570 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The subject of drainage and plumbing and the disposition of sewage is 

 too complicated and technical for discussion in this paper, yet not beyond 

 the comprehension of any one who will give the question a little time and 

 study, but their importance can not be too strongly urged. It is a question 

 that receives far too little attention in the average home. There is probably 

 nothing we use in which lurks greater danger than our drinking water, and 

 the source from which most country people draw their drinking water. The 

 shallow dug well is prolific with germ life. True these are not always deadly, 

 yet there is always the greatest danger that they will cause serious epidemics. 

 Now, while I picture to you a grave condition, I can offer no practical anti- 

 dote. Distilled and boiled water are solutions of the problem that require 

 work and care. The deep well encased by iron pipe is probably the easiest 

 to the farmer, though, in case the farm water is already provided for, it is 

 an added expense. The theory that drinking water should come from wells 

 so far removed from barnyards, pigsties and sewage drains that polution 

 is impossible is not very practical on the farm . 



While many of us are hampered by reasons of environments, finances, 

 time and other causes which prevent us surrounding ourselves with sanitary 

 conditions which are ideal, yet there are few of us perhaps but could in some 

 measure improve our present circumstances. 



Now that we have looked at the prosaic though preeminently essential 

 side of the "Home and its Surroundings," let us turn to the beautiful in 

 nature and see what can be done toward adorning the exterior of the home. 

 Some one has said: "Happy is he who has a home, though it be only four 

 square walls; doubly happy is he if he be the possessor as well of a strip of 

 mother earth that he may have a domain all his own; thrice happy is he if 

 his home grounds are bright with leaf and bud and bloom rejoicing the eye 

 of the passer by and bringing happiness and contentment to the inmates of 

 the home." 



I believe one of the surest ways to keep the youth of our country at home 

 is to broaden their interest in country life and make it so attractive that city 

 life is robbed of its glamor in comparison. Nature appeals to all that is 

 noblest and best in man and the cry of the twentieth century, ''Back to 

 Nature!" is a significant sign of the dawn of the "simple life" of which we 

 hear and read so much. There may be met once in a while one who affects 

 to despise this sentimental nonsense, but there are few who. when surrounded 

 by pretty lawns, clinging vines, beautiful flowers and stately shade and 

 graceful ornamental trees, do not respond to their silent influences, and 

 higher thinking and better living are inevitable results. 



The idea that a home can not be made beautiful unless large and expen- 

 sive, with money at hand to elaborately terrace grounds, and provide 

 fountains, gravel walks and drives and costly summer houses, is certainly a 

 mistaken one. No class of people has such ample opportunities for the 

 adornment of the home grounds as the farmer and yet, in comparison with 

 the advantages he possesses I think I am safe in saying that no people fail 

 to avail themselves of their opportunities as does the farmer along that line. 

 Now that sounds a trifle blunt, but I say it in all kindness, and were it not 

 that I had spent my entire life on the farm, being the daughter and wife of 



