CONCLUSION 191 



CHAPTER XXI 



CONCLUSION— DEVOUTLY HOPED FOR 



THE small householder is apt to think that the cost of perma- 

 nent shrubbery is so great as to be prohibitive to the man 

 of small means. This is not true. The average price of the 

 small deciduous and evergreen shrubs is from twenty-five to 

 seventy-five cents and many of the former can be bought for as 

 little as ten cents each. Many of our most beautiful garden 

 children can be found in the wild woods for the digging and can 

 be safely transplanted, if proper attention is given to pruning 

 and planting at the time of moving. But, when these plants 

 must be bought from the nurserymen (£hd this is the easiest and 

 usually most satisfactory way of handling them) it must be remem- 

 bered that the primary cost is the only one to be considered, so 

 they are really much cheaper in the end than the flowers that 

 grow from seed and must be planted anew each year. 



The ultimate care of a shrubbery border is negligible as com- 

 pared to the borders of annual flowers, which to the average man 

 or woman is the meaning conveyed when one speaks of making 

 a garden. Reliable garden help is very hard to secure, and this 

 is another argument in favor of the garden that is planted with 

 evergreen and deciduous shrubs, that is a joy to the maker of it 

 from its inception, repays every moment of care expended on it, 

 and grows in interest and charm from season to season. No 

 garden was ever made in a day and the starting of it right, with 

 dependable plantings, and with a clear idea of the aim to be 

 reached, will mean untold pleasure in the future. 



