The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-04-20
THE IMPROVEMENT OF FARM
HOMES.
SMALL EXPENDITURE OF TINE AND
MONEY MAKES THEM ATTRACTIVE.

SMALL EXPENDITURE OF TINE AND
MONEY MAKES THEM ATTRACTIVE.
To those who have had the oppor-
tunity of noting the development of
our western country during the past
quarter of century or more, the pro-
gress made in farming and the improve
mcnt effected in the general appear
ance OF our FARMS, and tho character
or the farm buildings, including the
nome, Is In certain sense, wonderful,
testifying to the industry, energy and
business ability of the average farmer,
whose labors have been rewarded by q
remarkable degree of success, afford
ing him ample means, and abundantly
warranting him, as a rule, in now TAX
ing all the reasonable enjoyment out
OF life that he and his family desire,
even to the Indulgence in such luxu-
ries as contribute TO healthful and COM
mcndable pleasures.
| Looking over the farm we observe
that his fields are in high state of
fertility; his stock in excellent condi-
ton; his barns and other out-buildings
ample, neat and substantially built, the
horses and cattle being comfortably
housed in commodious quarters; his
dwelling house, too, presents very
pleasing aspect, being generous in size
and modern in all its appointments,
having all the cOnvcniences practicable
in the country. All this is striking
Contlast to the same farm as we re-
member it perhaps thirty years ago
with its stump-cOvcrcd clearing and it's
long cabin, where the farmer AMI his
wife found shelter and enjoyed
what comforts they could III a
dwelling little, If any better than that
in which their cattle were housed.
Yes, the Improvement is indeed won
dcrful and reflects credit on the owner,
whom we recognize as successful
farmer and shrcwd business man. And
after all, he is not exceptional; he is
what we might call Il fair average, and
like the average of mankind is not
without his deficiencies as we shall
presently see.
While admiring his splendid farm
and its appointments, we are conscious,
as our eyes rest on his dwelling that
the otherwise very pleasing picture
lacks finish. His is one VI many
homes that was located in the heart of
Il forest or in a forest clad country
where tree, except as ii possessed a
market value as fuel or lumber, was
looked upon as the enemy of the farmer
and consequently was doomed to the
axe. The farmer began clearing around
his home, usalIy cutting down every
tree as he went along, an almost mex
cusablc folly, or if, by chance, lie
spared Il few, they, in the course of
time dropped and died, owing to the
exposure to which they were not accus-
toned. In any event the immediate
surroundings arc devoid of trees, and
his home is exposed to summers
scorching sun and winters storms
But why has he left them Sc? Well
for various reasons. Perhaps through
all these years he has been very mucl
} occupied with his legitimate business
and has had no leisure to think of any
. thing but his farm, and no time to dc
anything except the seemingly ncvc
ending labors of farming, even if J.,
y had thought -6t i: Crops and stool
- must have proper attention even to tn
!. sacrifice Of personal comfort. He ma,
@ perhaps have had at one time dcsr
q Tor beautiful home grounds, but through
d force Of circumstances he has bccOm
/ accustomed to his surroundings and i
Q now Indifferent. Perhaps, he lacks
o proper appreciation Of what we Ca
. the beautiful and is totally oblivious t
- everything which constitutes homo
/. glound adornment, or, it may be, tina
p1 through lack of knowledge of the sui
d ject lie iinagines that the bcautifyin
3. of the home ncccsstatcs vast amour
u of labor and the employment of consi(
cradle material, involving large ou
10 lay Of money, and SO he is detelrc
T. from doing anything. and his home re
es mains TO say the least of it, very una
n, tractivc. Whereas by small cxpcnG
r, iturc of labor and money the ground
cl could be rendered neat, even beautiful
81 source Of prido rs well rs comfol
80 and pleasure to his family and an cX
y ample to his ncighbors, who woul
J. probably not be slow to make simila
Is improvements, until eventually tn
d whole neighborhood would assume tn
n aspect of the rural district
VI LulOpCali CollltllCS So lnllCu au
mircd, and justly so, by our tourists
. Nay more than that, such improve
" mcnts would inevitably enhance th,
! value of the farms by making then
A more desirable homes. But in tn
3 meantime who is better entitled to al
= attractiye home, with all its comfort
and pleasures than tho farmer and Iii
+ family who have worked hard to max
the farm what it is? Why, then, doe
he delay? If he Is Indifferent to hi
Z own pleasures let him consult his fam
o ily's. His wife and daughters are fon
@ of flowers, and they enjoy resting III
der the shade of the trees during tn
few spare moments they OCCASIONAL
q have in the afternoon or towards ever
q ing. The boys, too, like to SEQ
:, smooth and beautiful lawn, which,
g not wholly for the love of gardening
% at least spurred by the pride they mai