i io HOW TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY 



eral rule should be to allow the larger growing sorts 

 to occupy the prominent places, and then associate 

 the smaller growing with those already planted, al- 

 ways avoiding crowding. 



The present fashion likes to affiliate great numbers 

 of spireas, deutzias, and similar floriferous shrubs in 

 close masses. During the blossoming season this pro- 

 vides a large show, and when the leaves are colored 

 crimson in the autumn the display is attractive. 



For my part I love the shrub itself. I like to 

 see what the bush itself stands for, and in all cases 

 you will find that Nature means something very par- 

 ticular and special by her forms of growth. Jam- 

 ming plants together and intertwining their limbs 

 gives you no chance for comprehending the indi- 

 vidual plant and the peculiarity of foliage, or of 

 growth. The fashion also is fit only for public dis- 

 plays, and you will find that shrubberies planted after 

 this manner are generally thrust out before all the 

 people to look at. 



What we are planning is rather a cozy and sweet- 

 smelling retreat, where we can go with Nature alone, 

 or at most witK a very choice friend. There should 

 be seats in this shrubbery of ours, but not conspicuous. 

 They should be brown or green, Nature's colors, and 

 they should be half hidden under the bushes. 



Your collection should be made largely from your 

 own native woods, for you will find in every section 

 of the country quite a number of sorts of shrubs, of 

 real beauty and quality, but rarely transferred to 



