farmers' institutes. '725 



H'ompare the conveniences and improvements of our day and age with 

 their way of living, as now the sewing machine occupies the place of the 

 loom, the spinning wheels have long since found a place in the garret, 

 of the carding factory nothing remains but a few rotting timbers, over 

 and around which the waters of Big Flatrock murmur. Again I will say 

 in conclusion our homes are what we make them. What tender associa- 

 tions are linked with tlie very word home. To the little child home is his 

 world— he knows no other. Ask the man of mature years, whose brow 

 is furrowed by care, ask him what is home. He will tell you it is a place 

 of rest, a haven of content. Ask the lone wanderer as he plods his 

 weary way, Ijent with the weight of years and white with the frosts of 

 age. He will tell you it is a green spot in memory, an oasis in the 

 desert. Therefore, let us strive to make it worthy of the name— home. 



"HOW TO BEAUTIFY THE FARM HOME." 



BY MISS MATTIE D. CATO, HUNTINGBURG. 



[Extract of u paper read before the Dubois County Farmers' In.-^titute.l 



"As the twig is bent, the tree will grow." We are organized being.s, 

 and as such are governed bj' certain fixed laws or rules of action in our 

 relation to the elements that surround us. If we turn our attention to 

 these elements we will find that of "beauty" an es.sential one. 



Beauty is admired by all nations and by all people. It is a charm tliat 

 is attractive to the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the good and 

 the bad. It is praised, loved and desired by all. It is valued above the 

 "philosopher's stone," or the "fabled fountain of youth." 



Genius, art and nature combined beautify the home. It is our purpose 

 in this paper to present a few ideas by which these may be combined in 

 beautifying the farm home. Home, Avhat is it? Webster says home is 

 one's dwelling house. Shall wo confine oui'selves to this definition? 

 Does not lif)me mean more to us than simply a place of habitation? 

 Neither do four walls make a home. Nay, more than this is required. It 

 means a generous supply of Nature's l)0unties. f-arefully arranged and 

 tended: it means intelligence at the workstand. it means diligence at the 

 book, it means love at the hearth, it mean.«! devotion at the altar. 



Beauty is that assemblage of graces, or that proportion of parts whidi 

 ple«ses the senses, especially the eye or the ear. Lrwik at the delicate 

 tints and the exquisite beauty with which nature ha.s embellished the rose 

 and the flowers of the field. The skill of the artist can not equal her in 

 her works of lienuty. Tims by coinlnning skill and labor with the work of 

 nature very effective results can be oljtained. (Parts omitted. I 



The yard ought to be slojiing from the houso. A neat low fence, well 



