BERLIN, MARYLAND 67 
Flowering Shrubs 
Too often people in the country, and in small towns, think of shrubs as use¬ 
less ornaments, and do not plant them about their homes. But this class of 
home planting is beautiful in its dense leafiness, still more beautiful in its count¬ 
less flowers, and the varying sizes of the plants make them suitable for plant¬ 
ing in every yard or lawn. We list only a few of the most valuable varieties of 
shrubs, and suggest that you make use of them for the following purposes: 
If you have a bank too steep to walk on, which you do not want to cover with 
evergreens, plant it thickly in shrubs instead of trying to keep it covered with 
grass. The shrubs will make just as green a cover, will hold the soil as well, 
and, if you select the right varieties, will remain fresh and green through the 
dry, late summer months when grass turns brown. This substituting of shrubs 
for grass is a very good idea to use whenever you have trouble preserving the 
sward. Oftentimes people will not walk in paths. They cut across corners ^nd 
wear out the grass. If you had a line of shrubs as a barrier, they would not walk 
on the grass. The shrubs will thrive under harsher conditions than will the 
grass. 
Tall shrubs make good screens, and low ones are fine for planting under shade 
trees and evergreens, or around the foundation wall of your house. When you 
plant single shrubs, do not get them in the middle of the lawn or the yard. Some 
shrubs make ordinary bushes, but bear splendid flowers; other kinds make beau¬ 
tiful bushes and bear insignificant flowers. In the case of most flowering shrubs 
that are not especially well formed, cut the tops back sharply after setting. 
This may prevent the shrub blooming the first season, but you will be amply 
rewarded by having a fine, compact, symmetrical plant ready for blooming 
another season. 
PARCEL POST. See page 79 for prices. 
