A FACTOR IN HOME-MAKING 



years of persistent effort along right lines, together with a 

 gradual development of higher ideals for home-building and 

 home surroundings. 



Sometimes it would seem as if the American home was 

 much more for the world's enjoyment than that of the family 

 to whom its influence is most important. The desire for 

 ownership of a home, no matter how small, is growing on us 

 as a people, but the greatest benefit the ownership of land 

 gives us is in its development of the love of home, and the 

 suppression of that restless desire for change which has re- 

 sulted in the evolution of the American tramp. However 

 much the nature world may satisfy, the home is wholly a 

 thing of man's making, and in it he would gather about him 

 the things that need his tender ministry. The better part of 

 one's nature is aroused by living in the garden. A strange 

 leaf, a new flower, or a peculiarity of tiny seed-leaves, each 

 in itself a trifle, may become a matter of such vital fascination 

 as to cause you to become absorbed in the study of nature. 



In every household there are times when there is need of 

 some common interest into which all members of the family 

 may throw themselves temporarily. The garden furnishes 

 such. The head of the house works off the irritation and 

 fret of the business world as he takes an after-dinner, or, 

 better still, before-dinner stroll in the garden. For the city- 

 bred man a half-hour of vigorous exercise in the garden in the 

 morning will be better for health than dumb-bells, and the 

 charm of the early day, the song of the birds, the delight in 

 watching the growing things, will furnish a power to meet 



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