Year: 1867

Decorate the Homestead.


The mild breath Of spring and the
music of the early birds, reminds US that
the season approaches for planting, not
only vegetables and grains necessary
for mans subsistence, but shrubs, treea
and flowers to feed the eyes and nouE-
ish the taste.


There is no homestead on which lit
tie judicious labor will not result in
more Or less pleasure hereafter. None
on which there is not some nook or
corner that can be beautifed by vine,
a shrub, or plat of flowers. Nature
will do her part if we perform ours, and
many barren and unsighdy yard or
common may thus become thing Of
beauty, adding to the pure joys of home.
Next to wholesome food home pleasures
are necessary to enliven our spirits, pro-
mote our good health and give zest To-
rural life. What can give a greater
satisfaction to afamily Of refined tasts
than to have the grounds around the
homestead decorated with the beauties
of nature so bountifully furnished usf
The species and varieties Of trees,
shrubs, roses, vines, &c, are now so
numerous that a choice selection can be
made to suit every cline, soil and ex-
posure, and to bloom and fruit all the
growing season. See them tastefnlly
arranged and gorgeously dressed with
foliage Of various colors, and decked
with blooms far transcending the most
costly iewelry in brilliancy, and perfum4
ing the air with their fragrance. In
windy days they gracefully bow, prancs,
and whirl around like sprightly youth
in the dance, and the melody of the
breeze serves them for music. How
beautiful the picture and great the en-
joyment to those who can appreciate
them. 1t makes cot palace, home
a paradise; the owner king, and his
wife a queen; it imparts dignity to
the manly graces of sons, and lustre to
the beauties and virtues of daughters.
The passing wayfarer is delighted with
the scene, and sets it down in his mind
as the abode of the great and good in
heart, and the virtuous and wise in ac-
ton. "


After planting climbing vines to
Clothe the veranda, and few deciduous
trees around the house for shadein sum-
mer, all the other trees, shrubs and 70.
ses should be so arranged over the lawn
that all will be seen at one view. Set
the more dwarf nearer the house, and
the taller farther off, and they will ap-
pear to rise IN graceful folds as they re-
cede from the eye, and the contrast Of
size, form, and color of the various indi-
viduals will show TO greater advantage,
and that will give additional graces to


their charm.


SET OUT SHADE TREES.


The season for transplanting trees ID
at hand, and we would call the attention
Of our readers TO the work OF ornament
ing their streets and highway with
shade trees. Before the war deep in
terest was felt in this matter in many


localities in this vicinity, and in some
cases organizations were formed for the
purpose of carrying on the work eff


GENTLY. We wish these organizations


might be revived this spring, and that


the work of setting out trees along the
: pleasant dIive-ways in our New Eng
land towns might be resumed. Let


those living on certain street get to-
gether and agree each to place one or
more trees in front of his own lot.
Having agreed on what kind of trees to
put out, let committee Of gentlemen
be appointed to get the trees from the
,, nursery or the forest, to have the holes
dug and the preparations made for the
setting out on day appointed for that
purpose. When the day comes let the
ladies provide a simple collation. and at-
D ter the trees have been carefully set out
let all, old and young, gather round the
festive board and spend an afternoon II
pleasant social converse. Let each tree
5 be named for some loved one in the
family which it represents, and thu
centre in it that interest which will in
sure its being kindly cared for through
the parching droughts of summer anG


the stormy winds Of winter A little


labor expended now in this way will, ID


FIVE years time, transform shadelesa,
n unattractive street into beauteoul
n grove, resonant with the singing of the


birds, delighting the eye with the beauty


of its foliage, and adding to the value Q
s the property bordering upon it. WI


are sure that those who make the exper.
+ iment will be pleased and well repaid


for their labor.-Boston Journal.


To Prevent Black Calico ron
r TdAtnN