104 
BEAUTY OF SHRUBBERIES. 
suburban lots built on are bare of trees, and therefore, after the 
attainment of a fine lawn, the lowly beauties of shrubs and flowers, 
with all their varied luxuriance of foliage and fragrant bloom, must 
be the main features of the place, while the trees are also growing 
in their midst which may eventually over-top and supersede them. 
If one could imagine Americans to live their married lives, each 
pair in one home, what a pleasing variety might the changing years 
bring them. An unbroken lawn around the dwelling should typify 
the unwritten page in the opening book of earnest life. Young 
trees planted here and there upon it would suggest looking forward 
to the time when, under their grand shadows, the declining years of 
the twain may be spent in dignity and repose. Flowers and shrubs 
meanwhile repay with grateful beauty all their care, until, over- 
shadowed by the nobler growth, they are removed as cumberers of 
the ground, and give way to the simplicity that becomes “ a fine 
old home.” 
Most small places can be much more charmingly planted with 
shrubs alone, than with trees and shrubs mingled. Indeed, it is 
one of the greatest blunders of inexperienced planters to put in 
trees where there is only room enough for shrubs. A small yard 
may be made quite attractive by the artistic management of shrubs 
and flowers whose size is adapted to the contracted ground ; but 
the same place would be so filled up by the planting of a cherry 
tree or a horse-chestnut, that no such effect could be produced. 
Where the decorative portion of the grounds do not exceed a 
half acre, there can be little question of the superior beauty of 
shrubberies to the very small collection of trees that such narrow 
limits can accommodate. The greatly increased beauty of shrubs 
when seen upon a lawn without any shadowing of trees, nor 
crowded one side or another “ to fill-up,” can only be appreciated 
by those who have seen the elegance of a tastefully arranged place 
planted with shrubs alone. 
The part which annuals and low growing flowers should have 
in home surroundings may be compared with the lace, linen, and 
ribbon decorations of a lady’s dress — being essential ornaments, 
and yet to be introduced sparingly. Walks may be bordered, and 
groups pointed, and bays in the shrubbery brightened by them ; 
