SUMMER MEETING. 153 



The astelba is one of the hardiest of plants. Very largely used 

 for forcing as a winter bloomer. 



Yuccas are evergreen plants, with sword-like leaves, of a very 

 tropical aspect and very desirable for the lawn. Flowers, white, on 

 a tall spike, in July. 



Campanulas, fox gloves, veronicas and many others could be in- 

 cluded in this list. Newer plants are discovered every year hardy 

 and desirable in all respects. 



Those desiring to plant have a very large assortment to choose 

 from. We hope that our plant-loving people will regard with more 

 interest these plants that thrive and bloom with so little care. 



J. A. DuRKES, Weston, Mo. 



OENAMENTAL TREES. 



The value and pleasure there is in planting ornamental trees, vines 

 and shrubs is not known by the people of our country and city. A few 

 dollars and a little time spent in ornamenting our home with trees, 

 shrubs and vines would add much value and pleasure to our homes ; 

 and as the trees, shrubs and vines grow, the value and beauty grows 

 also. As we travel through the country, it is only now and then that we 

 see any interest taken in planting ornamental trees, shrubs and vines. 

 The country home varies from a bare yard ; not a tree nor a shrub, but 

 in their place some old machinery, an old wagon, a few plows, a pile of 

 rubbish, a wood pile, and so on ; then again we see a few old scraggy 

 locust or soft maple, a few bushy fruit trees. Again a tangled mass of 

 trees, shrubs, vines and fruit trees all in the front yard, and it is only 

 15 by 20 feet. Such a clustered yard is both unsightly and unwhole- 

 some. 



I find the greatest drawback to planting of ornamental trees 

 and shrubs is for the want of knowledge of what to plant, and 

 how to plant it. I have seen places where they had a nice house built 

 15 or 20 feet from the road, with a high and heavy board fence in front, 

 but not a tree or shrub to be seen. Had these men built the house 

 100 or 150 feet back, and taken $25 out of the cost of the house 

 and spent it in making a lawn, and planting some ornamental trees 

 properly, it would have added value, beauty and pleasure to the homes* 



And here I must say that if our horticultural and agricultural 

 journals would give rules and plans, tell us what and how to plant and 

 urge the planting of ornamental trees it would be a great help to 

 awaken an interest in beautifying our homes, as there is always some- 

 thing to be learned in the planting of ornamental trees. 



