PLANTING 



side, or the rear, and leave a clear, open sweep 

 of lawn in front of the dwelling. Enough un- 

 broken space should be left there to give the sense 

 of breadth which will act as a division between 

 the pubUc and the private. Scatter shrubs and 

 flower-beds over the lami and you destroy that 

 impression of distance which is given by even a 

 small law^n when there is nothing on it to interfere 

 with the vision, as we look across it. 



Relegate shrubs to the sides of the lot, if you 

 can conveniently do so, being careful to give the 

 larger ones locations at the point farthest from 

 the street, graduating them toward the front of 

 the lot according to their habit of growth. Aim 

 to secure a background by keeping the big fel- 

 lows where they cannot interfere with the out- 

 look of the little ones. 



If paths are to be made, think well before de- 

 ciding w^here they shall be. Some persons prefer 

 a straight path from the street to the house. This 

 saves steps, but it gives the place a prim and 

 formal look that is never pleasing. It divides 

 the yard into two sections of equal importance, 

 where it is advisable to have but one if we would 

 make the most of things. In other words, it 

 halves things, thus weakening the general effect 

 greatly. A straight path is never a graceful one. 



36 



