SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 43? 



TREES— THEIR PLACE, CARE, A^JD USES. 



The Lawn Background. — W. D. Boynton says: Xo matter how tastefully 

 the lawn proper is arranged and planted, it has a bleak, unprotected appear- 

 ance when lacking a warm background of natural color. When the vision can 

 wander through and over the lawn, and to a wide expanse of earth and sky 

 beyond, it gives one the impression of a tiny grass-plot or play-ground, even if 

 it be quite extensive and varied in arrangement. If there be bright colors on 

 the lawn, they cannot be brought out satisfactorily without an immediate 

 background of agreeable character. A landscape is like a painting; it must 

 have a suitable background in order to bring out clearly the beauties of color 

 and design" that are placed in the foreground. 



There is nothing more appropriate for this purpose than a body of rich, dark 

 evergreens of good, generous size. A. dwarfed, scrubby tree is of no use in 

 such a place. It -is simply an aggravation to the eye, and does not in the least- 

 answer the purpose for which it was intended. What is wanted is a thick belt 

 or grove of evergreens that will attain a growth of at least 15 or 20 feet. It is 

 not a matter of very grave importance, if the tops are irregular, and the forms 

 of the trees a little varied. We all like to see a lawn kept well trimmed and 

 regular, while a background of Xature's own handicraft cannot shock the 

 most fastidious. 



There is nothing more attractive and suggestive of repose to the pleasure- 

 seeker than a cosy corner of the lawn, formed by a boundary grove of ever- 

 greens. While it may be so arranged as not to shut off from the house de- 

 sirable views into the surrounding country, it serves at the same time to con- 

 centrate the observer's attention on the lawn, something as the hood of the 

 stereoscope concentrates the gaze on the photograph under observation. 



Those who have not given the matter close observation, can hardly imagine 

 what a warm, bright effect flowering shrubs produce when viewed against a 

 background of dark green. The harmony of color and contrast is most beau- 

 tiful and pleasing. It not only lends an additional charm to the lawn in sum- 

 mer, but preserves the grounds from that bleak, deserted aspect which winter 

 usually brings. In fact, a very cheering effect may be produced, even in mid- 

 winter, with the aid of such a background, by planting in the lawn such shrubs 

 as bear bright-colored berries that remain on all winter. With good taste and 

 ingenuity a pleasing design of color may be produced in this way, to soften and 

 enliven the monotonous aspect of winter. 



Such a background as I have referred to may also be considered profitable 

 in point of utility. It serves as a windbreak for the whole premises, and es- 

 pecially screens the small lawn-shrubs from the trying winds. It prevents 

 blowing and drifting of snow, that so often proves fatal to lawns by leaving 

 the grass roots exposed to the sun and frost alternately. A lawn surrounded 

 or partially surrounded by a belt of evergreens will start much earlier in spring 

 than one that has an open, bleak exposure. 



Effective Planting. — L. B. Pierce, whose counsel in matters of landscape 

 gardening is always practical, makes the following points on the above topic: 



One of the most desirable results of well-directed efforts in landscape garden- 

 ing is the forming of beautiful natural pictures. The curving of paths 

 through closely shaved lawns, the planting of specimen shrubs, and the cutting 



