80 OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION: BULLETIN 190 



for such purposes is the red-bud or Judas tree, whose flowers, in a 

 cheery shade of pink, cover the branches before the leaves appear. 

 At the base of evergreens occasional touches of color, such as 

 are afforded by beds of petunia, canna, salvia or other bedding- 

 plants, are highly effective and satisfactory. Owing to their vigor 

 of growth and ease of culture clumps of many of the perennial plants 

 are exceedingly valuable adjuncts used in this'way, and, if left un- 

 disturbed, they will increase in size and beauty from year to year. 

 Foxglove, platycodon, hardy phlox, larkspur and a host of others, 

 from which selection may be made according to the planter's fancy, 

 are available for the purpose. In fact, evergreens form a most ex- 

 cellent background for a great variety of charming hues in flower, 

 fruit and foliage. During the entire cycle of the seasons they may 

 be made to accentuate and brighten an infinite variety of colors in 

 plants, from the humblest flowers to the gorgeous maples. 



Photo ?>v Waid, 



FIG. Ill Arborvitaes, Japan Cypress and Irish Juniper grouped 

 against deciduous shrubs and trees. 



WINDBREAKS, SHELTER BELTS AND SCREENS. 



Every country home should have its shelter belt of evergreens. 

 Windbreaks are not meant for the sole use of extensive orchardists, 

 as was once thought, but should be so commonly planted as to pro- 

 tect every home exposed in the least to the ravages of wind and 

 storm. The saving in fuel alone will defray the cost of planting 

 material in a few years' time. Nor need one wait a dozen years or 

 even half so long for evergreens to grow large enough to afford a 

 protection against piercing winds. Results may be secured in a 

 comparatively short time by planting quite thickly, the superfluous 

 trees to be removed from time to time as they encroach upon those 



