258 STATE TOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



of tobacco in flower, two leaves of which we found to measure ;i4xl'«' inches 

 and 23x18 inches. 



The hiwn was quite atlectod by severe dry weather then prevailin^^. Such 

 grounds, so far north in our State, we were not prepared to see. A better lawn 

 and a good supply of water would have been a great iniprovcment. 



ORNAMENTAL GROUNDS 



of Mrs. Fred. Busli, of Kalamazoo, contain about one and a fourtii acres 

 on the corner of South and Church streets. The house is brown, with the 

 main part nearly square, and having a flat roof. Along each street was a row 

 of sugar maples, and on the lot a burr oak, honey locust, two horse chestnuts, 

 some old trees of apple and cherry, a white pine, Austrian pine, some arbor- 

 vitaes, a mountain ash in fruit. These trees were scattered about tlie place in 

 a way not to crowd or to shade the lawn too much. There were but few shrubs. 

 We noticed a mock orange and a sweet-scented shrub. There were Just about 

 trees enough, — a condition of things rather unconnnon in small places. 



The house fronts the north. Near the building are quite a variety of native 

 ferns and some other native and exotic plants which love the shade. Some of 

 our native ferns are very beautiful, and we were much gratified to see them freely 

 nsed. On one side and back of the house, near the barn, was a small, well kept 

 vegetable garden, some small fruit.'^, and a few grape-vines. N'ext to and in 

 front of these in suitable places, were beds cut in the lawn and filled with the 

 following plants : Gladioli, geraniums, balsams, violets, including some of our 

 natives, a few cannas, some portulaccas, pansies, scarlet sage, begonias, four 

 o'clocks, sweet aiyssum, marigolds, petunias, verbenas, phlox drummondii, 

 funkia, pinks, cinerarias, tritomas, fuchsias, lilies, amaryllis, sedums, and deut- 

 zias. The petunias lacked sunliglit and heat; the verbenas would flower better 

 in poorer soil. There were some vases and hanging baskets. We should have 

 noticed the roses, which were very good, and tlie use of Chenojwdiiua hotrys 

 (.Jerusalem oak), for ornament and for cutting. 



The lawn is well kept, and of course the chief attraction of the place. All 

 trees and flowers are subordinate to a well kept lawn. Water is abundant, and 

 an essential aid to every well kept place. She has not followed one fashion 

 which is quite prevalent in Kalamazoo. She does not shear the evergreens all 

 over in a formal manner so they look like tall green hay-stacks. We commend 

 her treatment of trees as a worthy cxam})le for some others to follow. The 

 most striking feature in the })lacc is the free use of vines of various kinds. 

 About the trunk of every tree along the streets, is a Virginia creeper. This or 

 other vines are seen climbing all the trees on the grounds, and up the columns 

 of the porch. She has also introduced two other charming native climbers 

 Avhich we wish to notice especially, Tliese are Clcmaiix Virfiiniana (Virgin's 

 bower), and Dioscorea villo^^a (wild yam). The latter especially is one of the 

 finest wild perennial herbs. Some variety can be secured with botii of these in 

 choosing the stamiiuite and the pistillate forms. We saw morning glories, 

 Madeira vitie, trumpet crcci)er, honey suckles, gourds, cypress vine, English 

 ivy, wandering jew, and periwinkle. There were various artificial supports to 

 vines. Over the carriage entrance was an arch covered with vines. Each vine 

 was beautiful, and well cared for, but it seemed to be carried to excess. If half 

 or two-thirds of them were removed the grounds would appear in better taste. 



Another point we wish especially to impress on the minds of our readers. 

 Here she has made a beautiful place mostly with common materials. She has 



