314 HORTICULTURAL MANUAL. 



mistake is made by beginners in the way of planting 

 evergreens, shade trees, and shrubs on the front lawn, 

 which in a few years develop into a thicket. Even in 

 south California, a few years* ago, the plan of quite thick 

 planting in front of the house soon developed thickets that 

 gave trouble and expense, when observation led to the 

 adoption of a more natural and beautiful system. As yet 

 even the village and city parks and school grounds are 

 often planted with straight rows and without a settled 

 plan. 



But near our larger cities the influence of example and 

 the guidance of the landscape gardener have led to a more 

 methodic system in the way of planting in such manner 

 that the after-growth will form a picture in connection 

 with the well-kept grass that is the canvas on which the 

 picture is outlined. 



300. Starting a New Home. If the purchase and fitting- 

 up of a new place is contemplated, many things should be 

 considered in advance. Other things being equal, the 

 home site should have air-drainage and water-drainage 

 (97). This is desirable for health of family as well as the 

 health of fruits and ornamentals. In a level region, such 

 as is common in the prairie States, an elevation of only a 

 few feet above the general level is desirable. The near- 

 ness to desirable neighbors, church, schoolhouse, and other 

 social advantages should also be regarded where means 

 permit. The quality of the water, nature of the soil and 

 subsoil, and general outlook upon desirable views should 

 also have consideration. In the prairie States, and over 

 the Northern States, a south or east frontage is more 

 desirable than a north or west one. "When the site is 

 selected, set the house back, if possible, far enough to give 

 a desirable lawn in front. 



