Page 6

  Other than the vines on trellises,
transplanted fruits, and flowering
herbs, little ornamental gardening
was attempted during the early
years. Most photographs and draw-
ings show the cabin surrounded by
bare dirt or unmowed prairie
grasses and forbs. Some photo-
graphs show one or more mature
trees which apparently had been left
at the time the cabin was built. The
absence of a flower garden does not
imply a lack of aesthetic sensitivity,
however, but more likely, a short-
age of money and time. A few set-
tlers brought and planted shrubs,
bulbs, or flower seeds, but diary en-
tries lamenting the death of these
first plants indicate that there was
little time to coddle tender young
plants. The predominance of lilacs,
honeysuckle, daylilies, lilies of the
valley, morning glory, and holly-
hocks around farmsteads may have
been due as much to the hardiness
and ease of propagating these plants
as to their nostalgic value.
The postfrontier period
(1850-1865)
  Significant efforts at ornamental
gardening began only after the
dwelling had acquired some degree
of refinement, usually after the
original cabin had been replaced by
a new, larger house. Within ten
years after settlement, many pi-
oneers were enjoying the success of
the wheat boom and were finan-
cially able to build a permanent
house. This second house could be
built of hewn logs, brick, stone or
half-timber, but the method most
often used was the new "balloon
frame" construction whereby a light
wooden frame was covered with
clapboards. If the cabin was not re-
placed, it was usually enlarged and
modernized with clapboard siding.
Although simple in plan and ver-
nacular in style, the new house was
frequently pleasing in proportion
and details, demonstrating skillful
carpentry. The woodworker's skill
was also displayed in attached and
freestanding trellises and arbors as
well as in the picket or decorative
board fence surrounding the house.
  The orchard and vegetable gar-
den were sited in a location selected
..1
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This drawing depicts the frontier farm several years after settlement. The
house has been enlarged from the original one-room log cabin. The garden
includes fruit trees and herbs as well as vegetables. (By Jean Reince)
This drawing depicts the traditional garden of an established farm with a
simple frame house about ten to twenty years after settlement. Board fences
surround the farm. A pair of evergreen trees flanks the front gate. Flowers
and
shrubs are randomly grouped on both sides of the board walk. (By Jean
Reince)
6/Wisconsin Academy Review/September 1984
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