Effect of Ghosts on Horses.-The Ghost Story precisely as it oc- curred.-Are Ghosts liable to Damages when they frighten Horses into fits of running away?-Equine Eccentricities.-Practical Play- A Well, considered classically and otherwise.-A Cat in search of ........... Advantages thereof.-Things to have.-You wish you may get them. -Ornamental as opposed to practical Views.—A dissolving View. -Bad Beginnings do not always make a good Ending.-Daniel O'Rourke's as a grazing Crop.-The new-mown Hay.-Its Flavor and Flower.-Remarkable Results of Gardening for Profit...... 97 Architectural Skill set at defiance by practical Difficulties.-Result Strange Attack of Somnolency.-Dogs and Peppers as awakeners. -The right Thing in the wrong Place-A Hen lays herself out. -Twenty pair of Chickens raise the Hair of one Mink........ 124 A Fortune in Strawberries.-How to get it out.-Debility developed. Immense pecuniary Advantages of high old Farming. -Exactitude the Foundation of Success in Life.-A plain Statement.-General Reflections.-An amateur Butcher.-Boiled salt Pork......... 148 A new Start, with no Drawbacks.-Immense Results, but not pre- Knowledge is Power.-The new Flower.-A Thing of Beauty.-Ap- pearance contrasted with Perfume.-The Fox is the Finder.. 179 A second Year's Balance-sheet.-Still greater Promises.-Success assured.-Every Man should be his own Market Gardener.-No dearth of Onions. -Transported at the Result.-The last of the family Horse. He closes his Career by a wonderful Feat in draw- IT INTRODUCTION. was in consequence of reading a little volume called "Ten Acres Enough”—a practical and statistical, as well as, in certain points, a poetical production-that I came to prepare this volume. In that work a charming and interesting account is given of the successful attempt of a Philadelphia mechanic to redeem a strip of exhausted land of ten acres in extent. In the course of it, a vast deal of advice and most valuable directions are given on the subject of planting and sowing, draining and reaping, manuring and pruning; berries and fruits, vines and vegetables, are duly considered; and the question of outlay and income, expenses and receipts, losses and profits, is forever ding-donged into one's ears. So useful is the instruction it contains, that no one should think of buying a farm, experimenting in rural life, or even reading this book, without first perusing that one. To be sure, the author forgets occasionally some minor matters-such as clothing, food, and the like, leaving his family naked and unfed for several years but that is doubtless due to his poetical temperament and intense love of nature. In the same spirit, therefore, no matter how frequently I may refer to money matters in the course of the following pages, even if I should occasionally condescend to speak of food and raiment-those commonplace necessities--it must be understood to be with no sordid view; and if I keep these matters before the reader's attention, it will be for the sole purpose of benefiting and enlightening him, and pointing out clearly the financial consequence of investing in rural residences. The country-how beautiful it is! To a man wearied with the cares of city life; who has pursued an exhausting profession for several years with vigorous energy; who has taken a hand in politics, attended caucuses and Conventions, and helped to "run the machine;" who has a philanthropic turn of mind, and gone on committees and made public collections; and who, moreover, has abundant means-this, though last, is by no means least-the country, with its green leaves, its lovely flowers, its waving grass, its early vegetables, and its luscious fruits, is most attractive; and where a residence can be obtained. which combines all these luxuries with pure air, and |