MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 33 
at the top or midway, thus relieving the monotony of the 
bare iron structures. Old and unsightly buildings, which 
the circumstances prevent from being removed, may be 
beautified and rendered inoffensive to the eye by the use 
of quick-growing vines planted at the corners. 
BACK-YARD GARDENS 
Since the first article in this number of the BULLETIN is 
devoted to a type of floral decoration which may be used in 
the beautification of the down-town districts, it has seemed 
appropriate to include, in the same number, suggestions 
applicable to that part of the premises in the residential sec- 
tions most frequently receiving less attention, that is, the 
back yard. 
Cleaning up is the first step in the movement for back-yard 
improvement. A trim lawn and a painted fence, where a 
fence is unavoidable, inconspicuous ash-pits, and clean walks 
make for attractiveness. This accomplished, the development 
of the garden is the next step. 
A garden is possible in any space admitting sunlight, and 
of any size from the area of a window box up. Quite an 
effective garden can be developed in the typical back yard 
of approximately 30 by 60 feet. Larger spaces admit of 
Bigs possibilities, of course, perhaps more than one gar- 
en being practicable. 
Probably there is no better way to bring out ideas on the 
development and possibilities of back-yard gardens than by 
a description of the plans of four such gardens to be laid out 
this spring in the new economic garden. These four gar- 
dens, each of which is about 29 by 60 feet, differ in design 
and in the types of planting material and should suggest 
other designs and arrangements to the garden enthusiast. 
There will be a combined flower and vegetable garden, a 
shrubbery and perennial garden, a rose garden, and a sub- 
tropical garden. All of these will be separated and enclosed 
by a hedge of California privet and each will have one large 
tree, in this case an apple. A small and inexpensive pool 
will be included in each, and an arch for flowering vines will 
mark what would be the gateway to the alley. 
In the flower and vegetable garden the flowering plants 
are confined to the borders, and the vegetables to the interior 
square beds. A rectangular space is reserved in the center 
for a central pool, small lawn, and four dwarf fruit trees, 
and seats at either side mark the cross axis of the garden. 
Four additional dwarf fruits are placed near the corners of 
