476 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Oct. 



with a better dwelling only, — but its surroundings 

 must be brought into keeping with it, and make 

 the whole harmonize, — mind, dwelling and sur- 

 roundings. So the fences are constructed with 

 taste and precision, whether of stone or wood ; 

 shade trees are planted ; rubbish of all kinds dis- 

 appears from the door-yards, and a smooth and 

 velvety lawn smiles in its place, kept even by 

 grazing cows on their way from pasture to stall ; 

 a piece of land is set apart for garden purposes, 

 into which a few hardy shrubs are introduced, with 

 small fruits, asparagus and other esculents, and a 

 A'arlety of apples, coming into use from July to 

 July. So far as profit is concerned, there is prob- 

 ably no investment of money and labor on the 

 farm that yields so much, — for a skillful house- 

 keeper will draw from this source and the pork- 

 barrel a principal supply for the table for several 

 months in the year. The Garden on the farm is 

 one of the happy changes that has taken place, 

 and was observable all along our route. 



The cheerful influences of better buildings and 

 productive gardens have developed a taste for the 

 cultivation of flowers, 



"WhoBe voiceless lips are living preachers, — 

 Each cup a pulpit, and each leaf a book, 



Supplying to the fancy numerous teachers, 

 From lowliest nook." 



There is scarcely a farm-house now but has its 

 flowers. In a little, tasteful garden, in the front 

 yard, on the window-sill, or in pots on the gate- 

 posts, a few hardy plants may everywhere be seen. 

 They give a pleasant and cheerful aspect to the 

 homestead, and greatly attract the attention of the 

 traveller as he passes along. What their influence 

 is — combined with the other changes already no- 

 ticed — was immediately obvious upon entering 

 dwellings and mingling with the family. 



The first thing noticeable was a refinement of 

 manners. A modest address and graceful self- 

 possession generally assured us that we were cor- 

 dially received into the circle. There was little 

 restraint in the presence of a stranger, conversa- 

 tion flowed naturally, and with an elegance of ex- 

 pression, that showed greater advancement than 

 any of the physical signs we have mentioned. The 

 common schools, however, have had much to do 

 with this. As an interesting conversation cannot 

 flow from barren minds, it soon became apparent 

 that a general education had been attended to, for 

 wherever we conversed, we found State and Na- 

 tional afi'airs were understood, and if, fortunately, 

 literary or scientific matters were introduced, some 

 one was present, able to speak with interest upon 

 them. 



A third thing noticeable was that of dress. We 

 scarcely saw a slovenly and ill-dressed farmer in 

 our whole travel. The dress of the men is plain 

 and substantial, — and that of the women tasty and 



becoming, with the exception of a rather too strong 

 desire, everywhere, to bow submissively at the 

 shrine of fashion ! There is no hill so high, or 

 hamlet so remote, no dwelling so humble, or 

 means so restricted, in our rural population, that 

 fashion does not find its devotees, and lead to 

 some extravagances. A correspondent, in anoth- 

 er column, states that the cost of the imported 

 flowers for ladies' bonnets is greater than that of 

 the railroad ir6n we use ! We like to see people 

 well clad ; that is, that garments shall be well 

 made of excellent materials, and properly fitted to 

 the person. But the ear and nose-jewels, — the 

 eighteen yards in the skirt of a dress, — the hoops 

 two or three yards in diameter, — with whole rows 

 of staring dahlias under the bonnet, and tiers of 

 "bouncing bess" on top, we utterly eschew. A 

 good bonnet used to cost $5 ; a good one now 

 $15 to $25. Upon the whole, however, our farm- 

 ers dress better, all things considered, than they 

 formerly did. 



But the quality that crowns all the other graces 

 to which we have adverted, is the sincere respect 

 and regard for religion, which was everywhere 

 manifested by those with whom we were so happy 

 as to have much conversation. This gives assur- 

 ance that the other virtues cited are based upon a 

 permanent foundation, and will be handed down 

 to generations yet unborn, to bless and exalt the 

 race. 



We are clearly of the conviction, therefore, that 

 among the farmers of Massachusetts of to-day, 

 there are 



1. Less temptations to vice than formerly. 



2. That their buildings are better. 



3. They have better gardens, and a greater va- 



riety of wholesome food. 



4. That the almost universal cultivation oiflon^ers 



indicates a refined taste and higher intellec- 

 tual attainments. 



And that, consequent upon these, there exist — 



1. Better education ; 



2. Better manners ; 



3. Better dress ; and 



4. More true religion. 

 Notwithstanding the cheerful views we have 



taken above, of the condition of the farmers in the 

 western part of the State, we are sensible that 

 these improvements have come with slow and fee- 

 ble steps, and that they ought to be far beyond 

 what they really are. In a future article, we may 

 offer some opinions showing why the progress has 

 not been still more decided and beneficial to the 

 farmers of that region. 



Boiled Corn for Hogs and other Stock. - 

 Wm. Van Loom, writing to the Prairie Farmer, 

 says that he has practiced feeding boiled co^n to 



