I89I. 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



167 



water effects to the grounds. The quality 

 of the soil also is naturally favorable, being 

 a light loam. 



A chief object had in mind in preparing ! 

 the plan was to provide something simple in i 

 character, yet marked by numerous features 

 of boldness, to overcome the tameness found 

 in the even surface. In work of this kind 

 there is a temptation to overdo, by bringing ! 

 in so many and such a variety of features | 



The plat marked 2 is much smaller 

 than the front one. It is to derive its beauty 

 from the gracefulness of its outline, its open 

 center of sward, which we recommend shall 

 be slightly crowning at the middle, and the 

 pleasing clumps of trees and shrubs near the 

 margin. In each instance the latter have 

 been brought in the strongest in the direc- 

 tion of the heavier plantings across the 

 drive. The ob.iect of this is two-fold; first 



forest or grove than is desirable for the 

 other plats, not, however, to the exclusion 

 of an open area in the center of each. It 

 will be noticed that the walk in this part is 

 carried through the forest here and there, 

 thus making a wood-path in reality. This 

 portion of the grounds affords an oppor- 

 tunity for growing a large stock of fine 

 native and other trees and shrubs. The 

 heavy mass of wood just around the head 



PRIVATE PARK EMBODYING MANY ATTRACTIVE FEATURES. 



that the idea of reposeful scenery is quite 

 out of question. Following a sensible sug- 

 gestion of the owner, the attempt was not 

 made to see how much could be crowded 

 into the seven acres, but rather how well 

 what should be introduced could be arranged 

 on the basis of the right thing in the right 

 quantity and at the right place. 



As a good beginning the buildings were 

 well placed for making as much as possible 

 of the garden effects. They are strung along 

 one side— the north side— of the grounds 

 near to the street end, thus giving good 

 stretches of lawn in every direction towards 

 the opposite boundary. 



The buildings so located admit of the en- 

 trance drive being carried to the right of the 

 dwelling, and by an easy curve to the left 

 of the cottage, glass houses and other struc- 

 tures, in a way wholly consistent with good 

 taste. Continuing from a point near the 

 barn, the drive system is elaborated by the 

 use of bold curves to extend across and do^vn 

 through the grounds, one returning by a 

 pleasing sweep to itself again. A branch is 

 planned to lead to the extreme rear end of 

 the place, where it opens into a street. 

 Walks are brought in here and there in con- 

 nection with the drives, to afford comforta- 

 ble footing at such time as may find the 

 sward wet. 



The general area is planned to be divided 

 by drives and walks, into flvemain platsand 

 numerous smaller ones, the former being 

 indicated on the plan by numbers. These 

 plats vary much in size and shape, which 

 characteristics are further strengthened by 

 the manner of locating the trees and shrubs 

 on each. 



Plat 1, surrounding the house, is properly 

 the boldest and handsomest section of the 

 place. It is designed to afford nearly an 

 unbroken stretch of lawn from the highway 

 to its extreme point BOO feet back. Provision 

 is made along the margin of the plat, op- 

 posite the house, for an irregular fringe of 

 trees and shrubs throughout it entire length. 

 A few clumps are also brought in away from 

 the marginal fringe here and there over the 

 area and along the drive. Together this 

 fringe is to embrace enough fine Howering 

 and other shrubs and trees, to always be 

 attractive to the eye as seen from either the 

 residence, and other buildings, the street or 

 the drive. Bold touches of such a selection 

 of flowering shrubs and hardy plants are to 

 be introduced, as will bring to view an 

 abundance of bloom every month of the 

 growing season. Towards the rear end sev- 

 eral beds of tender plants, having bright 

 foliage or flowers, can be accomodated with 

 good effect. 



to throw a relationship between these and 

 the heavier masses beyond, as if broken off 

 from them. Second, to add to the interest 

 of the drive by having to pass through the 

 masses of woody growths. To the north- 

 west of this plat and in the smaller one 

 towards the barn, it is designed that ever- 

 green trees be chiefly used, as a means both 

 of protection and to shut out the barn and 

 stable yard from view, at a season when 

 other trees are leafless. 



In all that part to the rear of plat 2 it is de- 

 signed that an effect rather more picuresque 

 and rugged than in the front groiinds shall 

 be produced. The lakelets are to be arti- 

 ficially Jormed, using the soil from these to 

 diversify the surface surroundings. By this 

 means it will be possible to have a consid- 

 erable slope rising from the water in some 

 parts. A bold mound is to be 

 located in the embrace of the 

 rear lakelet, and this is to 

 support an arbor with seats 

 overlooking the water and 

 other portions of this section. 

 The water in this part has 

 its origin near the center of the 

 place, then will lead through 



of the water is to consist in part of such 

 moisture-loving trees as Willows, Alders, 

 Birches, Soft Maples, etc. Provision is 

 made in the long narrow plat below 3 for 

 growing such vegetables as the owner may 

 desire to raise for table use. 



Dihblc itaetl fur Plunging Puts. 



lakelets and rill to the further lake near the 

 west end, where its overflow will be carried 

 outside the grounds. A bog, the surface of 

 which is biit a trifle above the water's level, 

 is brought in adjoining the further lake, and 

 by this it is designed to afford a congenial 

 spot for plants that enjoy much moisture. 



The planting in and about plats 3, 4 and 

 5 it is recommended be more in the order of 



The Pot Dibble-A Useful Tool. 



C. C. WARLAN'DER, MIAMI CO., Omo. 



The article in your last issue by J. H. 

 Salisbury on a new Strawberry planter, re- 

 fers to an implement so much like one used 

 by me for another purpose, that I describe 

 it herewith. Mine is a pot dibble used in 

 plunging pots in summer in the line of 

 flowering plants. Strawberry runners, etc. 

 Its chief value is the remedy it provides 

 against angle worms entering the pots from 

 the drainage hole below, a point that will 

 be highly appreciated by all who know 

 how troublsome these worms usually are in 

 plunged pots. 



In my drawings a shows the tool as made 

 from a block of Maple wood six inches 

 square and 33 inches long. I had mine 

 turned by a cabinet maker, although with 

 considerable care, one could be shaved 

 down with a draw knife. The nearer per- 

 fectly round it is the better will it be suited 

 to its purpose. The tool is completed by 

 the addition of a handle as shown and this 

 might be from an old spade. 



Figure b shows the use of the tool in the 

 case of a Geranium pot plunged in soil. 

 The pot in this instance was of a size that 

 required the dibble to be thrust into the 

 plunging soil to its entire length. In put- 

 ting the pot down it should be pressed in 

 rather firmly. Besides getting the best of 

 angle worms two other important gains 

 are secured, namely: the pot is afforded 

 perfect drainage, and the trouble of "root- 

 ing through " the drain hole of the pot is 

 overcome. 



Figure c represents the use of the dibble 

 for a smaller sized pot. Coming to a point 

 as it does, the tool can be used for pots of 

 the smallest size quite as readily as for 

 larger ones. 



In getting ready for plunging pots by this 

 means, the soil should first be worked over 

 to a depth equal to the length of the dibble, 

 otherwise it will be difficult to thrust it into 

 the earth. In pressing it down the weight 

 of the body may be applied through the foot 

 placed on top of the dibble. This tool also 

 comes into play at times in transplanting 

 small shrubs, vines, etc. Were it made 

 somewhat shorter, I think it would answer 

 as well for setting Strawberry plants as the 

 tool described by your correspondent. 



