12 FARM HOMES, IN-DOORS AND OUT-DOORS. 



and placed near the curve of the carriage-way, a spacious 

 sweep of beautiful turf sloping away to meet the darker 

 verdure of a leafy hedge, a few firs or pines planted 

 where winter sunsets may glow through them these 

 and similarly simple "landscape" touches add wonder- 

 fully "to the attractions of a farm-house, and mark the 

 difference between the intelligent and progressive farmer 

 and the dull plodder who never lifts his eyes above the 

 ground, and believes in letting well enough alone. 



THE PLAN. 



After the site is decided upon, and one knows the 

 point of compass he is to face which I sincerely hope is 

 squarely south or squarely east, or squarely anywhere, 

 rather than a disagreeable "bias," which always makes 

 the sun seem out of gear and the pole-star hopelessly 

 dislodged let the plans be brought out and studied for a 

 while. 



Here, among house-plans, a worthy field is open to 

 women. They, who live so constantly within doors, 

 should have a controlling voice in all interior arrange- 

 ments. They know, or ought to know, how a certain 

 number of rooms can be planned, so as to secure con- 

 venience and cheerfulness to their occupants, and they 

 will naturally be more thoughtful, as ^architects, of all 

 details pertaining to comfort, and the easier carrying on 

 of household routine. The man-mind always means 

 well, as a general thing, but it is sometimes too grand to 

 focus itself upon an easy angle in a staircase, a corner- 

 cupboard, the one best place for the pantry-window, or 

 the extra door that saves so many steps for tired feet. 

 Things like these would be taken into consideration, if 

 women would plan their own homes, or, at any rate, 

 have a voice in regard to some of the details of home- 

 building. It ought to enter into every woman's education 

 to know how to plan a thoroughly cheerful, convenient, 



