THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



York, and in the Southern States, for these indi- 

 viduaHties to express themselves through nature. 



If you have not a glen, or a gorge, or wild forest 

 edge, you will find that you have something, or can 

 create something, that will be characteristic of your- 

 self, and expressive of rest. Nature is all the time 

 trying to help you. In New England the rocks give 

 grottoes, or the overhanging grapevines create ar- 

 bors. In the West I have seen along the roadsides 

 gypsy encampments of wild thorn — apples and 

 wild grapes. Underneath these the cows would 

 hide to enjoy the dense shade. One such thorn 

 tree alone is beautiful, but a corner of your pasture, 

 arbored over in this way, is as good for your 

 animals as sweet grass and fresh water. 

 v> Nothing is more important about a country 

 home than provision for sports and games. This 

 should not be left to the ingenuity of the children 

 to provide, but tennis and croquet grounds and 

 athletic fields should constitute a provision in lay- 

 ing out your property. Lawn tennis is easily in- 

 troduced, a game that creates litheness of body, 

 with an easy cooperation of mind and eye. It is 

 a peculiarly instructive game, while croquet goes 

 directly to teach accuracy of judgment. I have 



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