SHELTER. 



Imprlana of Sklttr. 



.IIELTER is a subject which comes directly home to every man who 

 lives in the open country, and hopes to have a comfortable residence, 

 with fields, orchards, and gardens, that may be cultivated with pleasure 

 and profit. We fear that very many overlook this matter, in selecting 

 and preparing their country residences. Elevated situations are gen- 

 erally preferred, and it is right they should be ; such considerations as 

 ' purity of air, facility for drainage, and a commanding prospect, have 

 all too much to do with the pleasure and advantages of country life to 

 be valued lightly ; but whatever else we look for, and provide for, we should never 

 forget to seek protection against prevailing winds, both for the dwelling and all that 

 portion of the grounds to be devoted to the higher branches of culture. It matters 

 not what latitude we are in, the necessity for protection exists. It may be much 

 more necessary in one locality than in another, but nowhere that we know can it be 

 dispensed with safely. 



No man is so liable to err on this point, as he who has not been accustomed to 

 country life — who has had no actual experience with the vicissitudes of climate and 

 the destructive effects of high winds. He goes into the country in the midst of fine 

 summer weather, when every spot is beautiful. An elevated site is sought for — one 

 that commands a fine view, and is far above the influence of marshy vapoi-s ; such an 

 one is found, and the dwelling is erected. Perhaps there is not a tree within half a 

 mile of it ; but that defect can soon be remedied by planting. Before the buildings 

 are finished, however, the exposure begins to be felt — the winds blow fiercely, and the 

 very house rocks on its foundation. But he perseveres — his house is completed and 

 occupied. Winter comes, and with it biting blasts that penetrate every nook and 

 corner. One room after another is deserted, and shelter is sought in whatever corner 

 is least exposed. The dreary winter passes, and spring comes. A look over his 

 grounds shows him nearly all his trees planted the autumn before are dead, frozen, 

 and dried up. AVell, it was a mistake to plant in the fall — he must plant in the 

 spring; and so the dead trees are replaced with living ones ; but they, too, find dif- 

 ficulties to contend with from exposure, and half of them perish before midsummer. 

 So it goes for a year or two longer, when very likely he becomes sick of such rural 

 delights, and returns to town. 



Tliis is not a mere fancy sketch. We have seen such cases in our own neighborhood, 

 and such may be found in all parts of the country. A gentleman of our acquaintance, 

 some yeai-s ago fell in love with a country residence a mile or two out of the town in 

 which he lived. It was the most elevated and commanding situation in all tlie country 

 about, and in fine summer weather, as he took his afternoon drive, his imagination 

 revelled in the earthly paradise he could make of it, were it his. Finally, he pur- 

 chased it, and fitted it up for his residence ; but he very soon found out that he had 



August 1, 1853. 



No. VIII. 



