54: 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



used effectively under windciws, on terraces, banks and to 

 front off groups of the tall growing trees. Where a quick 

 growth or immediate effect is desired, it can be procured 

 in a short time. For wind-breaks or screens they cannot 

 be surpassed. Some are very useful in this respect to 

 shut out undesirable objects and also to protect the less 

 hardy and often more beautiful specimens. For avenue 

 planting they are ideal, their appearance being prac- 

 tically the same all the year around, giving a rich yet quiet 

 tone to the summer landscape, and in winter adding a 

 cheerful sight to the estate. A group of evergreens on a 

 bright, frosty morning, their branches veiled in snow, 

 make one of nature's most wonderful outdoor pictures. 

 To children they become a never-ending delight. The 

 early birds flock to them to build their nests, and places 

 that have been almost devoid of birds are turned into a 

 veritable paradise for the feathered songsters in a few 

 years. 



For woodland and stream planting the hemlock, cedar 

 and pines, used in combination with native deciduous 

 trees, make a decided change to the group or formal 



are vegetables and fruit. If an early start is made in this 

 direction, by the time the house is ready for occupancy 

 some returns can be expected. Asparagus, visually the 

 first spring vegetable, and requiring at least one year's 

 growth before cutting, and the strawberry beds, requiring 

 the same time before bearing fruit, should be promptly 

 planted with other fruits and vegetables that require most 

 time for development, and materially add to the pleasures 

 and com'forts of country life. Berries, grapes, etc., fol- 

 low with a general planting of fruit trees in season. 



The reserve ground should next be taken into consid- 

 eration, where some good lawn-grass seed should be sown 

 to furnish a supply of turf (an item always needed). 

 Another reason for starting on the above lines at once is 

 this : While the house is building, little in the line of 

 grading or planting can be done in the immediate vicinity 

 and ample time can be taken to determine the laying out 

 of the avenues, flower gardens, greenhouses, garage and 

 farm buildings. Strange to say, this important part of 

 any estate — the fruit and vegetable garden — is often 

 neglected. If owners of countrv homes will take a little 



SPECIMK.N 111. I I-, ^l'l<l I I- 

 EVERGREEN'S .\RE 



\.SL) AI'.IKS 1.0XCOLOR (SILA'ER FIR). A SPLENDID COMBINATION. H.'\RDY .AND BE.\UTIFUL. 

 Pl.E.^SING THE YE.\R THROUGH, LENDING .\ RICH YET SUBDUED TONE TO .-\N ESTATE. 



effects. Another class of evergreens are the rhododen- 

 drons ; the hardy hybrids number amongst them some of 

 the most gorgeous flowers. Planted with a background 

 of pines, etc., their beauty is shown to advantage. For 

 formal garden work the blue spruce, thuyas, yews, etc., 

 add a dignified appearance all the year through. A choice 

 selection can be made, without fear of loss of trees, that 

 will withstand the most severe winters and do away with 

 the annoyance and e.xpense of replacing, in spring, varie- 

 ties unsuitable for the surroundings. Contrary to the 

 general belief, many large specimens have been trans- 

 planted by the frozen ball method without a single loss. 



THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE G.VKDEN. 



In the planning and construction of a country estate, 

 there are many matters of permanent interest and im- 

 portance to be taken into consideration. From the pro- 

 ductive point of view my experience suggests the follow- 

 ing: After the site for the house has been selected, the 

 position of vegetable and fruit garden sliould receive early 

 attention, as about the lirsl things expected from an estate 



pains to develop these gardens, they will find them a 

 source of much satisfaction. 



LANDSCAPE FORESTRY. 



The general topography of the estate should be given 

 careful study, and the general plan of the estate consid- 

 ered to secure the best results from the planting of the 

 [ilace. Climatic conditions, e.xposure, privacy ami all 

 natural advantages should be given thought, as all play 

 their part in the general effect. If the avenue is properly 

 planned, its planting and care can easily be carried out 

 by one familiar with landscape gardening to suit the ideas 

 of the owner. In case the owner has a preference for a 

 certain variety of tree to predominate in the avenue, the 

 planning can be arranged to cariw out the purpose har- 

 moniously. If the avenue is straight, or nearly so, the 

 line-planting can in most cases be followed ; on the other 

 hand, should it run through a rolling or wooded country, 

 an entirely different plan must be considered. If a part 

 of the grounds is naturally wooded, care should be taken 

 in selecting material that will lead uj) to or harmonize 



