HOMESTEAD LANDSCAPES. 159 



in this — do not plan to grade it too mucli ; aim simply to smooth 

 the surface, retaining all prominent or curious rocks and native 

 shrubbery. 



It is an almost universal fact that lawns in our Eastern States are 

 too small. In other sections they seem to understand this point 

 better, and do not hesitate to devote several acres to this use, and 

 certainly no one item can contribute more of an air of elegance to 

 even a humble place, than an extensive opening around the dwell- 

 ing. To get this, it is oftentimes necessary to throw the fields 

 adjacent to the house into one large enclosure. 



The general outlines of a plan are perhaps all that one can 

 secure in the first draft. A few groups of shrubber}' can be in- 

 dicated, in what might be called naturally fit positions, such as at 

 the divergence of paths, at the ends or sides of rocks, at the base 

 of cliffs, or as screens to outbuildings, etc. ; but the details must be 

 left to future development. 



We find many instances of partially well planned homes through- 

 out the country-, the house and the immediate grounds affording 

 pleasing examples of what refined taste, aided by wealth, can 

 create, but the care of the occupant having gone no further, unless 

 in building miles of useless stone walls. But I would have the re- 

 sults of an artistic directing mind apparent over the whole farm, 

 no less than in the dwelling and immediately about the door. The 

 same careful planning should be given to ever}' acre of the land, 

 not perhaps with a view to equally elaborate embellisliment, but to 

 get it out of the rough state into one more refined — as park-like 

 and artistic as possible. 



Have the kindness at this point not to judge me too hastily and 

 accuse me of fostering ideas of fancy farming, but bear with me 

 awhile, and I will endeavor to show that it is practical farming 

 that I advocate, adapted to practical New England, where every 

 day must be made to count as a bread-and-butter day. A leisurely 

 saunter over the farm will suggest a multitude of changes, which 

 would enhance the working advantages Of the place and the 

 pecuniary interest of the owner. 



A bit of old wall, with stumps of broken bar-posts rising from 

 moss-filled turf, and a growth of red osier standing gallantly over 

 all — these make a subject for a vei'y pretty picture to display on 

 one's library wall ; but the actual presence on the farm of a 

 long line of such fencing will hardlv be attractive. It gener- 



