154 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



I for one have searched and looked all through the papers and 

 books to find something on ornamental trees, but failed to find it. 

 Much may be learned by observation as one travels through the coun- 

 try and the suburbs of the cities. If one passes by a nicely and taste- 

 fully planted yard he is sure to notice it and admire it, and right there 

 one can get good ideas of how to plant. You can see for yourself and 

 avoid mistakes. Nature is oar best guide, and in planting a yard we 

 Hhould try to imitate nature somewhat, more so in large places or parks. 



Most people plant trees in their yard about their houses only for 

 shade, not considering the beauty at all, and shade is all they get, but 

 it is more beauty we want; beauty first and shade second. In planting 

 a yard care should be taken not to plant large and spreading trees too 

 near the house, or in the front-yard. Slender and pyramidal-formed 

 trees should be chosen for this, and the larger and spreading trees 

 planted further back. Do not plant in regular order, but by all means 

 plant in clumps or groups, leaving bare spots of lawn and a clear view 

 from the house to the road or some distant landscape, hills or groves. 

 Plant a clump of one kind here and a group of another there. A few 

 different kinds may be grouped together as they show off to some ad- 

 vantage. Plant weeping trees by themselves in an open spot so that 

 they can be seen from the road, the slender and pyramidal-formed 

 trees should also be planted so that they can be seen by the traveler. 



Roadside planting adds much to the beauty of our homes if suit- 

 able trees are chosen for a small yard, or where the house is built 

 close to the road. More slender-growing trees should be chosen for 

 large yards. We have many valuable trees growing wild in our forests, 

 that can be had for the digging of them, and a few days spent in 

 spring or fall with your family getting some trees, shrubs and vines^ 

 properly planted, is time profitably spent. The white elm, white and 

 blue ash, soft maple, eugar maple, sycamore and horn beam can all be 

 found growing in our forests. The elm, soft maple, sycamore, Carolina 

 poplar are large growing trees, and should be back from the house or 

 street. The white ash, the linden and sweet gum are good trees 

 for grouping on the lawn or roadside planting. The lombardy 

 poplar is a slender form, contrasting pictures yearly with round-headed 

 groups of trees. The bolleana poplar is beautiful ; it resembles the 

 lombardy, and contrasts beautifully with other trees. The white birch 

 and paper birch should be planted in groups by themselves, or with 

 others, and by the roadside. It would draw the attention of the 

 traveler. The cut-leaved weeping birch is a beauty in an open spot, 

 not for roadside planting. Wier cut-leaved maple may be grouped 

 with tall and slender growing varieties, is a fast grower and a good 



