SHRUBS 



just what cannot be done on the small city or 

 village lot. Another argument in favor of shrubs 

 is — they will be in their prime a few years after 

 planting, while a tree must have years to grow 

 in. And a shrub generally affords considerable 

 pleasure from the start, as it will bloom when 

 very small. Many of them bloom the first season. 



In locating shrubs do not make the mistake 

 of putting them between the house and the street, 

 unless for the express purpose of shutting out 

 something unsightly either of buildings or thor- 

 oughfare. A small lawn loses its dignity when 

 broken up by trees, shrubs, or flower-beds. Left 

 to itself it imparts a sense of breadth and distance 

 which will make it seem larger than it really is. 

 Plant things all over it and this effect is de- 

 stroyed. I have said this same thing in other 

 chapters of this book, and I repeat it with a 

 desire to so impress the fact upon the mind of the 

 home-maker that he cannot forget it, and make 

 the common mistake of locating his shrubbery or 

 his flower-gardens in the front yard. 



The best location for shrubs on small lots is 

 that which I have advised for hardy plants — 

 along the sides of the lot, or at the rear of it, far 

 enough away from the dwelling, if space vdll 

 permit, to serve as a background for it. Of 



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