HINTS FOR COUNTRY HOUSES. 



the form of a brush, upon a stick, and with this mixture he covers the branches and the 

 trunk of his trees, from the ground to the height of at least a yard ; as, if the snow should 

 be heaped up at the foot of the trees, by the wind, the hares could by its help, attain a 

 greater height on the bark of the tree. 



This mixture applied quite warm, possesses the additional advantage of keeping the 

 bark in a state of preservation and health, and preventing the growth of moss, of which 

 the effect is often injurious, and which is always disagreeable to the sight. 



It is best to use this means of protection early in November, during a dry season, which 

 will allow the mixture to adhere to the bark while drying. If there should be rain during 

 the operation, or immediately after, the trees would be washed and it would have to be 

 repeated. 



If it should be done during a frost, there would be but little chance of success. The 

 plaster with which the bark had been covered might be thrown off in a thaw. If, how- 

 ever, by want of prudence, the operation is overtaken by the frost, and it is necessary to 

 act quickly, it may be done with success, by selecting that time of the day when the trees 

 are most exposed to the direct rays of the sun. 



Twelve pints of this mixture will be sufficient to protect 3 or 400 dwarf trees against 

 the hares or rabbits, and may be obtained for a few cents worth of lime and one day's 

 labor of an active man. This method is equally infallible for preserving the grafts of all 

 nursery trees. J. Girardijst. 



HINTS FOK COUNTRY HOUSES. 



SEE FRONTISPIECE. 



We have engraved for our frontispiece this month, a view of a very interesting old Eng- 

 lish building — known as Hayes Farm, in Devonshire. It is doubly interesting to us. 

 First, as having been the birth place of the celebrated Sir Walter Raleigh — whose name 

 is always associated with the early history of America; in the second place, as a good ex- 

 ample of a style of respectable country house still very common in England. Simple in 

 character, built of solid materials, of ample size, and full of substantial comfort; it seems 

 to us a better type to study, and a better hint for a model, than most of the over-decorat- 

 ed cottages and villas at present so much the fashion. Of course, it is only a hint, for some 

 of the details are faulty, but the expression is genuinely that of a substantial country 

 house that has no pretension which it cannot fulfill, and which aims at being nothing 

 which it is not in reality. We like the simplicity of the solid walls of stone roughcast, 

 the plain gables and windows, and the ample porch. Diminish the size of this house to 

 suit our wants, and add a veranda, and a more appropriate style for a country house in 

 the northern states, is not easily attained. 



