46 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Bulbs are followed perhaps by pansies or English daisies, and these 

 by aquilegias, hollyhocks, larkspurs, boltonias, asters, hardy 

 chrysanthemums, and the like. Such gardens as these demand 

 constant attention. As one species passes out of bloom the dying 

 plants must be removed and space allowed for the succeeding 

 species. 



The trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials which should sur- 

 round the homes of the average class of Americans are of especial 

 interest to the majority of people. These should be selected Avith 

 the greatest care, and they should represent the finest taste possible. 

 The number need not necessarily be large. The species should 

 not be too varied, or the effect will be too striking and not in good 

 taste. 



One must take into consideration the species best suited for spring, 

 summer, fall, and winter effects. Too frequently the winter effects 

 are not carefully considered and much of the charm of planting is 

 lost. The varied green of the coniferous trees, and especially the 

 delicate effect produced when the evergreens of more delicate foliage, 

 like the hemlocks and Chamaec^'paris, are covered with snow, is very 

 pleasing. The variation in color in winter of the bark of many of 

 the deciduous trees and shrubs should also be carefully studied in 

 selecting the planting list. Few, if any of the shrubs, equal the 

 different varieties of Cornus and Salix for these winter effects. The 

 flowers of spring and summer, the fruits of summer, fall and winter, 

 and the colors of bark and twigs in winter should keep our homes 

 bright and attractive throughout the year. 



Perhaps the home is rented and the owner does no<r care to pay 

 out much for improvements of this nature. It is interesting to 

 note the attractiveness one may add to a home of this kind with 

 small expense. Vines of rapid, annual growth, like the cobseas or 

 morning glories, may be cheaply grown, and these will quickly 

 cover unsightly objects, or serve as a screen for the piazza or 

 veranda. The castor bean plants will give sub-tropical effects with 

 comparatively little expense, and geraniums, petunias, verbenas, or 

 cannas may serve to brighten and make cheery the home grounds. 



The improvement of school grounds, especially in the rural 

 districts, is a topic which should be more generally considered by 

 the governing board. Many of our country schoolhouses are far 



