154 COME INTO THE GARDEN 



tions probably, hence do not appreciate what 

 we are inflicting upon ourselves and upon our 

 neighbors. 



All of which is apropos of the craze for vari- 

 colored foliage, for the golden this and the silver 

 that — and the blue spruce. Growing in the lit- 

 tle groves of its kind as Nature scatters it, or 

 here and there on the banks of western streams, 

 this tree is an interesting, beautiful and attrac- 

 tive species; but brought into the dooryard and 

 set down under the windows it is almost invari- 

 ably out of key with everything in sight. And 

 so far from being impressive after its youth is 

 past, its symmetrical beauty of form is early 

 lost and it becomes ugly and unsightly. 



Be sure that the normal type of vegetation 

 is the only safe type to plant — safe because per- 

 manent, and truly beautiful because normal; do 

 not let the promises of any person, interested or 

 disinterested, avail to break a resolution to stick 

 to this. WTien in doubt about anything, or al- 

 most persuaded, yet not certain of the effect that 

 will result, do not buy. Test the fitness of every 

 specimen introduced by the good stiff test of 

 logic and common sense. 



It is with the adornment of outdoors precisely 

 the same as with the adornment of indoors; 

 deep, quiet tones extend lines and distances as 



