16 THE CULTIVATED EVERGREENS 



bronzy purple are possible in many of the conifers, particularly 

 in the smaller species. Pine and hemlock have mostly refused 

 to depart from their normal foliage. In general, the farther the 

 color of a conifer has ranged from a normal dark green, the less 

 it should be planted in home pictures and the more care must 

 be used in its disposition, when it is permitted, for it is always 

 a special and striking object at all seasons. 



By their density of twig and foliage throughout the year, 

 evergreens offer ideal protection from wind and storm, as 

 windbreak, shelter, and screen. A very effective shelter-belt 

 can be made by a narrow strip of evergreens. Since conifers 

 are a very heavy mass when grouped, this windbreak must also 

 be a part of the landscape picture, and when used for a screen 

 they will call attention in the direction toward which the view 

 is to be shut off. Their double service of attracting as well as 

 protecting must ever be borne in mind. The dividing planting 

 must then be ornamental also. The best hedges are of evergreen 

 conifers. 



Evergreens of all kinds give a feeling of richness to the 

 cultivated landscape, possibly in part because they are expen- 

 sive and at times difficult to cultivate to perfection. As foliage 

 plants they have come to be considered as the most beautiful 

 and choice of woody plants. They may be sadly out of place, 

 as seen in some small yard, or badly broken by insects and the 

 elements because of lack of care, yet there is a special halo of 

 inherent virtue around each one of them. The same is true in 

 regard to a natural planting of conifers. Whatever the arrange- 

 ment given them by nature, as a group they are pleasing and 

 add tremendously to the beauty of that particular spot. 



As Nature puts out her spruces, firs, pines, and cedars, her 

 pictures are always pleasing, and analysis of their arrangement 

 shows how great advantage was taken of every change in soil 



