SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 501 



the cornfield, and the hill of vines." And in some cities seated on hills, as in 

 beautiful Bath, we even find long lines of handsome dwellings with the front 

 curving crescent-like as the street does. This adds great beauty to the general 

 view, and fills a promenade along these easy and pleasantly curving streets and 

 roads with continually fresh charms and surprises to the promenader or 

 traveler. 



"Walks Around the House. — We do not believe in having gravel walks and 

 drives about the farm-house, unless they can be well cared for. So many start 

 out with brave intentions, lay out elaborate lines of gravel that are afterwards 

 ill-kept and worse than nothing. They are the ones who inquire what can be 

 put upon walks to keep the weeds down, and are ready to buy leached ashes, 

 salt, or even arsenic. The best and only way to make a lasting and beautiful 

 walk, is to make it from six to nine inches deep, with gravel that will pack, 

 and then see that from the beg nning the borders are definite, clean cut; then 

 allow no weeds nor grass to get a start. It costs very little to run over a walk, 

 wilh the back of a rake once a week, keeping down all the little plants that 

 start, but if allowed to grow double the time, it is four times the labor. It is 

 with walks as with the garden — the weeds must be kept down from the period 

 of their germination. Otherwise it is better to have a little narrow path upon 

 the soil which requires no attention whatever except to be kept short mowed. 



SHRUBBERY. 



Native Flowering Shrubs. — Prof. Bailey gives the following list of native 



shrubs and short descriptions as appropriate for Liwn use: 



Cercis Canadensis. Red-Bud, Judas Tree. For very early flowering, this 

 shrub excels all our natives. The flowers are violet-purple and borne in great 

 abundance before the leaves start. The effect is striking. The round leaves 

 are odd and attractive. It is hardy at Boston. 



Clelhra alnifolia, White Alder, deserves a place in every garden on account 

 of its delicious fragrance. 



Kahnia latifolia, Mountain Laurel. An evergreen shrub which is very 

 showy with rose-colored flowers in spring. For winter grouping this plant is 

 always desirable. 



Leiophyllurn buxifulium, Sand Myrtle. Does well in the open sun on dry 

 ground and is very ornamental. 



Hypericum prolificum, Shrubby St. John's Wort. This is one of the very 

 best of hardy undershrubs, and it is very easy of cultivation. It is a profuse 

 bloomer. 



Dirca pahistris, I.eatherwood. The neat and clean habits of this bush rec- 

 ommend it rather than the flowers. It thrives well in an ordinary dry soil. 



Amorpha fruiicosa, False Indigo Plant. A very attractive shrub, bearing 

 its purple flowers much after the manner of some of the garden Spiraeas. 



Andromeda jloribunda gives a great profusion of pretty, heath-like flowers 

 in early spring. When given shade the plant does well in an ordinary soil. 



