THE FARM HOME 307 



The lawn should be plowed and seeded early in time 

 for the spring rains to start the grass. The farm lawns 

 may suffer during a dry summer, but under ordinary condi- 

 tions they will do well, if the soil is kept rich by an oc- 

 casional dressing of well rotted manure. 



Desirable paths may be made of gravel or sand. 



A few good shade trees and ornamental shrubs add much 

 to the appearance of a farm yard, and there is no reason 

 why Arbor Day cannot be observed on the farms and many 

 desirable trees set out. Soft maple makes a very beautiful 

 shade tree and is of reasonably quick growth. The elm is 

 a popular tree for the yard or driveway. The box elder is 

 commonly used and makes very rapid growth. 



Modem conveniences in the home are now as easily 

 available in the country as in the city. The septic, tank 

 provides just as satisfactory means for disposing of sewage 

 as a sewer system. A septic tank may be built for a few 

 dollars on any farm. Gasoline engines for pumping and 

 pressure tanks or other systems of water supply are no 

 more expensive in the country than in the city. These 

 things make it entirely practical to have modern homes in 

 the country and wherever such conveniences can be afforded 

 they should be installed. They save work in the house 

 just as much as improved machinery saves it in the fields. 

 A modern home in which there is running water, a good 

 heating plant and electric or gas hghts will do much to 

 make the farm home attractive to both young and old. 

 Questions: 



1. Give as many reasons as you can why a neat, orderly farm 

 home is preferable. 



2. What is the first step in improving the appearance of a farm 

 home? 



3. Tell what you can about starting a lawn. 



4. Write what you can about shade trees. 

 Arithmetic: 



1. How many cubic yards of black earth are required to cover a 

 lawn 100 ft. square 1 in. thick? 



2. If it takes an hour to mow a lawn, 100 ft. square, and it must 

 be mowed 18 times during the summer, how many hours of time are 

 required? How much is this time worth at 15c. per hour? 



3. How far would one have to walk to mow a lawn 100 feet 

 square, with a lawn mower that cuts a swath 16 inches wide? 



