122 SUBURBAN GARDENS 
variations probably, hence do not appreciate 
what we are inflicting upon ourselves and upon 
our neighbors. All of which is apropos of 
the craze for vari-colored foliage, for the 
golden this and the silver that — and the blue 
spruce. 
Growing in the little groves of its kind as 
Nature scatters it, or here and there on the 
banks of western streams, this free is an in- 
teresting and attractive specimen, but brought 
into the dooryard and set down under the win- 
dows it is out of key with everything in sight, 
destroying by its presence all chance of the 
garden ever being anything but a secondary 
consideration. And so far from being im- 
pressive after its youth is past, the tree’s sym- 
metrical beauty of form is early lost and it 
becomes ugly and unsightly. 
Be sure that the normal type of vegetation 
is the only safe type to plant — safe because 
permanent and truly beautiful because normal; 
do not let the promises of any person, inter- 
ested or disinterested, avail to break a resolu- 
tion to stick to this. When in doubt about 
anything, or almost persuaded, yet not certain 
of the effect that will result, do not buy. Test 
the fitness of every specimen Introduced by 
the good stiff test of logic and common sense. 
