134 TASTE AND TACT IN ARRANGIA 



plat than elsewhere. The object of this was twofold— 

 to add to its effectiveness as a windbreak, and to intro- 

 duce the quality of irregularity in its appearance. In 

 the form suggested it would be mnch more pleasing to 

 the eye than if kept of a uniform width throughout. A 

 seeming relation between it and the other growths in 

 the west part of the grounds is also promoted by its jut- 

 ting irregularly out into the lawn at several points. 

 Where this plat extends to the left between the curved 

 drive and the barn-yard, the introduction of a group of 

 trees is suggested. These might be any ordinary kinds 

 of shade or forest trees, such as in time grow to a large 

 size. To the rear of this group, in the barn-yard, might 

 be planted a clump of about three trees, as shown, to 

 serve for shade and in maintaining a balance in the 

 planting, as well to figure in a measure as a back 

 ground. In case live stock are permitted to run in this 

 yard, the trees should be inclosed by a wire or other 

 fence, and so should the screen along the west end. 



Of the other features in the new plan, the large cen- 

 tral plat, 7, must be looked upon as the chief, on account 

 of its breadth and dignity. The terrace and low slope 

 we would advise the owner to get rid of by grading 

 down. In that case, if the surface over the entire plat 

 were so shaped as to keep the center somewhat curving, 

 the effect would be for the better. It is rarely indeed 

 that a terrace and slope can be used to improve appear- 

 ances across the center of a lawn, as this is located. 

 The embellishments suggested, besides the three trees 

 now present, are three bold masses of shrubs along the 

 west and south bend, a smaller one towards the house, 

 and some trees, including several evergreens, near the 

 street line. Although it would be several years before 

 the screen along the west side could prove much of a 

 barrier against the wind, there could be no objection to 

 setting out these masses of shrubs at once, for growths 

 of this class are not easily injured by winds. By this 

 means our correspondent's love for flowers could be 

 gratified in an increased measure, for the selection might 

 embrace such a variety as would afford a continuous 

 succession of bloom throughout the entire season. In 

 such a list we would suggest Daphne mezereum, golden 

 bell or forsythia, Japan quince, flowering plum, flower- 

 ing almond, flowering currant, bush honeysuckle, lilac, 

 plum-leaved and Thunberg's spiraeas, calycanthus, mock- 

 oranges, deutzia, roses, viburnum, weigelia, Rhus cotinus 

 or smoke-tree, althaea, corchorus, Ledebour's honey- 

 suckle, panicled hydrangea, SpiriTa callosa and Billardi. 

 The shrubs should be set out from three to four feet 



G HOME AND OTHER GROUNDS. 



apart on an average. Provision might Le made for set- 

 ting some hardy perennial flowering plants alternately 

 with the shrubs next to the grass-line. Let it be under- 

 stood that in all cases where shrubs, trees and plants 

 are set in masses, whether isolated as in the present 

 shrub clumps, or continuous as in the screen, the soil 

 should be kept carefully tilled for at least half a dozen 

 years after they have been planted. 



Attention is invited to the improvement shown by Fig. 

 2, over the condition of affairs at Fig. i, respecting 

 the parts immediately about the house. Take the plat 

 between the house and street ; how handsome and re- 

 poseful it can be rendered by following the new plan, as 

 compared with its marred appearance when cut up by 

 the numerous straight lines and angles of the walks and 

 the square-cornered flower bed to the extreme left, after 

 the old plan. By keeping the center of this plat open 

 and in the form of a well-attended lawn, the scene as 

 beheld not only from the veranda, but also from the 

 street, would be immeasurably more satisfactory than 

 in the old plan. 



To the rear of the house, also, by getting rid of the 

 needless straight walk, there is a chance for working in 

 an effective bit of gardening. Here, too, it is advisable 

 to keep the center of the area open and in grass, with 

 some rather bold masses of hardy shrubs and flowers 

 towards the extremities. If the border around the south- 

 west corner of the house were planted with handsome 

 shrubs such as weigelias, forsythias and lilacs, it would 

 have special value in relieving the regular proportions 

 of the house. The margin of this bed, which is on the 

 sunny side of the house and veranda, would be a delight- 

 ful place for setting some of the early-flowering crocuses, 

 hyacinths and tulips. The present flower bed against 

 the house to the east we would like to see relieved of its 

 angularity, by rounding the corners and varying the 

 width somewhat, as shown by the new plan. 



Thus have we undertaken to point out certain marked 

 improvements that could be made in our subscriber's 

 grounds. The work would involve many radical changes; 

 but we are satisfied that were it undertaken, even though 

 all should not be carried out at once, in time so much 

 garden and landscape beauty would be developed that 

 the outlay and trouble would be quite lost sight of. It 

 is usually the case that for every dollar invested in 

 judicious improvements of this nature, there is a five 

 dollar or more return in satisfaction to the owner, and 

 in the actual enhancement of the value of the property 

 on which the improvements are made. 



