THE COUNTRY HOME [CHAPTER 
York, and in the Southern States, for these indi- 
vidualities to express themselves through nature. 
If you have not a glen, or a gorge, or wild forest 
edge, you will find that you have something, or can 
create something, that will be characteristic of your- 
self, and expressive of rest. Nature is all the time 
trying to help you. In New England the rocks give 
grottoes, or the overhanging grapevines create ar- 
bors. In the West I have seen along the roadsides 
gypsy encampments of wild thorn — apples and 
wild grapes. Underneath these the cows would 
hide to enjoy the dense shade. One such thorn 
tree alone is beautiful, but a corner of your pasture, 
arbored over in this way, is as good for your 
animals as sweet grass and fresh water. 
Nothing is more important about a country 
home than provision for sports and games. This 
should not be left to the ingenuity of the children 
to provide, but tennis and croquet grounds and 
athletic fields should constitute a provision in lay- 
ing out your property. Lawn tennis is easily in- 
troduced, a game that creates litheness of body, 
with an easy cooperation of mind and eye. It is 
a peculiarly instructive game, while croquet goes 
directly to teach accuracy of judgment. I have 
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