346 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



SO attractive with little labor and small expenditure of money, those 

 who fail to make the best of their opportunities in this direction not 

 only neglect an important duty but deprive their family of many com- 

 forts and enjoyments. It is well if children can feel that their home 

 is a bower of beauty, with delicious fruits, grassy lawn, flowering 

 shrubs, shady trees and trailing vines. They not only enjoy it in 

 their youth, but in maturer years they will look to it as the dearest 

 place on earth. 



Owing to the difference in area, location of dwelling and general 

 surroundings, no definite plan will be outlined for the adornment of 

 the village lot, but a few suggestions are offered that will apply in 

 most cases. It is important that there be a well kept lawn, as large 

 as conditions will admit of. This should extend a few feet beyond 

 the sidewalk, making what is usually called a parking strip, from 

 eight to twelve feet wide, between the sidewalk and the traveled 

 portion of the street. On this strip should be planted two or more 

 shade trees, the number being regulated by the length of the lot 

 frontage. One or more beds of beautiful flowers will add to the 

 attractiveness of this strip of parking. For the lawn there should 

 be a moderate degree of shade, not too much. Care should be used 

 to not have too much shade. The border lines may be defined with 

 rose bushes and other flowering and ornamental shrubs. 



Even if the plat of ground be small there is generally room on 

 the village lot for a few fruit trees and some small fruit. Fresh 

 home grown fruit is relished by the household, and especially so by 

 the children. Such improvements are not only useful and add to 

 the comfort and pleasure of the family, but they pay as a financial 

 investment, adding to the intrinsic and salable value of the property. 



Nearly all appreciate beauty and utility, and a person seeking 

 for a home will usually pay much more for a place with such sur- 

 roundings than the improvements actually cost. 



It is not the pampered sons of wealth that we hope to reach and 

 benefit, but rather those persons of limited means who can by a 

 little personal attention and well directed labor make the cottage 

 home attractive and the yard a bower of beauty and comfort. 



With efforts properly directed, the modest village home may be 

 made a charming spot, so that we may appreciate and enter into the 

 spirit of the poet, who said, 



"If solid happiness we prize. 

 Within our breast this jewel lies. 

 And they are fools who roam ; 

 The world has nothing to bestow — 

 From our own selves our bliss must flow 

 And that dear hut, our home.'' 



It was many generations ago it was written, "If any provide 

 not for his own house, he is worse than an infidel." 



The sooner one realizes the ceaseless activities and responsibili- 

 ties of life and that well directed efforts and happiness go hand in 



