FARMEES' HOUSES. 



sides of the walks — producing intricacy by shutting out the view In advance, and of 

 other walks near by — grouped the same as trees on the lawn, they produce variety by 

 breaking up the view into pleasing opening*?, and they can be used as undergrowth 

 among the larger trees. For the last named purpose, I have found the Privet (allowed 

 to grow as a shrub) and the Missouri Currant perfectly well adapted. If there is on 

 the place a few hiW grown trees, they may be covered to advantage with the American 

 Ivy, Honeysuckle, and some of the Prairie Roses. 



Instead of placing all the ornamental trees in front of the house, as is too often 

 the case, some of the larger groups (particularly evergreens) should be placed at the 

 back and sides, to give a background to the picture, and a pleasing effect to the house. 



A FEW HINTS ON FARMERS' HOUSES. 



BY WILLIAM n. SCOTT, ADRIAN, MICH. 



It is a little strange that in this State not one farmer's yard in five hundred has more 

 than half a dozen ornamental trees in it ; and in the greater number there are no 

 trees at all. The farmer who ventures upon the outlay of a few dollars in the purchase 

 of well selected ornamental trees, and evergreens especially, is quite sure to find that 

 at least every third passer points at them as something a little select — something, 

 though very pretty, not exactly appropriate in the demesne of the man who gets his 

 living by growing wheat or wool, or by making butter. AVhy not ? Only because 

 the thing has'nt its precedents among Michigan farmers. Even Johnny Slattern 

 and Bill Carenought, mitenanted as their minds are with any thing of a Georgic 

 nature, wish that some of those pretty trees at whose beauties they give a passing 

 look in their way through Town street or Suburban road on their way to market, 

 were their own. But these men want the example of their own class. There are 

 their neighbors Broadbrim and Loanmoney whose /arms are the pink of neatness — 

 their fields without a thistle or other noxious weed ; their fences of the best ; their 

 wheat well drilled; their orchards trim and productive; their houses commodious 

 enough ; and, maybe, each keeps his carriage. Thei/ are the men to whom the 

 neighboring farmers look for examples. Farmer Broadbrim thought, when he "laid 

 out" hi-s "dooryard," that he had got it about right. Before he built, and when he 

 lived in the log house, the "front fence" was a rail fence, and the "dooryard" was the 

 whole farm that the house and barn did'nt cover. So, wlien the new house can>e to 

 be built, in order to a greater certainty of metes and bounds — " a clear manifestation 

 of visible things," Consistence Broadbrim runs a bee-line from each front corner of 

 his new-built house, whereupon shall stand, as well upon the street, a picket fence. 

 His well kept farm has thus far engaged his whole attention, for from its proceeds 

 he has had a large family to maintain ; but now, as the farm is in good culture, and 

 the children married and out of charge, he thinks he will decorate a little : hence that 

 front yard within that picket fence. Consistence says that good Rebecca, the wife. 



