218 Ornamental Sforubs. 



the banks of streams and miniature lakes, shrubs ami ever- 

 green trees are often more desirable than larger deciduous 

 trees, which are apt to make such waters look more insig- 

 nificant thau they really are, while the endeavor should be 

 to produce cpiite the opposite result by means of judicious 

 planting. When planted in groups, too dissimilar forms 

 must not be brought together in one and the same group ; 

 for while diversity is desirable and necessary, there is a 

 limit to contrast over which we cannot pass without making 

 our work disagreeable instead of pleasing. 



On bare hillsides and sandy, sterile ground, low tufted 

 and spreading shrubs may be used instead of grass for cov- 

 ering the surface, such as crowberry, sand myrtle, cross- 

 leaved heath, and purple heather. They are insignificant 

 as individuals and effective iu large masses only. St. John's- 

 wort and several plants of the heath family are useful for 

 covering the ground in shady places. 



A failure is often made in growing ericaceous plants, 

 Vacciniums, Andromedas, and similar forms, simply because 

 they are grown under too artificial conditions. It is gener- 

 ally supposed that these plants require a peaty soil, but in 

 reality they are found growing in rich and damp woods 

 among the common trees, in very ordinary soil, especially 

 in sandy loam covered with a layer of decayed leaves. 

 Many grow in swamps in several inches of water, during 

 the better part of spring and all rainy seasons. A shal- 

 low layer of sandy loam mixed with leaf-mould on clay 

 subsoil, in situations where the ground can be submerged 

 in water for weeks together, are the most natural con- 

 ditions for these. Others will grow anywhere in rich 



