BEAUTIFYING THE HOME GROUNDS 261 



Neatness. Very much of the disorderliness of a 

 farmstead is due to a poor arrangement of farm build- 

 ings. For example, a yard in which live stock have 

 free range should never be placed between the house 



TREES AND SHRUBS GIVE THE HOUSE A MORE PLEASING APPEARANCE 



and barn. A miry barnyard between the house and 

 barn is not only unsightly but inconvenient and dirty. 

 Neatness, too, is one of the necessary conditions to 

 beauty of surroundings. Broken fences and gates 

 should be promptly repaired ; and ashes, tin cans, and 

 other rubbish should not be allowed to accumulate 

 near the house. 



Lawns. A grassy lawn is one of the most important 

 features of a homestead. The lawn should be smooth, 

 well drained, and covered with a carpet of grass. Poul- 

 try are a common cause of unsightly house yards. 

 To prevent grass plots and flower beds from being con- 

 verted into dust baths, and to insure clean walks, chick- 

 ens and other poultry should be excluded from the lawn. 



