RENOVATING AND IMPROVING OLD HOMES. 107 



be used, and the tools, teams, and labor with which to bring 

 about the ornamental results. 



Our Farmers Cultivate Too Much Land. 



Most of our farmers cultivate too much land, and they 

 would in many cases grow rich faster if they cultivated less 

 land and planted the less productive places, the odd bits, 

 the rough stony fields and abrupt slopes, the small irregular 

 lots in the angles formed by roads or fence lines, with trees 

 that would be a source of beauty and in time add value to 

 the property. Such decoration would be a source of pleasure 

 to those doing the work and to all of the occupants of the 

 home, and the pleasant associations and memories of the 

 farm home, where beauty and utility are thus combined, 

 will do much to make home the dearest of all places, and 

 especially prevent the young men from leaving the farm 

 for city life. 



The rules for planting, arrangement, and care of trees 

 and shrubs to be followed in this work are given in previous 

 chapters. Many unsightly objects can be easily hidden 

 from view, and the more beautiful features in the picture 

 from the dwelling be brought out more prominently and 

 improved. 



Windbreaks for the house and other buildings may be 

 easily provided, as well as shelter for the stock in the pas- 

 ture against the fierce storms of spring and autumn and 

 the burning sun of the summer. 



A few majestic oaks, chestnuts, or other spreading trees 

 in the pasture, or here and there dotted about the farm or 

 near the buildings, add much to the beauty and character 

 of the farm landscape, and every effort possible should be 



