THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



able. They anticipate spring for at least a month 

 before the hyacinths lift the soil — sometimes they 

 are here all winter. I do not know a handsomer 

 and better behaved bird than this pine grosbeak. 

 If he drop a berry on the snow he gets down and 

 picks it up — a touch of economy which the robin 

 despises. The cedar bird would be more wel- 

 come if he never extended his stay until cherry 

 time. You can, however, afford to plant an extra 

 tree or two especially for this cheerful visitor. You 

 will hardly get too many barberries. Standing al- 

 most anywhere about your lawns or near your barn, 

 they give us a touch of brightness that no other bush 

 equals. The high-bush cranberry has a tendency 

 to top-heaviness and splitting down. Your best 

 way will be to surround the limbs with a heavy wire 

 — placing a piece of old rubber between wire and 

 limb. 



In the arrangement of shrubs, as of trees, be- 

 ware of the conventional. The Indians always 

 planted their apple orchards in groves, instead of 

 in rows. From the standpoint of beauty they were 

 correct. Rows are made essentially only to allow 

 the plow to cultivate the soil. A few hints in plant- 

 ting may be worth the while, but in general simply 



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