CHAPTER XII. 



RELATIVE BEAUTY OP LAWN, TEEES, SHRUBS, AND 

 FLOWERS. 



THE true lover of nature is so omnivorous in his tastes, 

 that for him to classify her family into different grades of 

 usefulness or beauty, is about as difficult a task as to 

 name which of her vegetable productions is the best 

 food. But though a variety is better than any one, there is, in 

 both cases, strong ground for a decided choice ; and we repeat 

 what has already been suggested, that, of all the external decora- 

 tions of a home, a well kept LAWN is the most essential. Imagine 

 the finest trees environing a dwelling, but everywhere beneath 

 them only bare ground: then picture the same dwelling with a 

 velvet greensward spreading away from it on all sides, without a 

 tree or shrub upon it, and choose which is the most pleasing to the 

 eye. The question of value is not to be considered, but simply 

 which, in connection with the dwelling, will make the most satis- 

 factory impression on the mind. The fine trees are vastly the 



