PLANTING 235 



mass of green is obtained. Trained creepers 

 expose the supporting material beneath, and unless 

 there is good brick or stone it is better hidden. The 

 best effect is obtained from climbers when there 

 is no border of plants in front. An 18 in. border 

 under a wall is enough for creepers loosely grown, 

 and if grass comes up to it I ft. width will 

 suffice. Climbers are too often grown as a back- 

 ground to other plants, but they are worthy of 

 being given a place for their own sakes. More- 

 over the finest wall is improved in appearance by a 

 certain amount of plants on it, and more beautiful 

 walls would be built if they and the climbers were 

 not so generally regarded merely as a background 

 to other interesting features. 



If the boundary fence or wall is overhung by 

 trees, or in such shade that healthy climbers are 

 out of the question, a path can be made against it, 

 and a hedge, or trellis screen, for roses etc., be set 

 up on the other side of the path. From the garden 

 this will appear to be the boundary, and though it 

 may seem to be contracted, looking from the in- 

 side, yet there is great gain in having a good line 

 instead of a poor one. 



Screens of young trees are the quickest means of 

 making a high boundary. Strong poles are set in 

 the ground about 8 ft. tall and 12 ft. apart, and 

 connected by wires. Saplings are planted from 2 

 to 3 ft. apart, and tied to the wires. The saplings 

 may be 10 ft. hi^h to start with, as the wires will 



