THE SELECTION OF HOME GROUNDS 9 



loam with a sufficient admixture of clay will give the 

 best results of all kinds for the lawns and gardens of 

 home grounds. Clay suffers from drought, and stony 

 soil is difficult to cultivate in the first place, and in the 

 second place is liable to wash into gullies. 



Finally, the author finds himself confronted in the 

 selection of home grounds with the importance of living 

 among people, and of securing the conveniences that tend 

 to make human and kindly everyday existence. Nat- 

 urally, every one must settle what are his needs, in this 

 respect, in accordance with his own taste, for it is just 

 here that personal convenience asserts itself, and most 

 justly, in perfect freedom. Among such outside conve- 

 niences may be mentioned churches, railroad stations, 

 highways, water, street-lighting, and sewerage. 



In the present days of many wide-spread advantages, 

 surely pieces of land, both small and large, can be 

 found, by diligent seeking, that will combine with a rea- 

 sonable amount of beauty and seclusion the essentials of 

 actual comfort and well-being. 



