148 agriculture; of maine;. 



one has the moral right to mar the pleasure of others in this 



Cess pools should be drained. Pig pens and compost heaps, 

 factories that give forth offensive stench, and everything that 

 would pollute the pure, fresh air should be removed from the 

 wayside as far as possible. 



Billboards should not be permitted. These ever present re- 

 minders of greedy commercialism mar and obstruct views that 

 would otherwise delight the eye, and in these days of rapid 

 highway transit they are an unbearable nuisance, for they com- 

 pel travellers to strain the eye continually in discriminating 

 search for the necessary guideposts. 



Rocks that lie near enough to the road to prove a menace 

 to the passing of vehicles should be crushed for the roadbed, 

 or they should be rolled back to add to the rustic beauty of the 

 landscape. All noxious weeds should be destroyed before 

 seeding time. Trees and shrubs that interfere with, or cause 

 a crowding of the traffic, and all that harbor insect pests, should 

 be cut down in the driest, hottest season of the year to dis- 

 courage sprouting. The stumps should be pulled or blown out 

 with dynamite, and burned with the brush. 



In clearing up the roadside, I would not be like the barber 

 who cut off a man's nose and ears when he had only ordered a 

 clean shave. As a rule, we do well when we preserve, as far 

 as possible, what nature has donated, only restraining her too 

 lavish hand where she would impede human progress. A 

 group of shrubs, a boulder well beyond the reach of passing 

 wheels, or a tree that harbors no insect pests, and that has been 

 taught to grow beautifully, add real charm to the wayside.- 



In the matter of decoration, nature must be our instructor, 

 for although she paints with a lavish brush, and selects the most 

 daringly gorgeous colors, they harmonize and blend without 

 flaw. That is why she has been the valued preceptress of 

 every great landscape artist. She is never negligent, but pro- 

 vides in advance for the wonderful and varied color schemes 

 that harmonize with the changing seasons. There are the 

 delicate tints of spring, the gold of the blazing summer, and 

 the purpHe and crimson of autumn ; but when winter comes 

 with her gray leaden skies, she indulges her love of harmony 

 by dropping her brilliant coloring, and covering all with a 

 white, fleecy blanket. 



