XI. SURROUNDINGS OF THE HOME 



THE GARDEN, AND ITS CARE 



A home garden for the dweller in town may have a greater 

 worth to its possessor than any mere savings in garden 

 produce. A healthful diet is very likely to include for most 

 people plenty of vegetables in season, whether from a garden 

 on the farm or in town, whether raised by the consumer or 

 purchased in market. But wholly aside from this fact, and 

 from the pleasures that come through the care and cultiva- 

 tion of growing plants, the physical exercise involved in 

 garden work is unexcelled in its benefits. Out-of-door work 

 in the garden and on the home premises, together with an 

 hour's walk a day, is an amount of exercise that is not only 

 desirable for the average town-dweller, but is usually possible 

 to anyone in connection with the ordinary round of life. 

 The value of a garden as a place in which to get physical 

 invigoration and mental clearness, especially during the 

 morning hours, is too commonly underrated. Regular hours 

 for labor that have in them as an incentive something that is 

 worth while furnish an assurance of continued good health 

 and of a life that is efficient to the last. In the commonplace 

 affairs of everyday life, especially in connection with a well- 

 kept home and its surroundings, are to be found pleasures 

 and contentment not possible elsewhere. 



A liking for plants, and an appreciation of their important 



part in the enjoyments of life, comes in large measure through 



care for them and from the responsibilities that this care 



involves. The boy or girl who grows up in town or city with- 



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