The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1905-12-06
The Woman's Club Of Minot

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Fortunately we are not all alike.
Much of the pleasure and NEST Of the
interest of life lies in the variety OF
people we see about us. 1t would be
well if we showed this individuality in
our dwellings and gardens. In new
country where we are Just beginning
to possess real homes we appreciate
the possession much that we are too
apt to accept with gratitude any sub
stantial house, and to follow the example
commonest among our neighbors. Take
the square, one-story porchless house
met with in every block in Minot. It is
an economical plan, compact, we'll
lighted, above all easy to build, so easy
in fact that it is the pet Of our contrac-
tors. Must we have so many such,
however, because the start was made
that way and because our contractors
like to build them? Let us cease to
build these monotonous, meaningless
rows of houses and each put bit of
himself into his home and garden.
In acertain degree this has already been
done. There are many beautiful homes
now in Minot that offer refreshing
change to the eve. but as we walk
abroadj we pass many new repetition
OF the same old story and sigh that it is
a permanent object.
The advice of the contractor, frequent
ly discouraging to new features and
styles, all too often tips the scale from
the wishes of his client. II man be
fond Of ,porches, let him indulge his
taste for them and have the broad,
roomy yeranda so delightful in sum-
tmer time. If sunshine he his hobby
i let him turn the living rooms away from
the street: il need be and boldly towards
the south.
II he, or more often She, have soft
heart for flowers and gardens, what
more CHEEKY in winter than the conserv-
atory, full Of green. growing things,
bathed in the sunshine, the delicious air
heavy with mingled smell Of warm
moist earth and the fragrance Of bloom
ing plant. For those who love garden
ing Why not thus bring touch Of sum
mer into the home?
Is it necessary, too, that fence be in
the exact likeness of neighbors. Why
not vary the, fence, or better, have wsal
or hedge about the house and garden?
There are localities where the wall or
hedge is the dominant note, and fences
seldom seen. They are some Of the most
delightful spots in the world to linger
in. We cannot have the old time hedge
and the ivy clad wall for the asking.
Time with its mellow touch must have
wintered and summered them. But
many beautiful effects, unthought of
amid the hustle and hustle of the town
we dwell in may be quickly brought to
pass.
Reaching out its spreading branches
year by year, the shrubbery massed by
the gateway, the perennial garden with
it's tall spikes of larkspur and hollyhock
under the sheltering wall, offer such
alluring glimpses, such whiffs of frag-
rance to the passer-by, that he finds
himself often retracing his way for one
more glimpse into the secluded garden.
What picturesque visits of fowery
garden, walk shaded by bushes and
trees, and of shrub sheltered doorway
have we not all seen and stored in our
memories. what heeting waves of per
fume shaken at us from a bloom laden
branch nodding over the wall. Within
such a garden the happy owner may
wander at will end unseen by the world
pluck her flowers and train her vine
or sit with needle or hook the hot hours
through, forgetful of the dusty streets
and the noisy town beyond her garder
wall.
Such gardens are yet not known il
Minot, but such gardens we all nigh
have. Where wall is not desired, +,
high hedge forms picturesque barrie
from the outer world. II an owner carr
not for secluded garden, but like
better the open lawn, there is the low
squarely clipped hedge so neat in it
appearance. 1t gives stylish touch t.
1.-The trim house and even lawn, and lend
to the street \ r'easant greenery.