260 Elementary Principles of Agriculture 



great a contrast with the natural openness that is so 

 characteristic of farm life. 



372. Planning a Home Lot is a matter requiring 

 much study. Along with the study of the view of the 

 home site from within and without, we must cautiously 

 plan for all the conveniences for the living of both man 

 and beast. The location of the house, the barns, poultry 

 houses, roads, gardens, orchards and fences should 

 first be studied from the standpoint of convenience and 

 healthfulness. When these features are planned, then 

 we may study how to complete the picture and introduce 

 those features that make a residence " home-like." 



373. Completing the Picture. In placing the trees, 

 shrubs and flower-beds, we should consider first the 

 outlook from the house, the view that we will see most 

 often. Next we may consider the view from the highway. 

 In both cases the openness of view should be preserved. 

 In planting the trees and shrubs we are using them 

 only as materials. They may make or mar the view, 

 according to the way we arrange them. Fig. 169. 



374. Locating the Plants. In making a plan, the 

 grouping of the plants should be carefully worked out. 

 For every plant to be used, we must know how it will 

 look, and how much space is required when fully mature. 

 After a satisfactory knowledge of the plants has been 

 gained, we may mark the place for each on our plan 

 (Fig. 169). The way the plants are grouped makes a 

 great difference in the appearance of the place. Every 

 attractive picture has some one central object. In mak- 

 ing a picture on the landscape, the home, or the school- 

 house is to be made the central feature. As a picture 

 is often marred by a poor frame, so may a landscape 

 lose its attractiveness by improper use of plants. 



