THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



ten-acre homestead may easily have devoted an 

 acre, or even two acres, to selected trees, either at 

 the front of the house or flanking the front. An 

 English homestead is generally open toward the 

 street, while the drives approach through border- 

 ing shrubbery, or under trees. Our American 

 landscape, with more slopes and hills, gives us 

 greater opportunities for broader views over val- 

 leys, so that a street front is not so essential. If 

 you have but two or three acres, or if you are a 

 truck farmer, needing economy in the use of land, 

 still plant a half-dozen fine trees before your cot- 

 tage — a beech grove, perhaps, or a group of lin- 

 dens, or a grove of maples. An orchard neatly 

 kept is just the thing; only, I am afraid, it will 

 sadly fail of proper care. The awful neglect and 

 the abuse that apple trees undergo make it dan- 

 gerous to recommend them for a front lawn. 



The laying out of a tree lawn must not be al- 

 lowed to depend altogether on your taste, for it is 

 this laying out of your home that is going to create 

 a better taste. Especially do not mistake a mere 

 greedy desire for trees as a safe guide. There are 

 really no sights in America more unpleasant than 

 the front lawns of our average country homes. 



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