MY FARM OF EDGEWOOD 



them, an idea for their conversion to other 

 uses struck me, and fructified at once. I 

 bought a cord or two at a nominal cost, and 

 commenced the work of covering my disjointed 

 and slatternly outbuildings with these rough 

 slabs. It was a simple business, requiring only 

 even nailing, with here and there a little "fur- 

 ring out" to bring the old angles to a square, 

 with here and there the deft turning of a rude 

 arch, with two crooked bits, over door or win- 

 dow. Farm laborers, under direction, were 

 fully competent to the work; and in a couple 

 of days I had converted my unsightly build- 

 ings into very tasteful, rustic affairs, harmo- 

 nizing with the banks of foliage behind and 

 over them, and giving capital foothold to the 

 vines which I planted around them. 



In keeping with their effect, I caused gates 

 to be constructed of the cheapest material, 

 from the cedar thickets; varying these in de- 

 sign, and yet making each so simple as to ad- 

 mit of easy imitation, and to unite strength, 

 solidity, and cheapness. If, indeed, these latter 

 qualities could not be united, the work would 

 not at all meet the end I had in view — which 

 was not merely to produce a pretty effect, but to 

 demonstrate the harmony of such decorative 

 work with true farm economy. One often 



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