146 



NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FARM 



it has the advantage of them, and can su])j)rcss them with its 

 shade. By the roadside and in the fence-row, where the 

 fanner keeps the trees cut do\\Ti, >-et does not plow, there they 

 find their best openings. And, indeed, it were better for the 

 farmer to raise "brush" in his roadside than to kill the brush 

 and raise weeds there to contaminate his fields; better to 

 cover the bare and barren slo])e with soil-consen.'ing shrub- 

 bery than to have its soil slipping away into the streams; 

 better to fill the border of his la^^Tl with these plants that are 

 beautiful in foliage and flower and fruit, than to be forever 

 mowing the whole of it. 



■<:/] 



Pig. 58. Diagram of buds and leaf scars; a, in black-berried elder; b, in ninebark; 

 c. in red osier dogwood and d, in witch-hazel. 



The thing to do with the "brush" is first of all to study it a 

 little, and find out what it is good for. If only by its shelter 

 it pro\-ides nesting sites and keeps some useful and beautiful 

 song-birds about the place, it may still be worth while. It 

 may also provide food for tlic birds, if proper shrubs be 

 chosen (see page 201). And if rightly used-if used in such 

 ways and places as nature's ]:>lantings suggest — it adds nuich of 

 interest and value to an\' i)ropert}', in the beauty and grace of 

 its flowers and foliage. 



