62 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING 



large variety of trees planted as an irregular border along each 

 side of the drive. In clearing up the country, royal palms, 

 Ceibas, Ingas, Ficus, Spondias and other trees which naturally 

 grow at the sides of the highways are allowed to stand. Where 

 there happen to be open spaces young trees are planted, and in 

 some cases vines and shrubs. As a result the roads are beauti- 

 fully shaded and as one drives along them the eye is greeted with 

 a constantly changing panorama of varying green. Shrubs 

 fill up many of the openings and flowering vines scramble over 

 the whole in places, often covered with gorgeous blossoms. Here 

 there will be a spot so densely shaded that inside there is twi- 

 light at midday; farther on it is more open and one can have 

 glimpses of a lovely country. No description can give any idea 

 of the magnificence and beauty of some of these Cuban highways. 

 I cannot too strongly recommend that this system be, at least, 

 tried here in Florida. In the ordinary way of planting trees 

 along roads or streets in straight rows, if one tree dies it makes a 

 very bad break which can rarely be satisfactorily filled, whereas 

 if the mixed system is adopted the loss of a tree makes little 

 difference. 



There are many other trees of which we know but little which 

 would probably succeed along our roads and not only make good 

 shade but would bear beautiful flowers. Instead of rows of 

 dreary Australian pines which only add to the monotony of our 

 pine woods we should have something to please the eye and 

 remind us of the glory of the tropics. 



A few words may be said on the planting and care of roadside 

 trees. It is worse than useless to grub holes among the palmettos 

 in the pine woods and plant trees therein. Every year or so 

 forest fires rage through the pines and many of the trees which 

 have cost good money and hard labor go up in flame and smoke. 

 A space sufficiently wide should be grubbed and cleared of rub- 

 bish on each side of the road that the trees may grow in safety 

 therein. This should be kept clear as long as there is the least 

 danger of forest fires. Holes of good size should be dug 

 and some kind of fertilizer mixed with the soil. The trees 

 will need occasional hoeing and fertilizing, and it goes without 



