OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES 



care and keeping? Most unquestionably, if 

 there be a reasonable amount of smooth tillable 

 land, and average fertility, and no woful mis- 

 management. If, however, "care and keep- 

 ing are understood to imply the introduction 

 of gravelled walks in all directions, and 

 trenching for shrubbery, agricultural returns 

 will scarcely pay for the weeding and the wa- 

 tering. Luxuries are luxuries all the world 

 over, and must be paid for out of hand. 

 What I count legitimate care and keeping, is 

 such management as shall insure a gradual 

 cumulative fertility to the cultivated portions, 

 a neat and orderly air to the necessary buildings 

 and walks, and a gradual but positive develop- 

 ment of those features which contribute most 

 to its attractiveness as a place of residence. 



As for the proceeds of a sudden sale grow- 

 ing out of disgust with the rural enterprise, I 

 should hope that a man — or a woman either — 

 might be duly punished for such vacillation 

 of purpose. 'Twould be a good ethical result 

 whatever might be its economics to the Urban 

 adventurers. Any such quick-coming disgust 

 arises, I think, in the majority of instances, 

 from the lay out of more considerable im- 

 provements than can be thoroughly kept in 

 hand or matured : and it is needless to say that 



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