228 



FUNDAMENTALS OF AGRICULTURE. 



a totally different form. Not only the adaptability 

 and the color of the flowers and foliage, but the form 

 of the woody plants, must be carefully studied if they 

 are to be used to advantage. 



Changes in Appearance of Plants. There is, fur- 

 thermore, the changing appearance of each plant with 



the change of the season 

 to be considered. During 

 midsummer, when every 

 plant is in full leaf, one 

 takes little note of the 

 evergreens as a class, but 

 in winter, when most of 

 the flowering trees and 

 shrubs have dropped their 

 foliage, every evergreen 

 in the grounds becomes 

 conspicuous. They then 

 show their usefulness, 

 especially if planted to 

 screen unsightly objects 

 from view. In spring, 

 when a host of shrubs are 



full bloom, One 



JAPONICA, AN ORNAMENTAL SHRUB. 



not notice the inconspicu- 



ous flowers of callicarpa (species of shrubs or trees), 

 but in November its purple berried sprays are among 

 the most attractive features of the garden. It is not 

 until winter that one can admire the red twigs of the 

 ozier dogwood, and the many bright-fruited plants that 

 brighten the shrubbery border throughout the dull 

 season. 



Autumn Color, too, is easily provided in every gar- 

 den if the gardener will study the foliage of trees and 

 shrubs. In the North and in the limestone regions of 

 the middle South, the hard maples are gorgeous in 

 their autumn dress. Sweet gum and black gum, sour 

 wood and sumac give rich reds and bronzes before 

 their leaves fall, while every tree and shrub welcomes 



