62 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING 
large variety of trees planted as an irregular border along each 
side of the drive. In clearing up the country, royal palms, 
Ceibas, Ingas, Ficus, Spondias and other trees which naturally 
grow at the sides of the highways are allowed to stand. Where 
there happen to be open spaces young trees are planted, and in 
some cases vines and shrubs. As a result the roads are beauti- 
fully shaded and as one drives along them the eye is greeted with 
a constantly changing panorama of varying green. Shrubs 
fill up many of the openings and flowering vines scramble over 
the whole in places, often covered with gorgeous blossoms. Here 
there will be a spot so densely shaded that inside there is twi- 
light at midday; farther on it is more open and one can have 
glimpses of a lovely country. No description can give any idea 
of the magnificence and beauty of some of these Cuban highways. 
I cannot too strongly recommend that this system be, at least, 
tried here in Florida. In the ordinary way of planting trees 
along roads or streets in straight rows, if one tree dies it makes a 
very bad break which can rarely be satisfactorily filled, whereas 
if the mixed system is adopted the loss of a tree makes little 
difference. 
There are many other trees of which we know but little which 
would probably succeed along our roads and not only make good 
shade but would bear beautiful flowers. Instead of rows of 
dreary Australian pines which only add to the monotony of our 
pine woods we should have something to please the eye and 
_ remind us of the glory of the tropics. 
A few words may be said on the planting and care of roadside 
trees. It is worse than useless to grub holes among the palmettos 
in the pine woods and plant trees therein. Every year or so 
forest fires rage through the pines and many of the trees which 
have cost good money and hard labor go up in flame and smoke. 
A space sufficiently wide should be grubbed and cleared of rub- 
bish on each side of the road that the trees may grow in safety 
therein. This should be kept clear as long as there is the least 
danger of forest fires. Holes of good size should be dug 
and some kind of fertilizer mixed with the soil. The trees 
will need occasional hoeing and fertilizing, and it goes without 
