1896.] ESSAYS. 47 



In deciding upon the proper location for ornamental trees, a few 

 general rules may be laid down. First, study the surrounding country 

 carefully, and decide what outlooks from windows or piazzas must he 

 left unobstructed; leave open vistas where the views will afford 

 pleasure ; and, if in any direction there are little if any attractions 

 for the eye, locate your trees there, either singly or in groups, as 

 space will admit. It is often desirable to plant thickly, witli a view 

 of thinning out a part of them when they become over-crowded. But 

 in my years of life among the trees and association with those who 

 have a fondness for tree life and development, I find that it takes more 

 real courage to order removed, from the lawn, a tree that has been 

 planted with one's own hand, and carefully tended for a score or more of 

 years, than it does to attack one's dwelling or stable, and so re-arrange 

 and re-construct them, that there is hardly a vestige left of the original 

 building, to mark its identity in a neighborhood. Again, having 

 decided upon what feature of the landscape we wish to preserve un- 

 l)roken, let us turn our attention nearer home to some existing condi- 

 tions, that require the planting of trees to shield them from our gaze. 



There may be some of the numerous outbuildings on our grounds, 

 or perhaps on an adjoining estate, that are not particularly pleasing in 

 their effect upon the landscape. Here a group of the smaller growth 

 of trees, of flowering shrubs, and possibly the evergreen species, will 

 be brought into requisition, the taller trees in the background and the 

 flowering shrubs in the front of the same. 



Occasionally we find the barnyard enclosure, where the stock are 

 turned out for air and exercise in the winter season, to l^e the most 

 conspicuous feature of the place. Here the grouping of the stronger 

 growth of shrubs, with an occasional evergreen and some of the 

 deciduous trees, will relieve very materially its objectionable feature. 



The stone walls that are occasionally used for an enclosure, if they 

 must be allowed to remain, can be made conspicuously attractive by 

 planting with the Ampelopsis Veitchii, or Japan Ivy, which, in a short 

 time, will cover it completely with its lively green foliage of varied 

 shades. 



Having thus treated the pleasing and displeasing features of our 

 grounds, what space remains can be utilized for the planting of such 

 varieties as will best suit our taste. The reckless method of planting 

 indiscriminately all over the lawn is to be avoided, as is also the plant- 

 ing in set rows all along the walks or drives. A few groups of shrubs 

 on the borders of the lawn, at the angles, and pei'haps on the curves, 

 or a few placed in suitable positions along the drives, with an occa- 



