434 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



It is difficult to change the sentiments and ways of people who 

 have reached middle age or crossed its threshold. Their habits of 

 thought and action are so fixed that there is but little hope that they 

 will view things in any light but their own. Any one who has reached 

 that limit and remained indifferent to beautifying the external part 

 of their homes will probably continue to do so to the end of the 

 chapter. But if there are any young couples present who are just 

 starting homes of their own, I would urge them to make it a part of 

 their plan to regard the grounds around the house as much a part 

 of the home as the parlor or kitchen. Lay them out with an eye to 

 beauty, convenience and comfort. First of all, keep them clean and 

 neat. Set out trees, evergreens, and just enough of the substantial 

 varieties of flowers to be a pleasure but not a burden in their care. 

 There are a few flowers, such as lilacs, snowballs, paeonies, roses, 

 that are so beautiful and make such a pretty effect in the yard, and 

 still are so hardy as to require little labor in their care. 



It seems but natural for the wife to take the lead in the plans for 

 beautifying the home ; and there are few men who can not be led by 

 their wives into feeling an interest and pride in the outward beauty 

 of the home, and be willing to do the hard work for its attainment. 

 And this interest is like every other good thing, it grows with en- 

 couragement and practice. 



We believe there is no part of the farm where the labor and 

 money expended brings more comfort and satisfaction than in im- 

 proving and beautifying the grounds around the house. 



IMPROVEMENT OF PRIVATE GROUNDS. 



C. C DIKE, WHITE BEAR UKE. 



It is very hard to make an attractive place without something in 

 or around it that is attractive, something as a central point, in itself 

 beautiful and pleasing. In private grounds the dwelling house is 

 naturally this central attraction. It should be a good building fully 

 meeting the wants or requirements of the owner and should contain 

 in its structure something characteristic of the person and suited 

 to the location. I once asked a man if he was going to build. "Oh, 

 yes," he said, "as soon as his architect could give him a house." 

 What he meant was he wanted a house that filled the needs of the 

 man and adapted to the location. 



Now having secured a house suited to the location and in- 

 dividuality of the owner, well built and containing lines of archi- 

 tectural beauty, one is ready to beautify and adorn the grounds. 

 The teeming millions of human beings have differences enough in 

 their features to be easily recognized by their friends, and the group- 



