1876.] 



AND EORTIGULTURIST. 



163 



landscape, no one does so for mere ostentation, 

 or outward show, but simply for the love of do- 

 ing a good and proper thing. It is well for us, 

 " the pomp and vanities of this wicked world," 

 do not often, if ever, appear in the guise of gar- 

 dening. Its purpose is to refine and elevate 

 society; and as that is its aim and end, there 

 can be nothing meretricious, sordid, or spurious 

 about it. Then by all means plant and sow. 

 Improve the surroundings, and make home at- 

 tractive, without and within; and then it will, in 

 every sense, be the happiest spot on this side 

 "the land o' the leal." And when the heart 

 enjoys the scenes so charming. Hooker's truism 

 will be fully realized, and we shall then feel that 

 " the goodliness of trees, when we behold them, 

 delighteth the eye." 



In the suggestions I offer, it occurs to me that 

 fruit trees might be more generally used on, or 

 about the la^wai or shrubberies. If judiciously 

 done, the effect would be equal to, if not supe- 

 rior, to many things often seen there. Why not 

 plant a clump of dwarf Pears, another of 

 Quinces and Plums? With here, a group of 

 Peach, Almond, Nectarine, or Apricots. And 

 there, a grove of Apples, belt of Cherries, or 

 border of Gooseberries, or Currants, red, white 

 and black. The same of Figs, and Pomegran- 

 ates, where the climate is favorable ; as it is in 

 California, and most of the Southern States. 

 The Guava, Orange, Lemon, Loquat and Olive, 

 also flourish there. In less favored spots they 

 may be wintered safely in cellars; and when 

 danger of frost is over, brought out and planted. 



If there is sufficient space, the various kinds 

 of nut trees will be found useful. Their form 

 and foliage will materially assist in preserving the 

 general characteristic features of landscape gar- 

 dening. Omitting the Hickory, with the excep- 

 tion of the Pecan, I would propose the European 

 Walnut, which is a handsome spreading tree, 

 and bears excellent fruit. There are some dwarf 

 kinds very prolific and of good quality. They 

 are proper trees, either to group or isolate. The 

 same may be said of the Chinquapin, or dwarf 

 Chestnut, and the Hazle-nut, or, what is still 

 better, the Filbert. 



The Sweet Chestnut is a noble tree of rapid 

 growth, both ornamental and fruitful, and should 

 not be forgotten. Neither should the Mulberry 

 be passed by. Than this handsome tree there is 

 nothing better deserves a place on the lawn or 

 elsewhere. The Persimmon must not be over- 

 looked. When quite ripe, it is really a palatable 



and wholesome fruit. Some people may perhaps 

 have a taste for Papawp, and Passion-vine fruit, 

 and Prickly Pears. If so, set some out, by all 

 means. 



On neat trellises, verandas, stakes and arbors, 

 Blackberries and Grape-vines may be trained. 

 Or the latter may be left in suitable places to 

 wander at will over large trees, and the rich 

 ripe clusters of fruit will give additional charms 

 to the leafy festoons. 



Raspberries, Barberries, Huckleberries, Blue- 

 berries, .Cranberries, and Bilberries, will be 

 found very useful ; in fact, indispensable, in the 

 arrangement of an ornamental fruit garden. On 

 account of their shrubby nature, some of which 

 make beautiful bushes, they are well adapted for 

 low clumijs and clusters, or, to margin groups 

 of larger growth. 



The last, though not the least luscious in the 

 list, is the Strawberry. Beds or borders of them 

 may be planted on the lawn ; and if alternated 

 with Tigridias, Gladiolus, or Tuberoses, they will 

 be quite as attractive, and much more useful 

 than a bed of Potentillas. 



Make the garden gay with flowers. Let the 

 Eose, Heliotrope, Salvia, Ageratum, Mignon- 

 ette, Verbena, Violet, Geranium, Petunia, Pink, 

 Pyrethrum, and such like pretty things, have 

 proper places ; as they should in all good gar- 

 dens grow. 



Fancy the charm of spring bulbs, whose colors 

 "blend like the rainbow that hangs in the skies," 

 blooming at our feet, and sweet blossoms burst- 

 ing above us ; what an Eden it would be ! While 

 meandering among "trees loaded with beauty 

 and promise,' we should feel as happy as the 

 old " Gardener Adam," and his good wife did, 

 before they barely escaped being choked with 

 bad fi'uit, the meanest trash of apple kind.* 



And as "the golden hours on angels' wings," go 

 gently by, and bring on sunny summer days, un- 

 veiling fresh beauties, and diffusing exquisite 

 perfumes, while unfolding fair flowers, how 

 much like " Paradise Regained," it would seem ! 

 And as " Flora " gracefully surrenders her lov- 

 ing care of the glories of spring time and sum- 

 mer, in favor of " Pomona ; " the foretaste of 



* By consulting such Pomological guides as Downing, Barry, 

 Elliott, Warder, or Thomas, the reader will run no risk of 

 getting to the wrong tree, when he wants a good apple : such as 

 befell the first tasting committee, at the Primal Pomological 

 Society— long ago. They are all reliable gentlemen, and would 

 not offer or recommend a worthless fruit to anybody, if they 

 know it. That assertion I can vouch for. 



