The Planting of Home Grounds 
By Richard Vincent, Maryland. 
THIS article is not intended to cover large estates 
where the grounds are extensive, the correct way 
would be then to employ a thorough, competent 
landscape gardener. Therefore, my article today takes 
in the places and situations that practically can be made 
good by the owner, or ordinary gardener. The list of 
trees, shrubs, plants, etc., that are here offered are those 
that, in my judgment, are best adapted to the majority of 
locations. 
Too many places have their beauty spoileil by too much 
tree planting ; that is, in a great many cases, too many 
trees are planted on a limited space. This not only fre- 
quently occurs around the humble cottage, but also on 
many places of large dimensions as well. This, some- 
times, is solely the owner's fault, and oftentimes the man 
supplying the trees, who wants to dispose of as many 
trees as possible, and so induces the party for whom he 
is planting, in order to make a display at once, to plant 
many trees. This is all very well if they are planted so 
as to be removed or cut out in a few years, and 
they should be so placed that this can be accomplished, 
but often it is not. The consequences are that after a 
time one tree overgrows and disfigures another. Too 
many mistakes are also made in not studying the size 
to which the tree will grow, and in planting too close to 
buildings, a road or pathway, thereby making them a 
ntiisance by crowding roadway or path. Limbs have to 
be lopped olT to make room for passage, disfiguring the 
trees or bushes and making a bad appearance generally. 
Another point where a number of mistakes are made is 
in planting too many of the same variety, as is freqtiently 
done on small places, while we study that the varieties of 
trees and shrubs are innumerable and can be gotten in 
endless variety, and variety is what gives charm and 
beauty to any place, whether large or small. 
There are some situations where certain kinds of trees 
or shrubs planted en masse is correct and gives a goodly 
appearance. This is not what I have reference to, but to 
small places where you will see possibly four or five weep- 
ing trees, positively all of one variety, or the same in 
hardy Hydrangeas or shrtibbery of a like character — 
too much sameness to be beautiful. If those planting 
home grounds would spend a little time inspecting other 
places that are well planted, and then consult some good 
gardener the result would be more artistic, and even 
though expense were added, they would be well repaid in 
after vears. Do not consult the man who calls himself 
a "landscape gardener" sim])ly because he has a few trees 
and shrubs to sell, as he is more than likely to recommend 
what he has in stock, than varieties you would have to 
procure elsewhere. 
I have heard several lectures by parties advocating the 
procuring of trees, etc., from the woods or forest for 
their own home-ground planting. This might do, and 
has been done in some cases, but it has not generally been 
successful, as a tree or bush grown in some shade or par- 
tial shade, more or less, then transplanted otit into the 
bright sunshine is apt to harden the bark, and then takes 
a long time to start growing ; whereas, the nursery grown 
tree has been grown out in the elements, and if it is of 
any size it has been transplanted several times ; is better 
rooted and is in a condition to grow right along, and if 
properly planted it will soon outstrip the forest tree. I 
once heard a speaker, who claims to be an educated 
gardener, tell his audience that they should go out in the 
woods near by and dig up some of the large holly, cedar 
95 
and [line trees and [ilant around some of their buildings 
that needed hiding. Of course, he was telling the people 
something he, himself, had never tried out, for if he had, 
he would have known better than to recommend any such 
policy, as anyone who has tried to transplant large wild 
evergreens knows to his sorrow. Small ones can be, 
and are transplanted, and occasionally a large one, but a 
great deal of care is required. 
The various Garden Club members are doing a greater 
work than they have any idea of in not only beautifying 
their own grounds, but by educating their neighbors 
along the same lines. Good work is also being done in 
a great many cities and suburbs in teaching the people 
to improve their surroundings by having flowers either 
in window or porch boxes, or in making their back yard 
a little paradise. In many cases the fences for a whole 
block have been removed, giving the block a park-like 
appearance, a thing of beauty instead of ash barrels, bot- 
tles, tin cans and rubbish of all kinds. If such a change 
can be made in and under these conditions in a city, how 
nuich more can be done away from the city in the suburbs 
under much more favorable conditions than our city 
cousins have. 
The man or woman who does not in these days wish 
for a garden is hard to find, and there are some gardens 
that are beautiful, even though very small. It may be 
only a porch or window box, but for all that it is a joy 
to the owner if well kept, and that owner is often as 
proud of that box when the plants therein look well, as 
the owner of a large garden or park. 
Trees, deciduous or evergreen, shrubs, perennials, 
etc., are as much a part of the well-balanced garden as the 
lawn or flower beds. - Many of them are as highly decor- 
ative as any ornamental foliage plants, and some varieties 
are as useful for cut flowers, and a planting can be 
arranged so as to have some bloom or attraction the 
entire growing season, and with the evergreen tree, ever- 
green shrubbery, etc., a cheerful appearance will be had 
when the winter's snows are falling. 
Shrubs have many tises, such as a dividing line 
between places, or to screen the vegetable garden, or 
between the lawn and unsightly scenes beyond. They 
can be planted in a mixed shrubbery border, the taller 
growing ones in the background and the short, dense 
growing ones in the front. 
Tliorough preparation of the soil by sjjading, or where 
possible the tree holes should be dynamited, as this does 
the work much more thoroughly than is possible by 
spading, and a properly prepared hole in which to plant 
a tree or bush means much in the quickness and healthi- 
ness of the growth. To get this result, well-rotted 
manure or bone meal should be thoroughly incorporated 
with the soil. After the trees are planted if a good mulch 
of manure or litter is spread over the ground, only a lim- 
ited amount of cultivation will be necessary — just suffi- 
cient to kee]) down the weeds. When planting, care 
should be taken not to overcrowd, allowing ample room 
for future development, imless immediate effect is 
wanted, in which case they may be planted close and 
afterward every other one removed, but it is far better 
to plant at a regular distance, using some annuals to fill 
up until the regular planting covers the ground. 
I would advise, whenever practicable, that all planting 
be done as early in the fall as possible, as all trees planted 
early will take root before severe weather sets in, and 
are in a much better condition to start in the spring than 
