86 JUNE EFFECTS ON THE LAWN. 



and characteristic beauties of the la\\-n in June, I am 

 impressed with the insufficient justice done their loveliness, 

 but I am also consoled at my evident failure by the con- 

 sciousness that no ordinary pen will suffice to convey an 

 adequate idea of their subtle charm. 



For instance, of the fresh, early summer growths of many 

 trees we can say little more than they are dark green ; but 

 how poorly such terms express their delicate gradations of 

 color, soft, glistening, and wonderful. Look at that weep- 

 ing beech ! What words can describe the soft, tender, 

 gleaming color of its young foliage. And so it is with a 

 hundred other trees, the charms of which at this season 

 meet us at every turn on many lawns. 



With the knowledge of such lawn-planting riches easily 

 attainable by almost every one, is it strange that some 

 counti'ies deem no time and labor too great to secure that 

 utmost vigor of earlj- growth which can alone produce the 

 highest perfection of June flowers and foliage ? Is it not 

 more strange that we in America, with our favorable soil 

 and climate and enterprise and regard for all lovely things, 

 do not seek more to employ the lawn-planting beauties at 

 our command ? Perhaps we have been hitherto occupied 

 too much with the engrossing duties of a young nation 

 to look to the j)ei'manent adornment of home. 



Our increased intercourse with Europe however has been 

 teaching us much of late, and we are learning not only that 

 we should do more artistic lawn planting, but that we 

 cannot conform ourselves servilely to European horticul- 

 tural standards. After much failure in trying to get some- 

 thing else, we are attaining to the conviction that we must 



