THE SMALL COUNTRY PLACE 



CHAPTER I 



THE SUBURBAN HOME ; ADVANTAGES OF 

 LIVING IN THE COUNTRY 



THE ideal place to live is in the country, even 

 though one's business is in the city. In the 

 country one is more independent, and free 

 from much of the formalism and many of the whims 

 of modern society; and may have elbow room, so to 

 speak, with pure fresh air on every side, and quiet 

 from the constant interruptions of the crowds encoun- 

 tered in a busy and bustling city. Too many of our 

 people are crowded into the limited space of the cities 

 and never see the broad and beautiful fields and wooded 

 hills, or breathe the pure air that is laden with the 

 rich perfume of the fields and woods. They know 

 nothing of birds and flowers, the wonders of plant 

 and animal life, or the broadening effect of daily 

 contact with Nature in her various moods. 



With the modern methods of travel one may live in 

 the country and work or attend to an established busi- 

 ness, often requiring but a few hours each day, and have 

 the remaining time to devote to the garden, growing 

 fruits or vegetables, caring for poultry, bees, etc. He 

 can thus have an abundance of fresh fruit and vege- 

 tables, milk, poultry, eggs, etc., for his own table, the 

 supply of neighbors, or the local market. A small gar- 

 den skilfully cared for may be made to produce a won- 



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