128 Landscape Gardening 



There is nothing which adds so much to the comfort of 

 the travelling public as well-shaded streets, and a compara- 

 tively short time is required for our most rapidly growing 

 trees to reach the size to afford considerable shade; but, 

 whether we live to enjoy or see others enjoy their beauty 

 and shade or not, we are certain that if properly planted in 

 suitable soil more than one generation will be benefited 

 by them. If every landowner would trim up and care for 

 a few trees found growing by his roadside, or plant a few 

 each year where none are now growing, it would be but a 

 short time before our country would be noted for the beauty 

 of its roadways, as well as for the general comfort and beauty 

 of the homes of its common people. 



Trees found growing by our roadsides will often be of many 

 varieties and will seldom be in such exact lines as if planted, 

 but often more real beauty will be the result of this variety 

 and irregularity of line and spacing. In many cases very 

 beautiful results will be obtained by this irregular arrange- 

 ment; at many points along a roadway interesting views of 

 extended landscapes or glimpses of water are brought to 

 view that would be hidden if the line of trees was unbroken. 

 Fig. 73 shows a beautiful roadside picture. 



Along almost every country road may be found young 

 trees that have sprung up from seed planted by nature in 

 the shelter of the stone wall or fence and hedge-rows. These 

 trees are generally well rooted, and if allowed to grow and 

 are given proper care as to pruning and protection while 

 young they will make better formed, more hardy and long- 

 lived trees than those grown in the nurseries. Should the 

 trees have been injured by growing too closely, their form 

 may be remedied as described in Chapter VII on "Renovat- 

 ing Old Places." 



