77 



and glass houses. Of the former there is a supply, and ever- 

 greens predominating, they have naturally given the name to 

 the place. So numerous are they that they protect each other 

 and all about them. As screens to secure and perfect fruits? 

 they are of great service, unless the source of too much damp- 

 ness. It is incredible to an unobserver of the facts, how per- 

 ceptibly masses of trees affect temperature and moisture. 

 Where land is plenty and cheap it is singular that groves and 

 screens are not oftener planted. 



Whei'e trees are trimmed to hedges, they become ornament- 

 al divisions, or borders, are easily cared for, and add much to 

 the value of any place. AVe have hedges of the Norvt^ay 

 spruce, hemlock, arbor vita;, holly, weigelia, honey locust, and 

 cornus sanguinea. 



Artificial ponds, like hedges, on a place called a farm, may 

 be viewed by some as superfluities. To others they are a great 

 source of pleasure, and not unprofitable. We long since dis- 

 carded the dunghill fowl as too troublesome, and find water 

 fowls more remunerative in themselves, while they decoy val- 

 uable wild game instead of hawks. The question has also 

 been settled by cultivators of fish, that an acre of water sur- 

 face may be made to pay better than an acre of land merely. 



Glass houses also compensate, except to the exclusively 

 utilitarian, whose income is only in dollars and cents. We 

 have been many years building three of these, thereby obviat- 

 ing much extra labor, and at the same time have some of the 

 most scientific and convenient structures in the country, un- 

 surpassed for the purposes intended. We thus have employ- 

 ment for self and family the year round, and with only one 

 man for help, quite enough of a good thing — care. 



It might be deemed presumption to present a farm of six- 

 teen acres to the consideration of your Committee, had not 

 one of only fifteen been offered and accepted last year. It is, 

 however, on the idea of " ten acres enough," " a small farm 

 well tilled," and the like, that it is undoubtedly justified. 



Our profit and excellence, if any, have not been in the 



