HOME GROUNDS 145 



and if these are not changed by the removal of a 

 natural mulch of leaves, the lowering of the water- 

 table, or in some other way, the tree should live 

 for another hundred years. A study of the native 

 woods in the vicinity will help materially in solv- 

 ing the problem of what to plant. As it is im- 

 portant not to cut off sunshine from the house, a 

 small place should not have tall-growing trees, 

 especially toward the east, south and west, when 

 the lines of the rooms are parallel to the cardinal 

 points of the compass. Sometimes a large tree 

 may be placed diagonally out from the corner of 

 the house and do no harm, because the sun can 

 shine directly into all the rooms at some time dur- 

 ing the day. A personal fondness for certain plants 

 will play a large part in the selection. Some per- 

 sons like lilacs and others do not. Some have an 

 aversion to evergreens, and others wish them in 

 abundance. In making the choice, one is deter- 

 mining w r hat to place against the sky canvas. One 

 is selecting the forms and colors that harmonize 

 with each other at all seasons of the year and es- 

 pecially during the time the house is to be occupied. 

 The choice of plants may be influenced by one's 

 preference for etchings or paintings. 



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