e 
128 ANNUAL REPORT. 
certain tree or group upon one side of the grounds, that its exact counterpart 
must be on the other is entirely erroneous. Nature does not balance up that 
way. We always plant to break up the appearance of a level, therefore we plant 
clumps on the highest points to make them look higher, and leave the grass to 
rule the low places. If there should be a hollow or gully in the ground, plant 
trees in the highest margins to give them the appearance of great depth. In 
this way you can give an undulating appearance to the tolerably level tracts. 
When we come to deal with the city lot, small in area, we must change our 
plans. Here, we want first, a clean, closely cut lawn, as the first requisite, 
at the side of the entrance, standing well toward the center of the lawn a single 
vase three or four feet high, wide at the top, and filled with geraniums and trail- 
ing plants. On the other side, a circular bed, planted thickly with coleous and 
other varigated plants. Stop there; don’t plant a tree,.cr put another orna- 
ment from the front fence to a line across the front of the house. On either 
side of the house you may plant a profusion, of flowers or a few trees. 
Whenever you have a fine view, in any directicn, either from the prominent 
windows of the house, or even from the highway, plant trees so as to leave this 
view unobstructed. On the contrary any unsightly object shonld be hidden 
from prominent points of view or screened by trees. This will be a guide, toa 
certain extent, to planting. A very neat background grcuping may be of our 
white birch, relieved by the dark green’ of the Scotch pine, and this in turn by 
the light green of the arbor vita. The birch behind the Scotch pine and trained 
to make the highest growth; the arbor vita in front of the pine and pruned down 
to one-half the height of the latter. If there is room this’group sdould contain 
three or four trees of each sort. For groups in the foreground, the highest trees 
should be near the center, surrounded by those of lower growth; groups should 
not be circular in form, but there should be angles and bold projections, keeping 
in mind, mainly, close planting. This close planting should not be carried to 
that extent that the growth of the trees would be injured by crowding. As to 
the ornaments of the lawn, they should be few and no two alike. Rustic chairs 
and settees, statuary and vases are very popular. Nene of these should be 
white, but of a dull color, to heighten the color of the surroundings, rath- 
er than that the surroundings bring out the colors of the ornaments. An old 
stump, filled with bright flowers, is better than the expensive abominations of 
cast iron dogs and deer. Rock work is very desirable in its place, but ] am of 
the opinion it ought not to be attempted except in the vicinity of a pond or 
stream of water. Flower beds should be placed where their bright colors will 
be subdued a little by a back ground of green, either of foliage or grassy bank. 
They should not be too near the walk, but a distance from it, and so placed 
that they will be in view from the windows of the house. The form of these 
may be round, oval, crescent shaped, or any form, using curved lines in its con- 
struction, avoiding angles and squares. 
There is a much neglected and very important part of the grounds, that as a 
general rule should be improved. I refer to the drying ground. This of course 
will be well back in the rear of the house, and should be large enough to ac- 
commodate all the clothes line the housewife wants. It should have just as 
smooth a surface, be just as cleanly shaven, as the best part of the lawn, and 
surrounded by a low hedge of arbor vite. These directions or suggestions are 
for grounds of considerable size. 
But to go back to our farm. I am aware that to carry out plans -I have 
