HOW TO ADORN HOME GROUNDS. 285 
zine, so our members may have an opportunity of studying the 
subject. It will certainly be profitable employment. 
Pres. Underwood: We are glad to have this interesting sub- 
ject talked upon. It is one that interests me very much, too. 
I remember how often I have seen farm buildings, as well as 
buildings in our cities located without any thought as to im- 
proving their surroundings. I shall never forget the visit I 
paid a farm belonging to a very intelligent farmer. The first 
place I came to when I reached the place was the barnyard. — 
I had to open a gate to drive through the barnyard, and 
then I hitched my horse in the barnyard with the possibility 
of having him kicked to death by the other horses; and then I 
had to open a gate and go through the hogyard, and finally I 
came to the yard where the house was located. Of course, not 
all farmhouses are so situated, but a great many of them have 
no suggestion of beauty or adornment about them. I hope 
every one who takes our magazine will have the privilege of 
reading this article and seeing how these grounds are laid out 
and get the benefit of these suggestions. 
Mr. Elliot: Doubtless this farmyard which the president 
has so graphically described was one that was arranged with 
a special view to keeping out tree peddlers. (Laughter.) But, 
setting aside all joking, how many times do we see in the. 
prairie and in the wooded countries how by a little taste and 
effort they could arrange their buildings in suitable locations 
and with a little labor and time they could make pleasant homes 
that would be surrounded by trees and in after years would be 
cheerful and beautiful. I think, as a general rule, the farmers 
of Minnesota do not give these things enough thought and 
attention. It takes but alittle time to plant a tree and a 
little exercise—but most of you have trees right in your groves, 
or they are to be found in almost any locality. Of course, those 
people who are engaged in the nursery business or in garden- 
ing appreciate these things more than does the average farmer, 
but some of the farmers have wives who have tastes in this 
direction, and they will be interested in having some orna- 
mentation around their homes. 
Mr. Pearce: I am located in a place where there is much 
pride taken in trees and yards. It is a subject that I have 
studied a great deal. Ihave a great many trees growing in my 
grounds. Trees should be arranged in a certain way. The 
various trees should be put out with a special object in view. 
You must have a variety of trees, but variety isnot all. There 
