BERLIN, MARYLAND 



67 



Flowering Shrubs 



Too often people in the country, and in small towns, think of shrubs as use- 

 less ornaments, and do not plant them about their homes. But this class of 

 home planting is beautiful in its dense leafmess, still more beautiful in its count- 

 less flowers, and the varying sizes of the plants make them suitable for plant- 

 ing in every vard or lawn. We list only a few of the most valuable varieties of 

 shrubs, and suggest that you make use of them for the following purposes: 

 If you have a bank too steep to walk on, which you do not want to cover with 

 evergreens, plant it thickly in shrubs instead of trying to keep it covered with 

 grass. The shrubs will make just as green a cover, wil! hold the soil as well, 

 and, if you select the right varieties, will remain fresh and green through the 

 dry, late summer months when grass turns brown. This substituting of shrubs 

 for grass is a very good idea to use whenever you have trouble preserving the 

 sward. Oftentimes people will not walk in paths. They cut across corners and 

 wear out the grass. If you had a line of shrubs as a barrier, they would not walk 

 on the grass. The shrubs will thrive under harsher conditions than will the 

 grass. 



Tall shrubs make good screens, and low ones are fine for planting under shade 

 trees and evergreens, or around the foundation wall of your house. When you 

 plant single shrubs, do not get them in the middle of the lawn or the yard. Some 

 shrubs make ordinary bushes, but bear splendid flowers; other kinds make beau- 

 tiful bushes and bear insignificant flowers. In the case of most flowering shrubs 

 that are not especially well formed, cut the tops back sharply after setting. 

 This may prevent the shrub blooming the first season, but you will be amply 

 rewarded by having a fine, compact, symmetrical plant ready for blooming 

 another season. 



PARCEL POST. See page 79 for prices. 



