0^b 
fNCi, 
A SCENE IN THE Itl.ItAI, EXPERIMENTAL GROUNDS - SEVENTH SERIES. 
1^1' S^iS.^ 1 ; th^aJoDe^ ^teBide^th or<dl * rd ^“1 onc ^ coined K er,ted. One view, beAulihl tree,, abrub., three se&eon, will, with parcel, any eo,t, pro- 
«o,e from it “ " Wh “ lat ‘ OM wMoh .^ein/oS !n LTv rf* !“? “ a 1 flr “' '* ra “ d d “™ * P**. “ >»*. "< tbeeo.tly-looktog b^uly 
tar a winch, spreading out m both directions their cost m proportion to their beauty. Such which we at first referred to. 
(Mr. XXXVI. No. 12.1 
WHOJrK No. 1443 . I 
[Entered according 
ianisrapc oxirkninp, 
_NEW YORK CITY. SEPT, 21 1877^ 
to Act of CongTeaR, in the year 1877,~hy the K„ralTnbIiHhin K Company;^, th^n^f the Librarian oF^<^t Wasi^^T 
I PH ICE SIX CENTS 
[ *‘ 4.30 PER YEAR. 
A RUSTIC BRIDGE. 
Our issue of January 18th contained a brief 
description of some parts of the Rura/a Experi¬ 
mental Grounds, and some account of the small 
lake that forms by no means tho least of 
their attractions. Thoro it was told how. 
by carting away to the compost heap or for 
grading purposes, tho rich muck from a 
sunken moadow, and then damming up a 
pretty streamlet that took its rise in it from 
upwards of a hundred uatural springs, a beauti¬ 
ful sheet of water abounding in porch, sun- 
fish, and other toothsome members of tho 
finny tribe, took tho place of an unsightly swamp 
which was at once an eyesore to tho taste at all 
Onr present illustration, drawn by the deft, 
hand of Mr. L. F. On aether, represents a rus¬ 
tic bridge near the inlet of the lake. Au arched 
structure won Id. doubtless, bo more in conform¬ 
ity with tho curved linos of beauty which oven 
untaught taste recognizes everywhere in the 
works of nature, and which instructed judgment 
approves in the products of art; but a bridge of 
that kind would lie considerably more expensive 
and less convenient for the passage of loaded 
vehicles; while economy and convenience should 
never ho lost sight of in making Improvements 
round t he homestead. Moreover, as In tho present 
instances with regard to the form and material 
of the rails inolnsing the roadway, the exercise 
of a little taste in reference to the accessories of 
such improvements, will generally bring thorn 
into pleasing agreement with tho surrounding 
scenery. Here, on tho bluff at the right a few 
sturdy old apple trees still survive—gnarled me- 
will, ere long, festoon the pickot-fence behind it. 
Opposito to it, dose to the edge of the water, 
grow Matrimony vines which will flourish freely 
anywhere from cuttings. In the middle distance 
beyond tho bridge, a group of alders display 
their pleasing forms, while to the left of them 
the steep bank is overshadowed by the abundant 
foliage of several Laurel-leaved Willows. Just 
close to the boat., rises abruptly a natural 
mound, thickly planted with Austrian Pino, 
Hemlock and Arbor * Vitro, while Arundo Po- 
nax, hrianthus Ravenna, Spirma opulifolia, 
Venetian Humaeh and other handsome grasses 
and diciduous shrubs form a rich entangloment 
of verdure. 
-» ♦ » 
THE COST. 
Previously to experience, the coBt of laying 
out and planting new grounds is greatly exag- 
estimates are always too high, and this fact is 
one of tho strongest proofs of the utility of deco¬ 
rating the homo grounds. It is money well 
invested. 
Ask yourself the question : l>o you know of a 
tidy farmer who can endure an untidy door- 
yard ? Tho very same feeling that inspires neat¬ 
ness, wo may say cleanliness, in tho house, is 
that which would seo to it that order prevails 
outside ; and whether it be a garden or a lawn, 
whether the door-yard is twenty-five or one hun¬ 
dred feet square, what there is will show the hand 
of care. 
Wo Beldom see a man or woman who lias no 
appreciation whatever of a few trees or shrubs 
about the homestead, Ho is a busy man in¬ 
deed that during the spring or fall can not spare 
an hour or so to procure a few specimens 
from the woods if he can not afford to purchase 
from nurseries. And a few planted for two or 
