104 BEAUTY OF SHRUBBERIES. 



suburban lots built on are bare of trees, and therefore, after the 

 attainment of a fine lawn, the lowly beauties of shrubs and flowers, 

 with all their varied luxuriance of foliage and fragrant bloom, must 

 be the main features of the place, while the trees are also growing 

 in their midst which may eventually over-top and supersede them. 

 If one could imagine Americans to live their married lives, each 

 pair in one home, what a pleasing variety might the changing years 

 bring them. An unbroken lawn around the dwelling should typify 

 the unwritten page in the opening book of earnest life. Young 

 trees planted here and there upon it would suggest looking forward 

 to the time when, under their grand shadows, the declining years of 

 the twain may be spent in dignity and repose. Flowers and shrubs 

 meanwhile repay with grateful beauty all their care, until, over- 

 shadowed by the nobler growth, they are removed as cumberers of 

 the ground, and give way to the simplicity that becomes " a fine 

 old home." 



Most small places can be much rriore charmingly planted with 

 shrubs alone, than with trees and shrubs mingled. Indeed, it is 

 one of the greatest blunders of ' inexperienced planters to put in 

 trees where there is only room enough for shrubs. A small yard 

 may be made quite attractive by the artistic management of shrubs 

 and flowers whose size is adapted to the contracted ground ; but 

 the same place would be so filled up by the planting of a cherry 

 tree or a horse-chestnut, that no such effect could be produced. 



Where the decorative portion of the grounds do not exceed a 

 half acre, there can be little question of the superior beauty of 

 shrubberies to the very small collection of trees that such narrow 

 limits can accommodate. The greatly increased beauty of shrubs 

 when seen upon a lawn without any shadowing of trees, nor 

 crowded one side or another " to fill-up," can only be appreciated 

 by those who have seen the elegance of a tastefully arranged place 

 planted with shrubs alone. 



The part which annuals and low growing flowers should have 

 in home surroundings may be compared with the lace, linen, and 

 ribbon decorations of a lady's dress — being essential ornaments, 

 and yet to be introduced sparingly. Walks may be bordered, and 

 groups pointed, and bays in the shrubbery brightened by them ; 



