Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-04-16
A HON { PARK.
Suggestions for Laying Out One on
Your Farm.

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There are at present many neatly
kept farmsteads. The attention of the
writer is always attracted by their in
wiling appearance, and, when driving
with people who are interested, he u.s.
ually comments IN tenants or owner
A tidy, well-arranged farmstead is evil
dence of refinement as well as prosper
ity. The farmer who spends his spare
time in town and many of his evenings
in company with saloon patrons rather
than at home rarely has time to
keep the yards and buildings looking
tidy. A fat bank account is coveted
by many farmers who have struggled
for years with a mortgage and its
money-consuming interest payments.
When the prize is attained they keep
it a secret for fear the assessor will
list it for taxation. Why not invest
some Of the surplus money in making
the home grounds attractive and en-
joyable for the family rather than de-
posting the same in a bank where
ever its association is lost to the
owner?
A home park or commodious lawn
is a thing of beauty and should be-
come a part of many farmsteads where
good buildings are located on ranches
that contain many acres. A landscape
gardener should be employed to lay
out the land to be dedicated to this
purpose, says the writer in the North
western Agriculturist. The expense
of his services will be small when
compared to the pleasing effect his
professional skill car suggest and pro-
duce in the arrangement of the drives,
walks, trees, shrubs, flowers, etc. OF
course this is not entirely necessary,
but it will add much to the attractive
appearance of large grounds.
A park-like effect may be produced
In a small way by constructing a few
rustic arbors, mounds for flowers and
hedges of evergreens, to define the
boundary of the grounds, drives, walks,
etc. These spring-like days are sug-
gestive of planting time. We feel
quite sure all of our readers are pre-
pairing to do more or less tree planting
this spring. Why not anticipate a
home park and order a generous sup
ply of e~vergreens, shrubs, towering
roots, bulbs, ETC., to plant in the same
for a starter?
The material for the rustic arbors
a be procured from the wood lot
on the farm or in the timber at a
distance. One load of poles will make
a commodious arbor, which should be
located so hear the house that when
1t is covered with vines for shade it
will become a resting place for mem
bers of the family, especially the wom-
en- folks when they are preparing veg
etables and fruits for the table. A
canopy-top swinging lawn chair is also
an attractive as well as comfortable
piece of furniture for the home mark.
The same is true of hammocks. IL IS
tic chairs, merry-go-rounds, etc. for
young and old.
A smooth croquet ground should
also be provided for the benefit of
the family and visiting neighbors.
Lawn tennis is a f~avorite game for
the ladies who are at home in the
cities. 1t is equally good out-of.door
exercise for women in the country.
Consider the making Of a home park
as q part of the spring work this
year. Don't attempt to complete the
prorosed Improvement in one year.
1ut begin the planning at once.