34 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



hive is surrounded by burdocks. Some clothes poles and a few 

 old boards complete the scene of desolation in front of the house. 

 In the side yard, what there is that is green is plantain and chick- 

 weed. A rambling wood-pile occupies four times as much space 

 as necessarj^, while the chip litter is being well scattered, and some 

 gaunt, half-grown chickens, an old sleigh bodj^ a rusty plow, a 

 weather-beaten wagon, a log half hewn years ago, and a horse- 

 rake minus one wheel, have conspicuous positions. A door has 

 blown from the barn ; the pigpen was built at many different times 

 of as many different qualities of boards, and has a demoralized 

 shed as a sort of annex. In front of this estate are the brier- 

 guarded relics of a stone wall, in a condition of innocuous desue- 

 tude. At one side of the gap used as an entrance, a luxuriance of 

 Canada thistles is growing up through the remains of a pile of coi'd- 

 wood. At the other side of the entrance is a cart and an old 

 sled ; while across the road, among the nettles and pigweed, 

 some old wheels and a harrow are leaned against the wall. The 

 glare of the sun seems hotter and more merciless from the 

 barrenness and disorder on which it strikes. 



Turn now to another picture. No fences or walls separate this 

 house from the street or fields, A rich, evenly-shaved lawn 

 stretches from the house to the travelled portion of the highway 

 and sweeps back in all directions till it merges into the farm land. 

 Handsome trees and thrifty shrubs cast fantastic shadows across 

 the lawn, giving its velvety green many delicate tints. The house 

 is neatly painted and at the front door is a rustic porch covered 

 with a wistaria, while a canopy of morning glories shields the 

 back door from the sun.. Under the windows are a few roses and 

 near the side of the house is the flower garden, brilliant with 

 color. A good driveway leads to the building. Rows of noble 

 trees adorn the smooth roadside. An air of mingled comfort and 

 beaut}'' pervades the whole scene. It is rich and elegant. A 

 feeling of rest comes over us as we study its many attractions. 

 The park-like effect rivals that of costly expenditures in large 

 cities which produce no more romantic or picturesque results. No 

 great expense has been incurred ; nothing has been required but 

 a little energy, thrift, and taste. These two pictures are views 

 of the same estate at different times, and this great transforma- 

 tion has been wrought by care in little things and cultivating a love 

 of the beautiful. 



