216 Mississippi Valley Horticxdtural Society. 



years ahead, and prune with reference to the future. Thinning and pruning 

 had better be done a little each year and not a large amount once in Hve or 

 ton years. Thin before the beauty of your best trees is lost by crowding. 

 Remember that the lower limbs, especially of evergreens, will not start out 

 again when once removed. 



SHRUBS, VINES AXD FLOWERS. 



These will be used for the linal luuclics of embellishment. Shrubs are 

 valued for their bloom as well as for form and foliage. Each variety will 

 serve some special end. As a rule, plant in irregular groups as directed for 

 trees. At projecting points in shrub masses plant some hardy herbaceous 

 perennials. Use vines for porches or for covering a half dead tree or stump 

 or rubbish jiile. Plant flowers mostly at the side of the house in irregular 

 but gracefully-shaped beds, and while trees are young, about their trunks, 

 perliaps. No special paths are needed about flower or shrub groups. Rock 

 work is seldom satisfactory, and is only appropriate in a retired portion of 

 your grounds. A pile of shells, rocks and scoria in the front yard is badlj' 

 out of place. Heap them in some back and shady corner, and you will lind 

 great delight in transplanting from woods and meadows an assortment of 

 hepaticus, spring beauties, blood-root, trillium, bell worts, phloxes and ferns. 

 If you have a pond near by, introduce some water lilies, cat-tail flags, pick- 

 erel weed, arrowhead, and near by set some Wisconsin weeping willows and 

 birches and ashes. Do not despise flower, shrub or tree because it is native 

 and "common." As a rule, the best known is better than the imported rarity. 

 Give thought and attention to all the details of the work of making a pleas- 

 ant home. It is a worthy work. You will be surprised to find how much 

 beauty can be obtained at little cost, and how rapidly everj'thing hastens 

 forward toward the completed plan in your own mind. You will have a 

 constiint comfort and a fresh hope realized every year as the trees grow, and 

 transformation fijUows transformation towards the full development of your 

 original design. 



RAIM-: VXD LITTLE KNOWN TREES AND SHRUBS OF .ALABAMA. 



I!V DK. f'HARLES MOIII!, OF ALABAMA. 



Amongst the number of woody plants which recommend themselves to 

 the cultivator for the adornment of pleasure ground there are ])arlicnlarly 

 three, which might be called peculiar to the flora of Alabama. They are 

 Hcarcely known outside the herbaria of the professional botanist. Deserving 

 of a wider notice, they were deemed worthy to be brought on an occasion 

 like the jiresenl to th<> att<'ntion of the horticulturist. 



The trio embraces the RIiils Ci>tim>i(b's, called by the .settlers shittem 

 wood or yellow wood; Nevmin AlahaviemiK, and the Cruton Mabdnwme. 

 ThcHC plants excite the interest of the botanist in representing types which, 



