HOMESTEAD LANDSCAPES. 161 



These comparatively or wholly barren spots are found more o r 

 less upon all our farms. They cannot be given away, for unfor- 

 tunately they are scattered about like bad men in a community ; 

 not in one section where they can be set aside by a dividing line. 



A plan for farm improvement must necessarily embrace many of 

 these unattractive spots ; but if j'ou will give them proper thought 

 and care the}' can be made to produce five per cent and possi- 

 bh' seven per cent annual profit on their taxed valuation, at the 

 same time presenting to the eye an attractive picture both in sum- 

 mer and winter. If thoughtful care will do this — and hundreds of 

 men are ready to testify that it will — there should be no hesitation 

 in adding, on our plan, a marginal note to plant these unprofit- 

 able places with suitable trees — larch, pine, hemlock, chestnut, 

 or whatever variety seems best suited to the spot. 



Developing our plan still further, let it embrace good solid farm 

 roads, to be so laid out as to render the greatest number of fields 

 accessible. This will naturally include the filling in of low wet 

 spots, and the grading of steep ascents. Should a running stream 

 be crossed bj' this internal highway, design a strong substan- 

 tial bridge with a rustic railing (which is cheaper and handsomer 

 than one of finished timbers), and do not be content with a ford. 



Plan to clear away bushes from roadsides and to replace them 

 with trees ; plan for trees in pastures, on steep hill-sides, and in all 

 the more inaccessible corners. Include here and there a close 

 planted evergreen hedge or windbreak for exposed situations ; in 

 short go over the farm till you are familiar with every rod you 

 own, and have some well matured plan for its improvement. 



A pretty plan on paper, with neat marginal notes, as described, 

 would be looked upon by many as a "castle in Spain," or in 

 that yet more indefinite localit}' — the air. And this, in truth, is 

 what the plan itself is. But I believe in air castles ; I regard 

 them as most excellent property ; I believe that all good business 

 men build them ; yet they do not rest there, but strive to bring 

 them down to a terrestrial foundation. 



, We do not use adages and proverbs as much as our ancestors 

 did, but a few still linger in daily use, among them one that up- 

 holds me in my proposition ; it is this: "Well begun is half 

 done." A well considered plan means not onl}' sj'stematic work, 

 but economical work. The great advantage of such a plan is that 

 not one stroke of work will be lost ; each part can be worked to 

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