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Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



In most instances where playgrounds have been estahlislied in California, 

 and these instances are many, the grounds and ajjparatus are situated in the 

 glaring sunlight with never a tree nor a leaf to freshen the view and break 

 the monotony. It would be decidedly practical and very desirable to locate 

 these playgrounds among trees and surround them i)y plantings of shrubbery 

 and flowers; making of them not only a group of mechanical devices for the 

 physical growth of the child, but also a garden for aid in its mental growth. 

 The twofold utility of play and beauty might be furnished the child, as the 

 plantings would afford secluded place for play and would have a pleasing 

 influence both upon th-e children within and the passersby without. 



A city scjuare may be handled in either of two ways, as regards its plant- 

 ing plan. It may be treated in a decidedly formal manner, or it may be 

 planted as simply and naturally as po.ssible. Such a public square is the 

 inevitable spot for the location of statues and fountains, and quite properly 

 so, but it may also be planted with masses of shru])bery and trees arranged 

 in rather an informal style. Wherever possible, the more natural methods of 

 grouping and planting are to be preferred to the strictly formal style. 



On the other hand, the public square may be laid out with a view to the 

 pleasure which it will give to those passing by, without; or it may be arranged 

 with the idea of affording pleasure to him who may pa.ss through on his way 

 to or from work, or who may tarry for a moment of relaxation. A combination 

 of the two above schemes is undoubtedly that which should l)e most sought for 

 in planning the park. 



When designed as a park to be viewed from without, the planting is 

 massed and executed with the sole idea of producing a pleasing picture when 

 seen as a whole, with little attention given to the impression of pleasure or 

 comfort from within the square. On the other hand, when the block is to be 

 given over to public use, the methods of procedure, with reference to planting, 

 are much modified. The designer then attempts to combine utility as a park, 

 with attractiveness as a picture. Trees are planted in groups, to form dense 

 shade under which scats and benches may be placed, or they are planted in 

 rows along the walks and paths, for a similar reason. Shrubs and low grow- 

 ing plants are used to soften outlines, to blend and harmonize larger group 

 plantings, and to create a more easy and natural effect in arrangement. 



The paths and walks should be given ea.sy and graceful curves but should 

 form quite direct means of crossing the square. Aimles.s, winding walks lose 

 their charm because of the attending bewilderment to one traversing them, 

 and are a source of disgust to him who wishes to cross the grounds on his 

 way to or from work. 



Simplicity in landscaping should always be observed. It is doubtless 

 iiuneedful to speak of the beauty of lawns and of the added attraction that 

 w'ell kept stretches of lawn always afford. Equally needless should it be to 

 discourage the use of the already fast disappearing flower bed as an ornament 

 in the center of a lawn, where it is highly out of place and detracts rather 

 than adds to the pleasurable effect. 



