INDIANA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 299 



It is advisable to have your schemes well thought out before begin- 

 ning work, or you are apt to be disappointed, as success depends on 

 simple schemes until the time comes when you feel entire confidence in 

 your ability to do more elaborate work. "A real love of nature is one 

 of the most valuable possessions which you can have, since it will con- 

 tinue to afford you happiness as long as you live." 



The fashion of long walks bordered with the old sweet flowers of 

 our grandmothers has vanished, and in its place the green velvet lawn, 

 which should be clipped closely to be pleasing to the eye. The walks 

 should be kept free of weeds, and the flower beds along the division lines 

 that border the house and side fences, if any, should be planted so as to 

 secure a harmonious blaze of color all summer. The flowers should not 

 be planted in a wild fashion, but to secure pleasing results. For the 

 background plant the taller plants, and in front of these smaller ones, 

 and so one down. Bulbs make a beautiful display, and with a little care 

 we may plant these, so we will have flowers from snow to snow. If the 

 lawn is large enough, there should be some shrubbery, kept well pre- 

 served. 



Every home should be made attractive by wide verandas, with vines 

 and rambling roses all about them. These must be trained with an idea 

 of beautifying the home and lawn. It is not necessary to expend a 

 large sum of money for these, as we can use native vines and shrubs. 

 These make a beautiful yard. Let the idea of comfort prevail in all 

 you do. Put a rustic seat here and there, a swing or hammock, chair and 

 a hammock, so that your lawn has an air that seems to invite you to a 

 place of rest and comfort. Do not have it so fine you will have to put 

 up the dreaded park sign, "Keep off the grass." This subject takes in 

 the back yard problem, which Mrs. Stevens so ably told us about a year 

 or two ago, but which will bear airing many times. How many times do 

 we see the front and side yards well kept, while the back Is strewn with 

 all manner of rubbish. They should be cleared, seeded to grass or filled 

 with vines, fiowers, plants and shrubbery, with here and there a rustic 

 seat for the weary people to recreate upon, when they do not feel pre- 

 sentable to appear on the front lawn. The lawn should be provided with 

 ample shade. Cover old fences, buildings, etc., with vines such as morn- 

 ing glories, sweet peas, wild cucumber, gourds, scarlet beans, woodbine or 

 anything to suit your fancy, and they will be converted into things of 

 beauty. It is a wise saying, "To grow a few good flowers, and to grow 

 them well is vastly more satisfactory than to try and grow everything." 



The weeds must be kept down to have beautiful flowers and grass. 

 Therefore, dig among your beds daily and make it an infallible rule to 

 pull up every weed when you see it. Before planting, see that your lawn 

 is thoroughly cleaned. If you do not know what to do with the rubbish, 

 bury it. There is much consolation in the thought "that a wave of beauty 

 is about to strike the American shore." This wave will carry away all 



