THB GRBBNING L A N D S 



STREET-CURB GARDENING 



This is an entirely new idea. The above view adjoins the 

 writer's own garden in the city of Monroe, and since it was 

 planted I have noticed many people pass daily who formerly 

 used other streets on their way to and from the shopping district. 

 To them it is like going through a little park. The improve- 

 ment was made in a very inexpensive way by planting Spiraea 

 Van Houttei six feet apart and trimming them in globular form. 

 Evergreens would accomplish the same purpose, but on account 

 of the running at large of certain domestic animals, their use 

 on the street cannot be recommended. Nor are they entirely 

 safe in a yard that is open to the street, many beautiful specimens 

 having been destroyed by what a doctor would call aqua caninus, 

 the same being translated in our vernacular as "dogonit" or words 

 to that effect. 



In this case, as I said before. Spiraea Van Houttei were used, 

 but the planting was along the rear half of the yard only, and, 

 like most benefits, it is a double benefit; for whilst pedestrians 

 enjoy the park-like scenery, the size of my yard has been greatly 

 increased both in appearance and effect. 



EVERGREENS AT THE REAR ENTRANCE OF A 

 MANSION 



There is a large lawn back of the house, at the extreme 

 end of which there is a pavilion-like arbor, and from this arbor 

 as well as from most points of the lawn the house looked very 

 formal and set. The expedient was used of planting evergreens 

 near the foundation and the effect is very charming. The small 

 globular kinds, like Thuya Hoveyii and Globosa, are near the 

 edge, and taller ones, like the Spruces, Pines and Firs, are near 

 the house. 



Several Kosteriana Blue Spruce were planted in the back- 

 ground. Their peculiar steel-blue metallic sheen, contrasting with 

 the various tints of green and yellow, makes a most charming 

 picture. Yellow exercises a peculiar illusion on the sense of sight, 

 its effect being to foreshorten distance; whilst the dark shades of 

 other evergreens make them appear further than they really are. 

 It is, in fact, a stereoscopic effect produced purely by chromatic 

 laws, and I have often been amused at the wonderment of some 

 people who perceived the effect without being able to discern the 

 cause. 



Lonicera Halliana, or Hall's Japan Honeysuckle, were planted 

 near the porches and grown over them. The foliage of this vine 

 remains green so long — until the holidays — that it makes a fine 

 combination with the evergreens. Back of this scene and through 

 it is a system of narrow walks leading to the various buildings 

 and to the flower garden on the south side of the residence. The 

 front lawn was planted informally, the center being kept open 

 with the exception of a few trees to soften the high lights, and the 

 borders were planted heavily with trees and shrubs to separate 

 the yard proper from the farm of which it forms a part. 



79 



Plate 89. Stree«-l iirh (iaiiU-iiiii^i 



Plate 90. Kvergreeus at the Ueax* Gutrauce of a Alausiou 



