BUILDING. 11 



possibly be an hereditary trait, coining down from that 

 long ago time, when houses grew up along the faintly- 

 marked trails of emigration, and closely clung there, as 

 if in mortal fear of savages and wild animals lurking in 

 the back-ground. But in these peaceful days, it is in 

 better taste to sit back in a leisurely and composed way, 

 as if not afraid of one's own fields and woodlands, but at 

 home and happy with them. Let no site be chosen be- 

 cause of its proximity to the road, or because it is 

 " handy to water." Select the finest spot on the farm 

 a place combining, if possible, elevation, eastern and 

 southern frontage, natural trees, a pleasant outlook, and 

 make all else conform to it: 



If there is a stream of water or a lake in the vicinity, 

 try to have a glimpse of it for the living-room windows. 

 A landscape without a bit of water in it is almost as piti- 

 ful as the face of a blind man, as any one will testify who 

 has once lived by babbling brooks or near the shores of 

 lake or ocean. 



There are opportunities for improving all building 

 sites. The farmer priding himself upon his " good, 

 hard common sense," may sneer at the term "landscape 

 gardening," but properly pruned trees, a well-ktpt 

 stretch of turf, and shrubberies planted in the right 

 place, are just as much to his credit as a good barn or 

 staunch fences. Landscape gardening need not neces- 

 sarily mean littering one's grounds with rubbishy rock- 

 eries and puny evergreens, or cutting them up with de- 

 vious paths and drives. To bring the best into notice, 

 and to soften or put out of sight that which is not attrac- 

 tive, is all that is required. Simple but correct touches 

 will tell. A light foot-bridge thrown over the brook 

 where it winds into view between the willows of the mea- 

 dow, two or three rustic seats grouped under some near 

 shade tree, a great vase (made of a section of hollow 

 N filled and surrounded with hardy, climbing vines, 



