CHAPTER XXIX 

 BEAUTIFYING HOME GROUNDS 



Too often the country home gives the appearance of neglect. 

 Some owners seem to think that a well kept place is only for city 

 people. On the other hand, the country home should be beautified. 

 Improvements should be made by planting of shrubs, shade trees, 

 care of lawns, painting buildings, using vines to cover unsightly 

 objects, laying out of walks and roads, surfacing these with good 

 wearing material, terracing slopes, providing proper drains where 

 water washes, etc. 



Educational Value of Beautifying. — Children need to be trained 

 in the sense of appreciation of the beautiful. If they are surrounded 

 by unsightly objects they are unconsciously trained to like such 

 things. If, however, they are surrounded by beautiful grounds 

 and their attention is called to the beauties of flowers, shrubs and 

 trees, they will always love them and wish to have them on their 

 own premises. Compare figures 265 and 266. 



Financial Benefits. — The financial argument is one which usually 

 strikes the farmer most forcibly. His place may be enhanced in 

 value by the use of paint, and growing trees, shrubs and flowers. 

 A well kept farmstead will attract buyers, and cause neighbors to 

 remark frequently of the value of the place (Fig 267) . A neglected 

 home seems to be out of consideration by buyers, and the neigh- 

 bors will sneer when the place is mentioned. 



The small cost of planting trees and flowers is far more than 

 balanced by the enhanced value of the place. A few vines may be 

 started with a few cents' worth of seeds. These may be caused to 

 cover unsightly buildings, shade porches, or cover stumps and 

 fences. A few trees will cost so little that they will pay for their 

 value in shade they furnish (Fig. 268). 



Plans for Planting. — Before doing any extensive or permanent 

 planting a drawing of the grounds should be made. On paper you 

 can change the lines of roads and walks in a moment; not so after 

 they are made in reality. Compare the pairs of plans in figures 269 

 to 271 Make the plan suit your ideals, but be practical in all this 

 work. Do not try to make roads up steep places. Let them wind 

 around a gentle grade with beautiful curves and angles in roads 

 366 



