246 The Farmstead 



For all such things as lilacs, mock oranges, 

 Japan quinces, and bushes that are found along 

 the roadsides, two or three feet apart is about 

 right. Some will die anyway. Cut them back 

 one -half when they are planted. They will 

 look thin and stiff for two or three years ; but 

 after that they will crowd the spaces full, lop 

 over on the sod, and make a billow of green. 

 Prepare the land well, plant carefully, and let 

 the bushes alone. 



We now come to the details, — the particular 

 kinds of plants to use. One great principle will 

 simplify the matter : the main planting should 

 be for foliage effects. That is, think first of 

 giving the place a heavy border- mass. Flowers 

 are mere decorations. 



Select those trees and shrubs which are the 

 commonest, because they are cheapest, hardiest 

 and most likely to grow. There is no farm 

 so poor that enough plants cannot be secured, 

 without money, for the home yard. You will 

 find the plants in the woods, in old yards, along 

 the fences. It is little matter if no one knows 

 their names. What is handsomer than a tangled 

 fence -row? 



Scatter in a few trees along the fence and 

 about the buildings, particularly if the place is 

 large and bare. Maples, basswood, elms, ashes, 

 buttonwood, pepperidge, oaks, beeches, birches, 



