The Canadian Horticulturi^ 



Floral Eldition 



Vol. XLV. 



TORONTO, MAY, 1922 



dbe 



No. 5 



Beautifying the Home Surroundings' 



HE improvement or beautifica- 

 tion of home , surroundings 

 means not only planting a few 

 flowering plants or a tree adjoining 

 the house, but bringing about the 

 heautification of the whole neighbor- 

 liood. 



The Creator has given us a wonder- 

 ful landscape rich in streams, trees, 

 meadows ond flowers. The progress 

 of industry often causes the removal 

 of these, and we have instead crowded 

 industrial centres Where such as 

 flowers and trees have little chance. 



Mankind has always been associated 

 with the beauty and wonder of the 

 sky and the earth's surface. The 

 human family cannot remain healthy 

 in body and soul if the direct sun's 

 rays, fresh air and restful scenery are 

 excluded. Crowded conditions result 

 in an inferior generation. We are in- 

 debted to the Creator for these first 

 gifts, and restoration of some kind is 

 needed. 



This suggests that a working plan 

 is necessary for any constructional or 

 reconstructional scheme. There is a 

 right location for homes, public build- 

 ings, factories, parks and playgrounds. 

 Furthermore, all must be planned with 

 due consideration for traffic. 



Responsibility of Individual. 



The work of improvement rests 

 with the individual as well as public 

 bodies. One enthusiastic lover of the 

 beautiful, after making his own imme- 

 diate home surroundings worth while, 



•A paper presented at the recent convention 

 of the Ontario Horticultural Association. 



A. H. Tomlinson, O.A.C., Guelph, Ont. 



may create, largely through his ex- 

 ample, community interest in improv- 

 ing home grounds, streets and well- 

 ordered open spaces. Nowadays much 

 greater attention is being given to this 

 movement, but there is a great need 

 for further education and develop, 

 ment. Ugliness and unhealthy condi- 

 tions must give way to the beautiful 

 and healthful. 



Follow a Definite System. 

 One may consider the advisability 

 and scope of home ground improve- 

 ments to a degree; but with these 

 schemes, whether small or large, some 

 definite system should be followed. 

 The aim should be to create a har- 

 monious whole, even though there 

 may be many units. From a landscape 

 gardening point of view two great 

 styles predominate, viz., the natural- 

 istic or landscape style and the formal 

 or architectural. These include many 

 subordinate styles or systems. Where 

 the buildings are of marked architec- 

 tural importance, the formal style 

 should be followed particularly at the 

 main entrances. A naturalistic ar- 

 rangement of trees and evergreens 

 may form the background and proceed 

 also from the immediate front lawn or 

 terrace. The formal style should be 

 of definite design, and may be com- 

 plete or a part of a larger scheme. It 

 may be adopted for a flat area where 

 space is limited, or slopes. Variety 

 may be introduced with statuary, ter- 

 races, still water, enclosures and ac- 

 centuations made with planting 

 material. 



The naturalistic style is brought 

 about with uneven surfaces, open 

 lawns, group planting, vistas, running 

 water and an absence of apparent 

 boundaries. Extensive grounds may 

 have various minor gardens, such as 

 Italian, Dutch or sunken, a rosarium, 

 a rock and wild flower garden, and yet 

 the style of the whole be naturalistic. 



Whatever style predominates in any 

 system there must be a definite theme 

 characterizing the whole ; variety 

 ought to be featured, yet dignity and 

 expression must be paramount. 



Let's Plant Something. 



With all due regard 'to styles in 

 landscape art, systems, plans and de- 

 signs, let's plant something! Trees for 

 beauty and shade; evergreens for 

 shelter in winter and for a restful 

 effect in summer; flowers for a con- 

 tinuous blooming from spring until 

 fall ; open spaces for grass and play- 

 ground! Furthermore, the scheme 

 should have a local expression. It 

 should be Canadian in particular. Our 

 expanse of country must be con- 

 sidered. We should never crowd in 

 planting. The beautiful should be the 

 aim, but attention must be given to 

 protection from the sun's rays in sum- 

 mer and from the wind storms of 

 winter. 



What to Plant. 



What to plant may concern us! Our 

 native flora and sylva ought to be 

 planted in the right places, and must 

 not be forgotten! Many indigenous 

 varieties are hard to beat. Amongst 



Display of Delphinium Jn Garden of Judge Reynolds, Brockvllle, Ont. 

 The Delphinium (perennial larkspur) Is one of the most beautiful of all flowers, and exhibits splendidly the various shades of blue. It is Invalu- 

 able for either cutting or outdoor display. 



