THE ARNOLD ARBORETUM 



the pergola, ugly, out of proportion, leading no- 

 where, with absolutely no reason for existence. 

 We should preach, says Professor Sargent, the 

 importance of trees and shrubs with showy flowers 

 as a background for every flower-garden. Such 

 plants are too much neglected by persons in this 

 country who are making flower-gardens and who 

 forget that a garden depends as much on its sur- 

 roundings and background as it does on its im- 

 mediate contents. Most persons seem to think 

 that if they have two or three beds of larkspur 

 and phlox, and a brick walk, a fountain, a pergola 

 with climbing roses, a garden seat — the whole 

 in a bare field without any special reference to or 

 connection with the house or anything else — they 

 have made a garden. 



How soon shall we realize that for the tree and 

 shrub material for such enclosings as every garden 

 should have, we may see at the arboretum the 

 very subjects needed for these purposes with 

 manifold suggestions as to grouping and placing 

 for best landscape effects ? We go now in countless 

 numbers to the great national parks of the West. 

 This is well. This trains the eye to beauty, the 

 heart to love of country. We go thither at great 

 expense, great expenditure of time and of conve- 



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