handsome little park
could be made OF the plot OF ground be-
tween the railroad and Mr.. Rockers cor
ner. II that ground were fenced, planted
to shade trees, seeded to bluegrass. laid