THE BACK YARD AS A SUMMER EETEEAT 



have much space plant the posts at the cor- 

 ners, as shown in Fig. 2618. The plot of 

 turf in the centre should not be broken with 

 flower beds. A group of acquatic plants 

 can sometimes be introduced, however, by 



Fig 2618 



THE Englishman realizes the value of 

 flowers in and about his home as 

 a refreshing element. In the city 

 or country the stately mansion or humble 

 cottage is never without its note of color 

 given by potted plants showing at the win- 

 dow or planted in the available space about 

 the dooryard. American city dwellings 

 rarely have more than a few square feet of 

 ground in the rear of the building, but by 

 ingenuity and care much can be done to 

 beautify this little breathing space. 



Assuming that a high board fence sepa- 

 rates our yard from that of our neighbor, 

 let us consider it the frame for a picture. 

 For a space of two feet from the ground 

 paint the boards dark, quiet green. Above 

 this use a cream, white, or very pale green. 

 This will make a pleasant, harmonious back- 

 ground for the delicate tracery of leaves 

 and flowers growing against the fence. The 

 clothes lines should be fastened to posts set 

 at the outside edge of the walk. If you 



Fig 2619. 



sinking a half barrel in the ground, as 

 shown in Fig. 2619. But do not attempt 

 to sacrifice this valuable space to flower 

 jDcds or floral effects of any sort unless you 

 have an abundance of room. 



Fig. 2620. 



