Ornamental Planting. 215 



sitting room : tliey harbor birds, they aftbrd shade in summer, tliey are the 

 glory of home grounds and will serve for generations to remind ihose who 

 enjoy them of the thoughtful and generous hand which planted them. They 

 should not be set in straight rows or at equal distances. Even as a shelter 

 belt on the exposed side of a house they are better arranged in groups which 

 "break joints."' Near the projecting points of this irregular line of foliage is 

 a good place for single trees, like islands near a cape, leaving open bays of 

 turf to flow between them into the deeper and more sheltered recesses. 

 Avoid formalitj'. Even in roadside planting, a row of trees will be marred 

 sooner or later by vacancies or by unequal growth. Finer eficcts are pro- 

 duced by planting irregular, mixed groups at salient points. Plant so as to 

 conceal from the best points of house and grounds unsightly objects near or 

 remote. Plant trees or shrub groups on the concave side of sharp turns in 

 walks or drives, and in the angles where paths and roads diverge. 



EVERGREENS 



Are more monotonous than deciduous trees, yet they are green when other 

 trees look dead. Their cones and young spring growth add some variety. 

 In winter they are darker, the bright color returning with the warmth of the 

 early year. In autumn they shed the leaves which grew one or two or more 

 years before. They are particularly charming when snow, which loads their 

 limbs, is seen in contrast with their dark green leaves. A deciduous tree 

 belongs to a higher type, and presents a greater variety of aspect — without 

 leaves, with young leaves, with full grown leaves and with brilliantly colored 

 leaves of autumn. The bark is smooth or rough, the twigs are few or many, 

 the spray scatters into infinite diversity of form and color; the leaves vary in 

 size, shape, color, direction — while in general form no two are alike, and the 

 masses of foliage break into light and shadow in a distinctive way for each 

 species, and almost for every individual. Some evergreens should be used, 

 and more where there are few or none in the surrounding forests. Too many 

 will make a place gloomy and sombre — too few will leave it with a cold and 

 naked look in winter. 



SELECTION AND CARE. 



Choose nursery-grown trees, especially evergreens, which have been trans- 

 planted. They will have more roots and are more certain to make a vigor- 

 ous growth. Do not select large trees, even at low prices. Avoid high-priced 

 novelties until you have experience. Do not try too many kinds, nor more 

 than can attain good development on your place. It is allowable to plant 

 thickly at first for immediate eiliect, but if so, arrange for thinning out at the 

 beginning, and remove remorselessly before the trees crowd each other. 

 Select trees easily grown and of such species as have been proved thrifty in 

 the region where you live. Do not choose short-lived trees, nor trees subject 

 to the borer, like the mountain ash, nor liable to die in the lower limbs, like 

 the balsam fir. After planting, give the best of care by cultivation, fertilizing 

 and mulching. Do not cut them into grotesque or formal shapes. Look 



