new surroundings. Also a Moneywort, Lysimachia, in a 

 damper spot should spread its regularly set leaves and un- 

 fold its large, golden flowers. 



Plants with large foliage are a thing of necessity with our 

 limited landscape. They suggest nobility of character and 

 the wide space to which they are entitled impresses the 

 child with a certain admiration. The most desirable plants 

 of this class are the Rhubarb and the Artichoke, both of 

 which show very noble flowers in due season. Also some 

 Elephant's Ears (Caladium) and the classic Acanthus ; a Castor 

 Bean plant and a few Cannas, carefully selected, should also 

 be included. But let us take care lest we encourage an 

 expanse of foliage which is as meaningless as the gorgeous 

 coloring of some flowering plants. A Palm, stately and 

 distant, is no friend within our walls. No bird would 

 light on its fronds, even if they were covered with bird- 

 seed. How much less should a child be insulted with a char- 

 acter which is as foreign to it as an apple-blossom to the 

 Malayan. It is neither costliness nor rarity which decides 

 with us in our selection. No Dracaena, no Camelia is en- 

 titled to any consideration. The most humble blossom which 

 furnishes food for the bee or invites the swift humming-bird 

 to a meal is far more important in our grounds than the 

 most favored leaf from under a tropical sun. 



THE LAWN. 



The small patches of lawn which are laid out in our 

 grounds are to provide the groundwork of green so essen- 



47 



