The Canadian Horticulturist. 



23 



THE HOUSE YARD. 



T this .season very little outside work can be clone, 

 but it will be in order to draw out plans on 

 paper for the improvements of the grounds about 

 the home. So many of our country house-yards 

 are arranged without any plan whatever ; the 

 paths and drives are just where the first car- 

 riages crossed the lawn. There are no edges 

 either, and, consequently, the walks are not 

 defined by any distinct mark. The borders 

 alona; the boundaries are not wooded, while 

 ^ perhaps a few trees and shrubs are planted 

 across the lawn itself, the whole having a bleak, unattrac- 

 tive appearance. 



The first requisite in planting the house-yard is to 

 thicken up the borders closely with trees and shrubs, so 

 that all fences, barns and other objectionable objects are entirely hidden, leaving 

 openings to show distant prospects of interest. Another consideration in planting 

 the borders is to hide the house from the view of the public, except in its most 

 attractive aspects, and, further, to screen from passers-by those portions of the 

 lawn especially intended for lawn tennis or other games. 



Fig. 496. Entrance to \ Suburban Homestead 



A beautiful entrance from the road may be made by planting groups of 

 ornamentals about the front gate, such as is shown in Fig. 496, from which the 

 carriage road leads by a gentle curve towards the house. Generally speaking, 

 the entrance is placed too nearly in front of the house The approach will be 



