CHAPTER X 

 Evergreen Trees 



IEGEND has it that the pinon was the first tree to rise from 

 _j the bare, brown bosom of the earth. Certain it is that 

 something deep and elemental stirs the heart when the 

 voices of all this great whispering tribe breathe their mysteries 

 into human ears. And equally certain it is that evergreens 

 always have struck, and always will strike, the supreme note in a 

 landscape — a note that Hfts the imagination to splendid heights. 



But it is all too seldom that they are planted with reference 

 to this. In modem gardening they are too apt to be " speci- 

 mens, ' ' such as the glaucous-f oliaged spruces, or golden arbor- 

 vitaes; or else they are relegated to the merely utihtarian, and 

 planted as shelter belts for something that stands before them 

 and focuses the attention. Which is a great pity, for in either 

 case the real and lofty grandeur of the order is overlooked and 

 hopelessly dimmed, if not altogether obscured. 



To be sure, the question of purpose must be kept in mind quite 

 as much here as in all other phases of gardening, for a reason for 

 planting must exist, else there can be no excuse for planting 

 — ^but this reason need not altogether lack an esthetic side. 

 Precise, straight rows of hemlocks or spruce may afford shelter 

 from the wind, and may hide a view that is objectionable; 

 but it is such planting, utterly devoid of imagination and feeling, 



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