are certain varieties which will grow in almost any locality if the conditions are 

 made right for them. Frequently, it is merely a matter of planting only the more 

 hardy evergreen or deciduous species on the sides facing the worst winds. But 

 in any case, horticultural and imported varieties of trees and shrubs should be 

 used sparingly if at all. We do not lack for variety or for beauty in the native 

 vegetation in any section of this country. 



In making a selection of shrubs, it is likewise possible to depend largely upon 

 the native vegetation. Farmers usually dislike the native shrubs, as they are 

 accustomed to grub them out of the fields and hedgerows ; but a farmer in one 

 section will pay a high price for a single bush which is strange to him, though 

 very likely a common native plant, perhaps even an annoying weed, in another 

 part of the country. Many of the shrubs used in the yards and grown by the 

 nurseries, are merely natives of other parts of this country. There are, however, 

 cultivated varieties of shrubs which, for their flowers or fruit, are quite indispen- 

 sable about any home. A judicious selection of these horticultural varieties, such 

 as the lilacs, is desirable, but it should be remembered that, for a greater part of 

 the growing season, they will bear nothing but leaves. Therefore, shrubs should 

 be selected which have good foliage, — ^thatis,foliageof no unusual tone of green, of 

 small leaves rather than large, and dense. Trees or shrubs whose leaves fall 

 very early are not desirable. Also plants with strange or peculiar foliage or of un- 

 usual habits of growth, — in short, all plant freaks, — should be avoided. In the fall 

 one expects to see foliage in brilliant colors, as this is a season of color ; but in spring 

 or summer, green leaves are needed for a background for the flowers or fruit. 

 Even if some of the shrub varieties have no showy flowers, the variation in the 

 green of their foUage will be equally pleasing. 



About the house shrubs should be used rather sparingly. Single plants at 

 some of the comers, and occasional groups look best. A house should look well 

 of itself and should not need to be covered up with planting. If it is built too high 

 out of the ground to appear well, filling about it is the only remedy, as the trouble 

 is due to defective grading, not planting. To smother the house in planting, or 

 to make it appear as though supported by bushes, is only to add error to error. 

 The vegetation, therefore, should be confined mostly to the borders, and drawn 

 out into the open lawn only where it is necesary to partially separate one part 

 of the yard from another. All areas should be generally open and unobstructed. 



The additional study and development of the yard, in order to afford more than 

 merely a barely passable setting for the house, should not add much to the amount 

 of planting used, nor should it make the yard appear cluttered, nor materially 

 affect the amount of care required. More livable yards result, for the most part, 

 when merely a little more forethought is used in planning them. 



If one endeavors to think of places that have impressed him as being 

 attractive, he may find it difficult to recall just how those places were laid out. 

 It is most likely that the impression was one of its entirety rather than of its com- 

 ponent parts, such as an elm tree, a few rose bushes, a garden seat, and a bed of 

 petunias. In other words, such a scene was a picture, not merely a collection of 

 objects. For this reason, in planning a yard, everything that is done should 

 give a positive answer to the question: Will this make the home grounds look 

 better as a whole scene? No matter what the individual taste as -to the home 

 grounds may be, one should always keep in mind their total effect while planning 



