1C4 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



sin<i the psalms of praise and thanksgiving in liis cluirch service 

 till he has cleared from the higliway every tree large enough to 

 give shelter or i)]easure to the weary traveler. "We are slowl}^ 

 beginning to realize that there is a wholesale destruction going 

 on, which needs to be stopped. I tiust that I may live to see 

 the time when a man who cuts down a tree of an}' description, 

 without legal authority, will be punished as a criminal. 



A few suggestions may be in place here regarding the location 

 of trees, shrubs, and vines. The latter should be used to cover 

 exposed ledges, rustic trellises, railings of bridges, arbors, and 

 especially the dwelling. In the case of non-supporting climbers, 

 or plants wliich are partialh' so, like the woodbine, I have found 

 one of the best aids in ordinary' wire staples, such as are used to 

 secure wire netting, — a size smaller than those used for wire fenc- 

 ing. These should not be set enclosing the vine, for in future 

 years they would interfere with its growth ; but should be driven in 

 beside it, the vine being fastened to them by hempen twine. There 

 is a general opinion that vines render a house damp, but such is not 

 the case ; the multitude of rootlets thej' throw out absorb much 

 moisture, and no house is so dry as the vine clad one. A beauti- 

 ful effect is sometimes produced by planting vines at the base of 

 trees, and allowing them to ascend to the branches, and there run 

 riot, and hang in wild festoons. The woodbine and trumpet 

 creeper are both very effective when growing in this way. 



Shrubs should never be placed very near a house ; especially 

 avoid planting them under the windows, which is a common cus- 

 tom. Let the grass grow to the very foundation walls. A natural 

 situation for them seems to bo about rocks, at the base of cliff's, 

 or at angles and turns in i)aths and roadways. They are effective 

 ornaments when grouped in lawns, or as screens for outbuildings, 

 bleaching grounds, etc. 



Trees should never stand close to the house, but should be at a 

 distance just sudicient to prevent their overhanging the roof ; and 

 should be of a kind that will grow higher than the topmost ridge, 

 thus securing a pleasing sky liu(! as before advised. Keeping the 

 trees at the proper distance will allow the house to stand out in 

 distinct view, showing its individuality; and will permit the sun's 

 rays to strike almost every part of it, at some period of the day. 



Trees on a lawn should never be planted so thickly as to pre- 

 vent them from assuming their proper individual characters and 



