1896.] ESSAYS. 53 



land, ill tlio ivinoval of stones and stumps, clearing of ln'usli, ditching 

 and draining, building or rebuilding of walls or fences, improvements 

 of the farm buildings, and addition to the stock or implements of hus- 

 bandry, he feels that he has made some perceptible progress. But, if 

 we will give it a second thought, we will find that the principal object 

 has been to increase the facilities for securing a greater revenue from 

 the farming operations. 



Would it not be well. to direct some of this thought and energy to 

 the improvement of the home ground, where the advantages and pleas- 

 ures it affords the occupants of the home are not measured by dollars 

 and cents, but by an appreciation, to which the home-makers within 

 bear their constant testimony, and to whom we are under every obliga- 

 tion to contribute our best efforts to secure to them the greatest com- 

 fort and happiness. 



I have not touched upon the orchard and fruit garden, and the part 

 they contribute to the household economy. Other writers and speak- 

 ers have been over that ground times without luimber, and it must be 

 admitted, without appearing to be discourteous, that in arranging 

 subjects for consideration at our State Board meetings. Institutes, 

 F'armers' Clubs, and Grange meetings, the tendency has been almost 

 wholly in the direction of treating upon those questions that have to do 

 with our material prosperity, while the home and its comforts within, 

 and attractions and external surroundings, are rarely brought forward 

 with that prominence that their importance would seem to demand. 



If I may be permitted to allude to matters somewhat personal in 

 their nature, I will say that these noble examples of devotion to tree 

 life that have come under my observation in my travels, and particu- 

 larly in the " City of Elms " and all up and down the beautiful Valley of 

 the Connecticut, have been an inspiration to me to contribute my share 

 in advancing this line of work whenever and wherever an opportunity 

 afforded. I may here add that I have not had to wait long for an 

 opportunity to offer, for I was many years ago called to accept a posi- 

 tion on the Board of Parks Commissioners of my owu City of Worces- 

 ter. 



One important feature of this work is the planting of the shade trees 

 along our city thoroughfares,* and since my first connection with this 

 work over thirty miles of streets have been covered, using over eight 



*To avoid misapprehension, it may he well to state that the planting of 

 Shade-Trees and their supervision is vested in the Parlis-Commissiou of4the 

 City and cannot be delegated. Tliere has been a contract with Mr. Draper 

 for years and it is due to him to say that it has been f ultilled faithfully. 



E. W. L. 

 5 



