CHAPTER XIV 



DECORATIVE PLANTING 



Purpose. The purpose of decorative planting is to add to 

 the comfort and attractiveness of our surroundings by plant- 

 ing those plants that are conspicuous either for the beauty of 

 their flowers, the color and cutting of their foliage, or the 

 symmetry of their form, thus making homes of houses and 

 parks of wildernesses. Not all planting of this kind, how- 

 ever, can be called decorative. To be entitled to the name it 

 must proceed along definite lines, with a preconceived design 

 in mind ; for unless a definite plan is adhered to, the result is 

 likely to be lacking in harmony and coherence. In planting the 

 home grounds the aim should be to set off the house to the 

 best advantage, emphasizing the good points and concealing 

 the poor ones ; in short, to make a picture, with the house as 

 the central figure and the borders as the frame. 



Lawn making. Few things add more to the beauty of the 

 home grounds than a broad expanse of well-kept lawn, but 

 this can be produced only by proper care in the making. If 

 the old lawn is unsatisfactory, it is best to spade or plow it up 

 in late fall or early spring and start a new one. The first 

 step in lawn making is to see that the land is properly drained. 

 If it is not, this should be taken care of by one or more lines 

 of tile drain. After digging, the soil should be very thor- 

 oughly worked over until it is well pulverized and carefully 

 leveled. If the soil is lacking in fertility, a quantity of well- 

 rotted manure should be worked into it, or other fertilizers 

 applied. Small lawns should be perfectly level unless the 

 residence is on sloping ground. In the latter case it is much 



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