CHAPTER XII. 
RELATIVE BEAUTY OF LAWN, TREES, SHRUBS, AND 
FLOWERS. 
T HE true lover of nature is so omnivorous in his tastes, 
that for him to classify her family into different grades of 
usefulness or beauty, is about as difficult a task as to 
name which of her vegetable productions is the best 
food. But though a variety is better than any one, there is, in 
both cases, strong ground for a decided choice ; and we repeat 
what has already been suggested, that, of all the external decora¬ 
tions of a home, a well kept Lawn is the most essential. Imagine 
the finest trees environing a dwelling, but everywhere beneath 
them only bare ground: then picture the same dwelling with a 
velvet greensward spreading away from it on all sides, without a 
tree or shrub upon it, and choose which is the most pleasing to the 
eye. The question of value is not to be considered, but simply 
which, in connection with the dwelling, will make the most satis¬ 
factory impression on the mind. The fine trees are vastly the 
