ORNAMENTING HOME GROUNDS. I9 



came under the protection of man. Horns may sometimes be 

 ornamental, but it is evident that they are usually useless, expen- 

 sive and dang^erous luxuries. 



Bulletin No. 42. 

 ORNAMENTING HOME GROUNDS. 



W. M. Munson. 



A constantly recurring problem in New England, is. How 

 shall we keep the boys on the farm? The answer is not easy, 

 but more people are driven from the farm by its isolation, loneli- 

 ness and lack of tasteful surroundings than by any other cause. 

 If the boys and girls go away to the academy for a time and get 

 a taste of village or city life, the contrast when they return to the 

 old farm is often too strong. 



location. 



In building a new house, consider well its location. Don't 

 build where the old one was simply because the barns are there, 

 — though, of course, other things being equal, the barns should 

 be near the house. Healthfulness is of the first importance, so 

 be sure that the location of the residence is such that perfect 

 drainage is secured. Other things being equal, a southern or 

 southeastern aspect is most desirable. 



If possible, make use of natural groves or scattering trees and 

 of shelter-belts or wind breaks, and place your buildings near 

 them. Nothing you can plant will be so satisfactory as the 

 native forest trees. If there is not a natural shelter of trees, by 

 all means provide one. 



the lawn. 



A good lawn is the most essential element of beauty in any 

 grounds and in these days of cheap lawn mowers there is no 

 excuse for not having a neat lawn in front of the humblest dwell- 

 ing. It is very little more work to leave the surface of the 

 ground smooth after the final grading about the buildings than 



