210 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



the lots in our towns and cities. A bill of trees and shrubs is selected at 

 some nursery, brought home and planted. As the trees are small, care is 

 taken to have the grounds well filled, so that they will not look too bare. 

 Walks are laid out, flowers planted, and the work is done. 



Additions are made, now and then, of some tree or plant that strikes 

 the owner's fancy ; the planting being generally done so as to fill some 

 open space. As no attention has been paid to the future growth of the 

 trees, in a few years the larger ones have grown up so as to choke and 

 starve out, in a great measure, the grass, flowers and weaker trees, and 

 obstruct the walks. There is no room to swing a scythe to cut the grass 

 and weeds ; and as the flowers and shrubs appear to poorly repay any care 

 they may receive, they are in the end entirely neglected. 



The whole place has a "cluttered up " appearance, and is an eyesore 

 to all who see it. Worse than this ; on many of our summer days it has 

 a damp, disagreeable smell, that can not be very conducive to the health 

 of the occupants, and that would almost make one prefer a place on the 

 open prairie, where he can get a glimpse of the sun and feel the pure, 

 fresh breeze, even if there was not a tree in sight. 



This is a true picture of many places in our State to-day ; some of 

 them the work of professional tree-growers. A free use of the axe is 

 about the only remedy. 



Now if the place had been laid out with some regard to the future 

 growth of the trees, and with some knowledge of their habits — in fact, 

 with some knowledge of the true principles of laying out grounds — the first 

 cost would have been less, the place could have been easily cared for 

 and rendered attractive, there would have been that beautiful play of 

 light and shade, that contrast of well-kept lawn, and handsome trees so 

 charming to the eye ; and the place would have been a source of so much 

 pleasure and satisfaction to the owner that he would not part with it for 

 many times its cost. 



It is more often the case, however, that grounds are made unsightly, 

 not by overdoing, but by neglect, and a paucity of attempts to do any 

 thing at all. A house is built without much regard to beauty or conven- 

 ience of location. Tools are bought and accumulate, being generally 

 left where most convenient at the time. Lumber, and all sorts of rubbish, 

 are disposed of in much the same manner. Probably work presses, and 

 but little time is found to mow the grass and weeds around the house. 

 Some trees are planted, but, being neglected, are destroyed by cattle or 

 injured in some way. Every thing seems to be at loose ends, and, in more 

 cases than one, the whole business of the place is carried on in a style 

 corresponding with the surroundings. 



Now there is no need of all this. Every owner of such a place can 

 do much towards keeping it in order if he uses some judgment in making 

 use of all his employee's time — time that would otherwise be wasted. 

 To lay out and keep up a place, as it should be kept, implies putting and 

 keeping every thing in order, and some kind of system in the general 

 management of affairs. Let any one go at it in the right way and he will 

 have no cause to regret his undertaking. 



