PROBLEMS 189 



supply enough morning glories, Japanese hops or 

 \Yild cucumber vines to cover a very large porch in 

 a short time. Even the edible "scarlet runner" 

 bean can be used for this purpose. 



At the back there must be some planting to 

 screen the hen-yards, and it is quite possible to use 

 food plants for this purpose. Currant-bushes 

 make a very good screen, or the handsome common 

 sunflower will grow into an impenetrable hedge in 

 a short time. The seeds will also serve as food for 

 the hens, so a planting of sunflowers will combine 

 esthetic and economic values. 



Now arises the question of flowers and vegeta- 

 bles. Flowering shrubs, which make a good 

 screen, and a background for perennials as w^ell, 

 can be planted along the sides of the lot, or if these 

 are too expensive, vines, hollyhocks, or sunflowers 

 may be substituted. The vegetables may go to- 

 ward the back, as clear space must be provided for 

 the laundry-yard. A very informal use of flowers 

 will be perfectly satisfactory, as they will neces- 

 sarily be massed on account of restricted space, 

 and the other planting will not be so severe as to 

 insist upon elaborate design. 



The success of such a planting scheme will de- 

 pend entirely upon its usefulness. 



