The Dawning of the New Art 99 



small fruits raised on bushes, grapevines on the per- 

 gola, a rose garden and an abundance of other flowers. 

 There is even the lath house for propagating tender 

 plants. And with all this there is still room for a 

 front lawn. The house itself, of course, is covered with 

 flowering vines. 



Isn't it a dear, such a home within reach of the 

 city payroll and in the midst of all urban advantages? 



Too small? Of course it is. It was made to fit the 

 standard-sized lot in Los Angeles, which was not laid 

 out with full comprehension of the economic plan under- 

 lying this home. The lot should be twice the size a 

 third of an acre; or, still better, three times as large, 

 which would make half an acre. Yet, Professor Shu- 

 feldt says "one-half the living expenses for a family 

 of five persons may be obtained" even from so small 

 a lot organized in this way. It saves, of course, all 

 the rent, and probably half the cost of the food, after 

 allowing for purchase of supplies, including feed for 

 chickens, rabbits and goats, though they are fed in 

 part from the garden. 



True, he is dealing with the gentle climate of Cali- 

 fornia. It will be said: "There, perhaps, but not in 

 Massachusetts or New York." The comment is very 

 natural, yet essentially fallacious. It is perfectly true 

 that the range of production is narrower and the season 

 shorter in most parts of the United States. This is a 

 consideration that does not affect livestock at all. It 

 implies different varieties of trees, but not less fruit; 

 more canning of small fruits and vegetables, but not 

 less of these things to eat. In fact, so far as funda- 

 mentals are concerned, all that can be done in Cali- 

 fornia can be done elsewhere. Intensive cultivation of 



