August, 
1914 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
95 
Double rows of arborvitae sheared, and even unclipped, form a fully protected promenade in very cold weather. 
Spruce, hemlock or pine serve effectively for the outer row 
double one. These will not grow high 
enough to make of the outer walk a 
fully protected promenade in very cold 
weather, but they sometimes reach the 
shoulder, and will make an effective 
barrier. With these the dwarfer Biota 
orientalis coinpacta might be used for 
the center hedges, with the arches of 
the common native arborvitae — Thuya 
occidentalis or the pyramidal form of 
this. The latter retains its fresh green 
color all through the winter somewhat 
better than the type. 
Outside the garden proper a screen 
planting of some one variety should be 
grouped, densest on the north and 
northeast or northwest, according to 
the direction from which the prevail¬ 
ing coldest winter winds come. Out 
and beyond these, other broken groups, 
arranged according to the principle 
which the diagram illustrates, should 
intercept these same winds and begin 
their undoing while they are still some 
distance away. 
No finer tree than Nordman's fir can 
be found for the outermost screen plan¬ 
tations; it is strong and hardy, retains 
its lower branches even in old age, and a single specimen offers 
a formidable “wind-shredder,” for its sturdy leaves are thicker 
than those of other similar trees. Groups of these and of the 
white spruce planted to shield the space where the winter garden 
lies will form of themselves delightfully sheltered little groves. 
In planting these, or any other evergreen, set the individuals 
far enough apart so that they do not touch, or more than touch, 
at the time of planting. They may be planted in much more open 
spacing than this, but thev should never go nearer, the idea being 
to give them an opportunity naturally to commingle their branches 
as they grow and to adapt themselves each to each. 
Plantings that are made for immediate effect will therefore 
take fewer specimens than would be needed if small plants were 
used. For sheared hedges it is best not to start with them very 
large, lest gaps that will not cover show between the fully de¬ 
veloped specimens. The smallest size is placed one foot apart 
in the row, this being as close as they need ever be planted. I 
should never advise using plants so large that they will require 
more than twenty inches between them. 
I have purposely avoided suggesting any of the fancy ever¬ 
greens so commonly and impetuously admired, for it is doubtful 
if any arrangement of these can be made that will add anything 
to the landscape; under any save the most exceptional circum¬ 
stances their use cannot be too resolutely avoided. But within a 
winter garden one is free to choose material that would not be 
to the general advantage of a place if used outside this space. 
If there is a favored variety, choose it in place of what I have 
suggested for the inner planting. Do not mix many varieties, 
however; stick to the one, notwithstanding all that may be said 
; (Continued on page 112) 
Broken groups on the outer rim of a garden prove per¬ 
fect wind shredders 
The planting of white spruce should be plotted out with an eye for their eventual forest grouping and the 
forming of sheltered groves 
