THE "ILLINOIS WAY" OF BEAUTIFYING THE FARM 



27 



91. Before Landlord and Tenant Become Friends 



Bad for both, bad for the land, and bad for future generations. We need a better 

 system of tenantry, at least as good as that of northern Italy. And it must grow out of 

 the "Illinois system of permanent agriculture." 



are real Illinois country gentlemen who have permanent homes 

 and well-planted grounds, and these improvements have come 

 out of Illinois farms, not city speculation. Is the rising genera- 

 tion willing to live in the cramped, cheerless, citified farmhouses 

 and bare grounds of today (see Fig. 86), or do the children 

 aim at something more permanent, comfortable, and fitting? 



WHAT YOU CAN GET FOR NOTHING 



The best ornamental plants that any Illinois farmer can use 

 may be had for the cost of digging; viz., Illinois trees, shrubs, 

 vines, and flowers. Dig only where there are too many plants 

 for their own good. Do not rob the public. Ask permission of 

 private owners, and do not be greedy. Can't you find within 

 ten miles of your home all the plants shown in Fig. 110? 

 Beginning at the upper left corner, they are: Flowering dog- 

 wood to frame the view of your house; American bluebells, 

 to restore charm to your woods; white pines, to make a digni- 



92. After Landlord and Tenant Become Friends 



The landlord supplies the paint; the tenant the labor. The landlord gives a dollar's 

 worth of seeds; the tenant raises the flowers. T he landlord opens his eyes to native beauty; 

 the tenant digs vines from the woods. Both arc richer, happier, better. Time one year. 



A Few Trees 



93. What You Can Get for the Price of a Hog 



Here are two Illinois farms which prove that a few trees make all the difference between 

 a house and a home a place to work and a place to live. These trees cost originally about 

 $17 to $22. 1 hey were planted without any plan or reason but they are better than nothing 

 because trees increase in value every year. Plant some trees now. Sell a hog and have 

 some beauty! 



94. Unplanted Street in Somerville, Mass. 



"This street and the next were built by the same real-estate dealers. The houses are 



a 1 exactly alike, but those on the implanted street rent for $300 a year while those on the e, s e proi e , 



planted street rent for $420. The renters gladly pay the 40 per cent more for the privilege yiejds him a net profit of $330, which is 57 per cent more than on the Unplanted street 

 ol living on the planted street. The beautiful street actually cost less than this ugly one. This is unanswerable proof of the cash profit in planning streets and planting trees." 

 became the curbstone on this street, which is unnecessary, cost more than all the trees and (Signed) Loring Underwood, Landscape Architect, lioston. 

 shrubs on ihe planted street." 



95. Planted Street in Somerville, Mass. 



"Assuming the cost of each house as $3,000 and the landlord's yearly expenses as 3 per 

 cent, his net profit is $210 a year from each implanted house, while each planted house 



