8 THE HOME ACRE. 



our relations with Nature and all her varied and 

 health-giving life. The tired man returning from 

 business finds that his excited brain will not cease 

 to act. He can enjoy restoring rest in the com- 

 plete diversion of his thoughts ; he can think of 

 this tree or that plant, and how he can fill to 

 advantage unoccupied spaces with other trees, 

 flowers, and vegetables. If there is a Jersey cow 

 to welcome him with her placid trust, a good 

 roadster to whinny for an airing, and a flock of 

 chickens to clamor about his feet for their supper, 

 his jangling nerves will be quieted, in spite of all 

 the bulls and bears of Wall Street. Best of all, he 

 will see that his children have air and space in 

 which to grow naturally, healthfully. His fruit- 

 trees will testify to his wisdom in providing a 

 country home. For instance, he will observe that 

 if sound plums are left in contact with stung and 

 decaying specimens, they too will be infected ; he 

 will see that too close crowding renders the pros- 

 pect for good fruit doubtful ; and, by natural tran- 

 sition of thought, will be glad that his boys and 

 girls are not shut in to the fortuitous associations 

 of hall-way and street. 



The area of land purchased will depend largely 

 on the desires and purse of the buyer ; but about 

 one acre appears to satisfy the majority of people. 

 This amount is not so great that the business man 



