The Newtown bee., 1909-09-10
The NeWtovn Rec Newtown, Friday, Sept, 10, 1909.
THE HOME FOREST.
The Rev R. E, Danforth.


 given piece of land and yet improve the soil for future production. In fact the forest is regarded much as is the crop of grain or fruit, to get the greatest efficiency out of each square yard of forest soil. But so long is the ordinary forest crop in growing that one man cannot see a slnge ro-
 gtunate enough to see 1t in his life time.
 Few individuals see the advantage in such an undertaking, privately conducted, even granting the large returns accruing to children and grandchildren in case fire does not destroy the investment, The home life and place of abode of the modern American business man are so dependent upon the circum- stances of his business, that judging from his own transient existence, he doubts whether his descendants could look out for any one piece of land. Accordingly he rents, or buys tenn porarily, his little lot of earth, and is ready to move at any time. The ethics of this bustling, almost rowing life are not the highest. Environ ment shows its influence as well as heredity, and an environment made up of the ordinary conditions of present day American business life is such as to develop alertness, smart ness and versatility at the expense of some more solid and endurine quali- ties of character. The substantial homestead of Old England produced an environment which reacted upon the character of the Anglo-Saxon race through many long generations, being partly responsible for the many sterling qualities that race enjoys to-day. Modern conditions, if con- tinued, will react upon the race in quite different way. But already change for the better is discern able.
 Not a few of those who stand in achieved success in business and the front ranks, who having already perceiving that modern coeditions have shortcomings as well as un- doubted advantages, seek to add to the many of the advantages of the past, chief among which is substan. tial, more or less extensive, beauti. full and really homelike family home stead. While not absolutely essential the forest is one of the most valuable elements of a thoroughly complete homestead, adding both pecuniarily and poetically to its completeness. It should be divided into three parts consisting, first, of a large area of scientifically managed forest, SC planned as to yield continually the greatest amount of valuable timber; secondly, there should be grove of long lived trees planted at greater distances apart and allowed to reach noble old age; anu thirdly, small groups or solitary trees of long lived species, scattered here and there artistically, over the premises; the first class for both pecuniary an6 poetic reasons, the second and third only for aesthetic reasons. This con stitutes the ideal forest of the perfect homestead, and what better aim car mortal man have than to build up 2 homestead as nearly like heaven, 1T beauty and permanent worth as his prophetic genius and his executive genius combined can accomplish. The flower garden, the lawn, and mos important, the house, with it's fur nishings, it's style of architecture, it. ornaments and embellishments, these l to constitute the substantial home stead, should be planned not so mucl for lavish display as to enthrall tht senses with their quiet, real ant abiding beauty, and fill the hear with joy and peace and the convict ion that at home the joy and peace can be found surpassing all to bt found elsewhere.
 Popular appreciation of the reall! beautiful in the home and surround ings is indeed growing wonderfull! in America. And when all has beer accomplished in the choice of loca tion, architecture and landscape gar dening, the acme is to be reached il the forest. Men will vie with on, another in the beauty of their for ests, the solemn grandeur of thei groves, the splash and sparkle o their waterfalls and the perfection of the management of their wood lands. In the forest, father will re ceive value from grandfather, ant Itransmit it to son, enhanced, ye freely used and profitted by in tran sit. The children of the homestead