Vol. 2.-N0. 4 . RICHMOND, IND., OCTOBER, 1879. ! pu ^SS' at 
Fig. 138. 
NATIONAL SOLDIERS’ HOME , DAYTON, OHIO. 
many of our readers will probably never have the privilege of visiting this 
beautiful place, which the government has so kindly fitted up for those who 
were so unfortunate as to be permanently disabled for life in the service of 
their country, a brief description of a pleasant day spent in admiring its 
many beauteous wonders, may not be uninteresting. 
it was a bright August morning, with a cool breeze from the north-west, 
when we landed at the Union Depot, Dayton, Oiiio, and we soon found ourselves on 
board a train ot the Home Avenue Railroad, bound for the Soldiers’ Home, 4 miles 
from the city, through the highly cultivated fields for which Southern Ohio is fam- 
ous. But the ride was short’, and we were soon upon the grounds, which have been 
laid out with so much skill and taste by Chaplain T. B. Van Horn, of the United 
States Army. 
Dike all other military institutions, neatness and order reigns supreme every- 
where, on the lawns, walks or drives, as well as in all the buildings. The grass on 
the lawns was trimmed to an even, velvety surface, but not so short as is usually 
seen on highly cultivated lawns, for experience has taught landscape gardeners that 
clipping grass so very short, as was the custom five years ago, soon starves the roots 
to death, and of course, kills the grass. There was not a leaf or stick to be seen lying 
