12 THE GARDEN BEAUTIFUL 



PRESERVE OPEN LAWN CENTERS 



A front yard cluttered up with trees and shrubs is 

 never attractive. The simpler picture is the stronger 

 one. The lawn should be left as large and as unob- 

 structed as possible. Many planters, having at their 

 disposal but a small front lawn, usually (and unfor- 

 tunately) bisected by a cement walk to the front 

 door, feel it incumbent upon them to completely fill 

 the two limited areas by planting some large-grow- 

 ing palms, or other trees, usually two Phoenix Cana- 

 riensis. Having thus planted it is quite impossible 

 to stand in the center of your landscape and see 

 about you, as you should be able to do, a fine variety 

 of plant life. 



Those who have lived in the Mississippi Valley or 

 in states farther east will doubtless recall seeing lit- 

 tle openings or natural clearings in the woods, con- 

 sisting of one or many acres. Though in the midst 

 of the forest, the floor or greensward remains invio- 

 late, not a tree or shrub upon it. Grass and herba- 

 ceous flowering plants form the cover or carpet; 

 bushes and larger shrubs edge it about; next small 

 trees; and then the forest giants frame the whole, 

 making a perfect amphitheater; a miniature land- 

 scape, perhaps, yet complete in every detail. Then 

 may the joyous discoverer stand in the center and see 

 all about him the varied wonders of the local native 

 vegetation. Many a time and oft, in boyhood's 

 happy days, has the author been overjoyed with the 

 finding of such beauty spots and stood spellbound 

 and awed by the overwhelming attractiveness of the 

 scene. Would that puny man could build gardens of 

 equal charm ! 



Allow your lawn centers to remain open and clear 

 that the whole yard may appear as large as possible ; 



