SOUTHERN HOME GROUNDS 
points; a walk that curves without visible reason is a mere wiggle and worse 
than straight lines." That is. should we desire a curved walk, it is best to 
supply some reason for the walk to curve, such as planting groups of shrubbery 
in the bends. A long, curved walk with appropriate plantings gives us a con- 
tinual change of view and holds our interest. 
Let us consider the two drawings of the same home grounds which are shown 
on page 3. Figure A shows a curved walk with a rea-son, well set out by 
shrubbery and evergreens. The straight walk in B is perfectly proper but very 
stiff and formal, and lacks the naturalistic effect .seen in A. The trees and 
shrubs in the former are laid otif in straight rows, covering the entire lot, leaving 
no open breathing places. The grounds, although as large as in A, appear much 
smaller and crowded. 
In A the rule of mass planting and leaving the center open has been fol- 
lowed, allowing ample room for a fine greensward and views to all portions of 
the grounds. The mass or naturalistic planting is that of placing together 
several varieties that mass well. Individual specimens are used here and there 
to give variety bv bright foliage or some other well-defined quality. 
Prof. L. H. Bailey in his "Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture" says: 
"Keep the lawn centers open. Plant in masses. Avoid straight lines." This is 
very good advice for any planter, and, if these rules are followed, a more hand- 
some appearance on the home grounds will be the result. 
Do not set out a tree or plant just because your neighbor did. Wliat may 
look well on his place might not blend with your grounds at all. Make every- 
Uiing have a purpose, and, above all. do not crowd. .\ congested planting is 
merely a jumble instead of a picture. Evergreens, deciduous trees, shrubs, 
roses, etc.. all have their proper place on the grounds, and the following pages 
will tell you about them. 
Ornamental plantings are much desired at the house foundation. At a trifling co«t, the 
owner of this house increased its beauty a hundredfold 
