" 
282 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Many localities in this prairie land, however, do not possess any 
very attractive features, and in such cases the usual windbreak of 
growing trees, if it enclose land enough for our purpose, is of much 
value to us, for it becomes the frame of the picture we would create. 
The sides of the same towards the house should he added to by the 
irregular planting of trees and shrubs, projecting out into the lawn 
like promentories into a lake, to enclose quiet bays of sunlit sod, so 
arranged that as we pass from room to room in the house or 
through the grounds we may obtain constantly changing views. 
An occasional choice tree may be placed on the lawn, but care 
must be taken not to overdo it, nor to arrange them in mathematical 
order, while thick planting close to the house will generally prove 
particularly objectionable; it is well, however, to introduce near to 
and around the house groups of low growing shrubs, which serve to 
unite the buildings with the grounds in such a way as to make both 
a component part of the picture, rather than conveying the idea of a 
temporary structure, as is often the appearance of a building on the 
bare prairie. 
As to choice of varieties of trees and shrubs for our planting, 
little need be said in this presence, but I fear that I may meet the 
disapprobation of the nurserymen by advising that no experiments 
be tried with interesting and enticing novelties till all the main 
features of the design be brought out in such absolutely handy and 
reliable species that any failure of new and untried varieties may 
not serve asa blemish upon the whole. Although nursery grown 
specimens are of course preferable for transplanting, no one need 
despair of the results who will, with due care, draw upon the re- 
sources of the fields and woods in his vicinity. In a comparison 
which I have made of a catalogue of one of the largest nurseries of 
the country with a recent state botany, I find that 39 varieties of 
trees and 33 varieties of shrubs therein recommended for ornamen- 
tal purposes are found native to some partof Minnesota; and,doubt- 
less, Some varieties and “sports” are now growing in our vicinity 
which will prove of value for our purpose, wherever they have been 
brought to light by some intelligent and interested observer. 
It is by the thoughtful selection and arrangement of the proper 
varieties that the full beauties of our plantations are to be brought 
out through the changing seasons; if flowering shrubs are our 
hobby, then an assortment which would fill the season from May to 
October should be made,while if autumnalcolor be desired,our scar- 
let oaks, maples, sumachs and other native species cannot be ex- 
pelled; shrubs and vines with bright colored and persistent berries, 
as the scarlet-berried elder,the blackelder,tree cranberry, woodbine 
and bittersweet are of much value; and if we wish to brighten the 
winter landscape, in addition to our hardy evergreens, we can sum- 
mon to our aid the golden willow, the scarlet dogwood and the 
moosewood,or striped maple,to finish the much desired color effect. 
The flower lovers may claim that our scheme has neglected their 
particular interests, and so it has, for only in exceptional cases will 
there be found time to care for annual plants; but to those whose 
tastes run in that direction, the introduction of perennial flowering 
