320 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Oft. Doc. 



around their dwellings is a fallacy. The most unique effect is often 

 found where the owner, having a taste and fondness for rural pur- 

 suits, devotes a portion of his own time to the adornment of his 

 grounds, acquainting himself with every new acquisition, studying 

 its growth, admiring its characteristics and forming an attachment 

 for these silent neighbors which prove beneficial in diverting the 

 mind from the rush and turmoil of a busy world to the more quiet 

 and restful one of a rural home. Contrast with this the millionaire 

 quoted by a recent English author, who said that "of all the bills he 

 had to pay, he begrudged most the expenses connected with that con- 

 founded garden." 



By the adjective describing the esteem in which this portion of his 

 possessions were held, what could be expected from such a land 

 owner? What encouragement to employes to produce the best re- 

 sults? When they know their efforts are not appreciated and that 

 the pittance paid is given grudgingly. Did it ever occur to you the 

 great number of persons owning country places, either those to be 

 ornamented in a horticultural way, or those already planted and im- 

 proved, who have little or no taste or interest in horticulture; who 

 do not know a shrub from a tree, a deciduous from an evergreen, a 

 huckleberry bush from a hollyhock. There are thousands of such 

 land owners who want their grounds ornamented because it is popu- 

 lar to have them so. On one topic most of them have an opinion; 

 they want shade. They want it at once. They want the growth of 

 20 years or more transplanted to them and set down so that there 

 will be no interruption in growth or withering of foliage. 



Many of these look upon horticultural topics as effeminate and 

 beneath their consideration. One of the minor matters only worthy 

 of the direction of their wife and daughters. Consequently, when 

 they learn the estimated cost of proper horticultural ornamentation 

 of their grounds they are surprised at the expense. The rule es- 

 tablished in England, we believe, is ten per cent, of the cost of the 

 house to be set aside for planting the grounds. We presume this 

 rule is liable to great variation, according to the size of the tract. 

 A gentleman may talk very knowingly to his coachman and groom 

 regarding his stable and its inmates, he may direct about his kennel, 

 he may seem very intelligent and up to date when discussing about 

 his yacht, but when he comes to dictate to his gardener, he is all at 

 sea. He cannot appreciate his best efforts; he does not see the 

 beauty of his latest acquisitions, but measures his value and ability 

 by his early vegetables, sweet corn or green peas, or his choice straw- 

 berries or grapes. 



