LAWNS AND SHRUBBERY in 



our homesteads. Scattered about the woods in cen- 

 tral New York, I think I could find at least fifty 

 charming and very companionable plants. The 

 sumac is certainly not to be despised, and in some 

 of its forms it can be found in a dozen States. 



Horatio Seymour, the mate of Thomas Jefferson 

 among our statesmen as a Nature lover, called the 

 common elder the most beautiful of all American 

 shrubs. It certainly is something remarkable, both 

 in blossom and in fruitage. I like to let it run at 

 freedom because I love the berries in tarts as well 

 as I admire them on the bushes. 



The hazel and witch-hopple are marvelously in- 

 teresting shrubs and can be found all about the 

 Northern woods. The witch hazel is the only shrub 

 that blossoms in November and it can easily be added 

 to our list. Add now the magnificent laurels and 

 rhododendrons, if you live where the limestone does 

 not forbid; while the evergreen mahonia will give 

 you golden balls of bloom, if you will give it in re- 

 turn a place where the winter's sun cannot disturb 

 it. It will add largely to your pleasure, however, 

 if I leave you to make a thorough search of the 

 woods and forest edges and glens of your neighbor- 

 hood to determine for yourself what may be hidden 

 away that deserves to be brought from its retreat. 



Collecting for a shrubbery a few years ago, I came 

 upon a weeping form of wild cherry, more beautiful 

 than any other wild cherry that I had ever seen. 

 I had as good fortune with a cornus alternifolia. 



