2d February, A. D. 1893. 



ESSAY 



BY 



Mrs. FANNIE E. POTTER, ov Worcester. 

 Theme: — ^'' Round About Our Homes." 



" Roimd About Ouv Homes" is a broad and moving subject. It is 

 broad enough to admit us into the interior of our houses, and to allow 

 us to view them from the outside ; but I purpose in this essay to 

 leave our houses unmolested, and make some notes by the way as we 

 draw near to and go round about them. In these times, when so 

 many people know how to beautify their home grounds, it is almost 

 presumption for any one to undertake to instruct others in an art 

 which they understand so well themselves. Every homestead, like 

 every person, has its own characteristics, which requires distinctive 

 treatment in its outward adornments. One place is usually larger or 

 smaller than its neighboring estates, its location different, the trees 

 and buildings thereon are also situated differently, and the grade of 

 the soil is frequently so dissimilar that what would be a proper 

 arrangement of walks, flowers and shrubs in it would be a very poor 

 arrangement in another place. This difference in location and indi- 

 vidual tastes of the owners of different estates serves the good pur- 

 pose of making a variety in our street scenery. 



Then I can only offer a few suggestions as to the general treatment 

 of our home grounds which, in any event, are only to be considered 

 general principles, to be applied in the absence of better ideas. I 

 make no claim to special knowledge in this matter, and these sugges- 

 tions only represent my present views on the subject, and I fear they 

 are amateurish and incorrect in many particulars. However, they 

 are like the advice of a Congregational Council, in that they are 

 expected lo have only so much force as there is reason in tliem ; and 

 therefore, with this understanding, and reserving to myself the light 



