10 A Practical Hand Book 



Authorities will be found who differ in many cases from the 

 facts here presented, especially in regard to ultimate heights, 

 times of flowering, and habits of growth ; but it must be remem- 

 bered that plants are highly sensitive to environment, and that 

 external influences, favorable or otherwise, determine their devel- 

 opment. Here are tabulated the personal observations of the 

 author as he has found the plants under average conditions. 

 The indicated heights of the various shrubs, for instance, are 

 such as they attain in well-kept border-plantings, rather than 

 the maximum growth found in individual specimens planted 

 singly. 



The beautifying of home grounds is rapidly becoming a habit 

 among a great majority of our people. It is a habit happily 

 encouraged by influences on every hand. By " home grounds " 

 is meant not alone the spacious surroundings of the suburban 

 mansion, but equally the less extensive village " lot " or city 

 " back yard." Possibilities are ever present. Even a few square 

 feet, given the necessary care, will support something that grows 

 into beauty. An unsightly heap of stones, of promiscuous char- 

 acter and lineage, may be transformed into a garden of plants 

 whose character suits them to such forbidding surroundings. A 

 few helpful suggestions may perhaps show the way to surprising 

 improvement; and the satisfaction thus attained is a reward to 

 be coveted. 



If the author has succeeded in so presenting such suggestions 

 that they will prove of benefit to his readers, he will feel that his 

 efforts have not been in vain. 



The botanical names given in this book are based upon the 

 nomenclature accepted in Bailey's Cyclopedia of American 

 Horticulture and the Index Kewensis. The popular names are 

 those in most general usage. In the capitalization of the specific 

 names the rules of the recent Botanical Congress of Vienna have 

 been followed and only those specific names which are derived 

 from the names of persons or those which have been used as 

 generic names have been capitalized. 



Professor E. A. White and Dr. H. T. Fernald of the Mass. 

 Agricultural College have rendered valuable assistance in the 



