342 ANNUAL BEPOET. 



PEKCING. 



In the first place, I would not have any more fencing or gates than are absolutely 

 necessary for protection, and in this country where all kinds of stock are fenced, it 

 is not so necessary to fence yards, and no fence at all looks better than a homely 

 unpainted one. In cities and towns 1 think it looks much better to do without 

 fences, and let the sodding come to the walk, and from the outside of the walk to 

 the road; besides its looking better, it is indicative of the common brotherhood of 

 man, and cultivates a mutual interest in the good appearance of all. 



PLANTIKG. 



In the first place select a patch of ground in front of the house, according to the 

 side of the yard that is scrupulously retained for green grass. It must not be 

 shaded by trees or encumbered with anything whatever. It should be of pure 

 blue grass to suit me, well enriched, if possible well watered, and kept closely cut. 

 A few well kept flower and rose beds, near the house, that can be seen from the 

 windows on the south and east sides, are desirable. In addition to these there 

 should be a plat exclusively devoted to flowers, the same as to a vegetable garden; 

 but don't put the sweet flowers near the unsightly cabbages, tomatoes and onions; 

 let them occupy a warm and pleasant spot by themselves, or, if they must be near 

 together, set an arbor vitse screen to separate them. 



Trees and shrubs should be planted in groups. In the country set out a grove of 

 hard maples on the north and west. Three hundred trees will make a good one. 

 Do not set them in rows, but twelve to eighteen feet apart, with no three trees in 

 a line. It will tax your ingenuity somewhat to do it, but it can be done. Plow 

 this grove with one horse and a common stirring plow four or five times each sum- 

 mer, and in a few years you will have a joy to behold. 



On the road side and bordering the lanes, plant alternate trees of elm and soft 

 maple; plow these trees also and make them grow. The soft maple will grow up 

 quick and furnish shade, and when they are blown all to pieces by the wind, the 

 elms will be there to take their place. Do not allow crotches to form, and keep the 

 heads well cut back so they will not break with the hard winds. Evergreens can 

 be introduced in groups of three, five or more, according to the size of the yard. 

 A good place for them is in the corners of the yard. If the grounds are large, there 

 should be a group of nice shade trees near by where one can go to rest in their 

 hammock and watch the children playing on the green. Lindens, Maples, Elms or 

 Box Elders are good for this. If you have a fine view in any direction, do not shut 

 it out by anything. 



It is always nice to have one or more specimen trees on the ground. If the space 

 is limited, cut-leaved Birch, Mt. Ash, English Alder, Larch, Weep Mt. Ash, or 

 Weep Poplar are good. These should all enter into the adornment of larger grounds _ 

 But where one can have them there is nothing handsomer than our Burr and Red 

 Oaks. The majestic branches of the former with its artistic covering of rough 

 bark. The beautiful leaves of the latter that remain on the tree nearly all winter,, 

 together with their symmetrical forms, make them most desirable. Do not try to 

 have every tree look as if it had been turned in a lathe. A rough, leaning tree with 

 a limb broken off, looks well in a picture, and a tree artist never fails to introduce 

 them. They give variety and make the place look natural. The Linden is a grand 



