AND CITY BEAUTIFUL 69 



should be used at the back; low ones in front; flexible ones 

 each side of the basement windows through which coal or 

 wood must pass. Group flowering shrubs that harmonize. 

 Consider both the bloom and foliage of any plant in set- 

 ting it. Never use plants with bright red or large, showy 

 flowers in front of the house, but rather to one side and 

 well back, bringing those of more delicate colors to the 

 front. This shows up all to a better advantage, and 

 brings out the home as the central-feature. Climbing vines 

 may be planted to advantage on porches and fences. 

 Often two or three kinds are preferable to a single variety, 

 but do not mix too many kinds. Plants that die to the 

 ground each fall and annual flowering plants add to the 

 shrubbery border, especially when planted in front of the 

 shrubbery. 



CONDITION. 



The attractiveness of any home depends much upon 

 the condition in which it is kept. Shrubs and plants 

 should always be in well tilled borders, never in pot holes 

 in the sod. The edges should be well trimmed and the 

 lawn well weeded and often mown. The appearance of 

 many otherwise well-kept places is spoiled by the weedy 

 condition of the gutters. Everyone who does anything 

 makes mistakes, but when a shrub is found to be out of 

 place change it the following autumn or spring. The 

 plan should be a constant study until it is complete. The 

 lawn is the outdoor parlor. Artistic taste, there developed, 

 is soon shown inside the home. Gardening is contageous. 

 The example of the well-kept home influences the neigh- 

 borhood. The work of one man beautifying his home 

 will often inspire persons living near to improve their 

 surroundings, and they in turn inspire others until the 

 whole community takes on a neater appearance, and the 

 first move is made toward making a beautiful town or 

 city and a much healthier one. 



