THE COUNTRY HOME [CHAPTER 
able. They anticipate spring for at least a month 
before the hyacinths lift the soil — sometimes they 
are here all winter. I do not know a handsomer 
and better behaved bird than this pine grosbeak. 
If he drop a berry on the snow he gets down and 
picks it up — a touch of economy which the robin 
despises. The cedar bird would be more wel- 
come if he never extended his stay until cherry 
time. You can, however, afford to plant an extra 
tree or two especially for this cheerful visitor. You 
will hardly get too many barberries. Standing al- 
most anywhere about your lawns or near your barn, 
they give us a touch of brightness that no other bush 
equals. The high-bush cranberry has a tendency 
to top-heaviness and splitting down. Your best 
way will be to surround the limbs with a heavy wire 
—placing a piece of old rubber between wire and 
limb. 
In the arrangement of shrubs, as of trees, be- 
ware of the conventional. The Indians always 
planted their apple orchards in groves, instead of 
in rows. From the standpoint of beauty they were 
correct. Rows are made essentially only to allow 
the plow to cultivate the soil. A few hints in plant- 
ting may be worth the while, but in general simply 
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