THE USE OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS 301 



same time, there are circumstances that call for the contrary 

 treatment. For example, the trees planted in parkings as 

 borders to streets or avenues should be arranged in rows 

 parallel to the walks or drives to which they are adjacent. 

 The general rule is this: When the artificial feature, such as 

 the walk, or avenue, is the dominant note of the landscape, 

 the plantings must conform to it. It is to be remembered, 

 however, that the skilful gardener makes the walk or drive 

 subordinate wherever possible, and arranges his plant material 

 accordingly in a natural way. 



PLANT MATERIALS 



One of the first questions that will arise will be: What 

 should be planted here? And this immediately calls up the 

 entire problem of plant material. There are at present many 

 thousands of plants under cultivation. It would, of course, 

 be difficult for any one person to know all or even most of 

 them ; and also the greater number are adapted to particular 

 localities or situations only. For all practical purposes it 

 suffices, therefore, if the plants that have proven most useful 

 in the student's own locality be studied and their names and 

 characteristics learned. 



In studying these plants, one should not think that a book 

 is absolutely necessary. Some such work as Bailey's Standard 

 Cyclopedia of Horticulture is of course useful ; but the student 

 should learn also to study the plant itself, noting the general 

 characteristics: height, color of foliage and flower, habit of 

 growth. He should study the leaves, flowers, branches, all 

 parts of the plant, and should become so familiar with it that 

 he can name it wherever seen. Then he should think of it in 

 connection with the landscape what plant it harmonizes 

 with, what situation it is best adapted to. The process is 

 slow and laborious, but very much worth while. 



It may be in order here to mention briefly a few desirable 



