242 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



neglected private grounds, dilapidated dwelling?, barn or sheds, or 

 a street ugly with piles of decaying brush or chips, discarded fruit 

 cans, broken harrows, carts or sleds, a front fence with pickets 

 missing and a disabled gate, give an air of shiftlessness that sadly 

 mars the effect of an otherwise beautiful village. Here an Asso- 

 ciation is needed -to develop that private taste and public spirit 

 which will remove such defects and disfigurements. When every 

 citizen is thus stimulated to make his own grounds and wayside 

 not only free from rubbish, but neat and attractive, the entire 

 town becomes so inviting and home-like as to give new value to its 

 wealth and new attractions to all its homes. Such affectionate care 

 and attention to the homes indicate a kindly, intelligent, home- 

 loving people; and no better praise need be given to any people, 

 than that they tenderly cherish their homes and therefore tastefully 

 guard the surroundings of their daily life. These surroundings, 

 trifling as they seem to many, are the more important, because 

 they are constant forces in moulding character. 



Modern civilization relates specially to the homes and social 

 life of the people, to their health, comfort, and thrift, their intel- 

 lectual and moral advancement. In earlier times and in other 

 lands, men were counted in the aggregate. They were valued as 

 they helped to swell the revenues or retinues of kings and nobles. 

 The government was the unit, and each individual only added one 

 to the roll of soldiers or serfs. "With us the individual is the unit, 

 and the government is for the people as well as by the people. 



It is a good omen that public interest in the embellishment of 

 rural homes and villages is widely extending, and that the varied 

 charms of the country with its superior advantages for the physical 

 and moral training of children are attracting many thoughtful men 

 to the simple enjoyments and employments of rural life. With 

 the growth of public taste, the day is not distant when beautiful 

 country seats and villages will abound throughout Connecticut. 

 Dr. Bushnell, with his keen observation and intense love of rural 

 scenery, was wont to say, "No part of our country between the 

 two oceans is susceptible of greater external beauty than Connec- 

 ticut." A taste for rural adornment is a source of physical, mental, 

 and moral health as well as enjoyment. The parentage of parks, 

 lawns, trees, flowers, vines, and shrubs becomes a matter of just 

 pride and binds one to the spot he has adorned. 



The hankering for city diversions and excitements, and ambition 

 for easier lives and more genteel employments, have brought 



