ANNUAL MEETING AT LEXINGTON. 325 



"WASTE PLACES." 



BY MRS. A. C. SKINNER, BUTLER, MO. 



Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: When we contem- 

 plate what a grand old country we have to live in and such a splendid 

 climate, with rich and fertile soil, how can we, as its inhabitants, abuse 

 the privilege of making it as attractive as possible. But we come far 

 short of this when we note the "waste places." Go in any direction 

 yet you find patches of ground that have never been in cultivation, 

 which could, with a very little labor, be made useful in the way of a 

 vegetable and flower garden, for the fruit and flower missions of our 

 cities are among the most beautiful charities. There are compara- 

 tively few farms in our country but have "waste places." 



A house surrounded by a neat grassy plat is an object any one 

 cannot help admiring, and is said to be a sure sign that cheerfulness 

 reigns within. How many farmers live on the same farm for years, 

 aye, for a life time and not plant but few trees, shrubs and flowers. 

 Where is the farmer that is so poor or pressed for time that he cannot 

 have at least a neat lawn about his house. This should be one of the 

 first considerations in the way of improving a home, for 1 would sooner 

 live in a cabin than without these "jewels." 



Farmers, I am sorry to say, are the most negligent on this score. 

 It does not seem for the want of land, but prompt action. They have 

 so little opposition in this respect they lose their pride and ambition to 

 a certain degree. Of course there are exceptions, but as a rule there 

 are veiy few tidy farms on account of "waste places." 



Yet nature has not been idle, -but with lavish hand hath strewn 

 through the woods and fields plants as pretty as any grown by flor- 

 ists. Then let each and every home have a place for the cultivation 

 of trees and flowers. They will reward us with both beauty and fra- 

 grance. They also teach us important lessons how to make our homes 

 attractive to our children, friends and ourselves. 



Imagine for a moment a house when spring has come, found 

 naught but wild weeds, night shade and rough-leaved burdock in the 

 place of the sweet doorway greeting of the honeysuckle and the rose ; 



