PEOBLEMS 189 



supply enough morning glories, Japanese hops or 

 wild cucumber vines to cover a very large porch in 

 a short time. Even the edible " scarlet runner" 

 bean can be used for this purpose. 



At the back there must be some planting to 

 screen the hen-yards, and it is quite possible to use 

 food plants for this purpose. Currant-bushes 

 make a very good screen, or the handsome common 

 sunflower will grow into an impenetrable hedge in 

 a short time. The seeds will also serve as food for 

 the hens, so a planting of sunflowers will combine 

 esthetic and economic values. 



Now arises the question of flowers and vegeta- 

 bles. Flowering shrubs, which make a good 

 screen, and a background for perennials as well, 

 can be planted along the sides of the lot, or if these 

 are too expensive, vines, hollyhocks, or sunflowers 

 may be substituted. The vegetables may go to- 

 ward the back, as clear space must be provided for 

 the laundry-yard. A very informal use of flowers 

 will be perfectly satisfactory, as they will neces- 

 sarily be massed on account of restricted space, 

 and the other planting will not be so severe as to 

 insist upon elaborate design. 



The success of such a planting scheme will de- 

 pend entirely upon its usefulness. 



