GARDENS NEAR THE SEA 



In the early days of this country, when improve- 

 ments in heating facilities had not yet been begun, 

 wind-breaks were planted near dwellings purely for 

 warmth and protection. They should still be used 

 for this purpose near the sea to-day, especially since 

 it is known that they also have aesthetic value. To 

 form a wind-break for the protection of a house or 

 a garden requires much less ground space than is 

 generally supposed. 



The positions that evergreens are to hold should 

 be decided, if possible, with more care than is given 

 to deciduous trees. In a few years after their establish- 

 ment, many of them grow very tall. Through inju- 

 dicious setting, I have seen them completely mar a 

 distant view; while the same trees differently placed 

 would have made an appeal like long-tried constant 

 companions. 



The late summer or early autumn is the best 

 time to plant evergreens. The ground then is warm, 

 and although the spring growth of the trees is over, 

 the circulation of the sap and the activity of the roots 

 are in admirable condition to sustain them. Naturally, 

 after planting, they should be kept abundantly moist. 



The spruces are among the most useful as well 

 as the most ornamental of evergreens. They can be 

 grown as low hedges (page 80) or as high wind-breaks, 

 and as individual specimens they develop symmetri- 

 cally, showing much beauty. 



The native white spruce, Picea alba, is one of the 

 most attractive evergreens, although neither so well 

 known nor so generally planted as the Norway spruce. 



[36] 



