FINE ARTS SB 473 B15 : « ;: i The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924015438447 HOME GROUNDS Their Plannin g and Plantin g TEXT PREPARED BY L.H.BAILEY or the American Association, of* Nurserymen SB 473.B15 ne " Univers " y Ubrary Home grounds, their planning and pla 3 1924 015 438 447 HOME GROUNDS: THEIR PLANNING erne/ PLANTING Text Prepared ' hy Jb.H. BAILEY /or flic American Association o/'JVursery/men THE AMERICAN HOME is the bulwark of the nation. To make it attractive without, as well as comfortable within, increases its efficiency in maintaining the good citizenship upon which the security of the American republic depends. The American Association of Nurserymen, a nation-wide, organi- zation with an honorable history of forty-two years, is earnestly interested in the betterment outside of American homes. As an evidence of that interest, it has secured the preparation of the following pages by an internationally known author and editor, who is alike admittedly the horticultural leader of America. It believes that it can offer at this time no greater service to the people of the United States. -s PUBLICITY COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSERYMEN J jiiiuiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiUHI.IIII.I I H I H IIi m i n i nilJllilimiiiiiiii i iiiiiuiiiiuiiiiiiu i imn (Copyright 1918, by J. Horace McFarland Company. All rights reserved as to contents. J. Horace McFarland Company. All illustrations and translation into any 1 ;hts reserved as to -uage.) rsi Consider the increased value of a home with well-planted surroundings! HOME GROUNDS: THEIR PLANNING AND PLANTING SECTIONAL ARRANGEMENT „ Fage General Statement: Introductory ... 1 The Two Basic Ideas 5 The Landscape-Garden 9 The Feeling for Plants 14 The Planting in Particular 19 Blossoms and Colors 34 The Fruit-Garden and the Vegetable-Garden 38 The Planting and the Caretaking ... 40 ASA FOREST is more than trees and as a city is more /^L than people, so is a home more than buildings. / ^ k It is more than a place in which to eat and sleep A ^^ and to find shelter and protection for the goods that we accumulate. It is also a place of satis- factions, with such arrangements and conveniences and attractions as will contribute to comfort and appeal to our best feelings. The conveniences provided, we then add books, pictures, music, and gather to ourselves the objects we like. The home comprises the grounds as well as the house; and the grounds also have their essential conve- niences and attractions. Plant-forms and colors are as much a part of a good home as are the books and many interior utilities and adornments. There is a beauty in an object, and there is another beauty of objects set together in harmony. In some houses the arrangement is always disturbing; in others it is satis- fying. So is there a satisfaction of plants standing by l HOME GROUNDS Introductory " rhero is a satisfaction of plants standing . . alone" themselves alone, and another satisfaction when they grow together in proper relations. As a piece of choice furniture may be out of place when set in the middle of a room or with inharmonious companions, so may the best bush or tree be out of place if it does not match and com- bine well with its associates and sur- roundings. It is not sufficient to have a good number of plants: they should be ^ '^.. placed with good taste. So this little book is about this subject — how to choose, arrange, and plant the home place. As every place is different, so is every one a problem by itself; but as there are controlling motives and regulations for painting and for music and for good writing, so are there certain guides to the disposition of the planting. The large and pretentious places — the estates — will have the advantage of the landscape architect's advice: all places profit greatly by such advice, often the small places even more than the large ones, yet the middle-class homes usually do not employ professional talent. This booklet cannot take the place of the artist who makes a study of a particular property. I know, however, that the artist will not be em- ployed, perhaps even when he is most needed. Let me repeat that the small property may specially profit by the personal touch of the landscape architect. The place may have no distinction in itself, as of size or strong natural features. It may be one of many similar properties on a street, all mediocre and without character. The artist, after studying the situation carefully, may make a simple change in grade or in surface form that will at once distinguish the place and set it apart as an artistic unit. Sometimes he General Statement HOME GROUNDS will sink the lawn, retaining raised and planted borders; sometimes he will subdivide it by grades, walls, or planting; sometimes he will introduce special features of banks, ter- races, or construction; sometimes he will close the views and sometimes open them: he will make one kind of com- position for it and another kind for the adjoining place. If the landscape artist has the placing of the house (I wish he had this responsibility more frequently), he might give it special relation to the domain by raising or lowering its floor-levels, by determining or changing its exact location; and he would so dispose all the outbuildings and accessories as to make a pic- j torial composition. Scattered, unrelated accessories obliter- ate or diffuse any distinction that the place otherwise may have. These remarks suggest roughly the advantage of a study of the place itself in its funda- mental conception rather than in the planting or furnish- ing alone. With these matters of de- sign we cannot pause, unfortunately, in this book, for we are now concerned primarily with the horticultural aspects of the subject. Even the smallest place, if there is ground enough for plants to grow on, may be made more pleasant and attractive by tasteful planting. Such planting, also, usually adds definite financial value. 3 Zpr "And another satisfaction when plants grow together in proper relations." o Zo -?a 60 a«> 100 i£o ito 160 iao zpo zit> zio &o zse\ Suggestion 1.— A SUBURBAN PROPERTY is here outlined, planted in tha "naturalistic" way. The shrub borders on three sides may include a large variety of attractive plants, including many trees. Such a development would becomo more satisfactory with each passing year. The Two Basic Ideas HOME GROUNDS TEE TWO BASIC IDEAS The residence may be set in a landscape, small or large, or its architectural lines or motive may be extended to the grounds, making what is known as a formal garden. It cannot be said that one of these forms and the free * s better than the other, for either may be good, depending on the natural conditions and on the taste of the occupant. The landscape or pictorial motive is usually the more adaptable for the type of places we are here considering. It is the less expensive and the more readily kept in good condition. The free lines allow of more or less irregularity in the upkeep and less exact- ness in the detail. A good formal garden must exhibit the details of perfection, one part balancing another, and all parts complete and unbroken. The formal garden is the special treatment; the landscape garden is the general treatment, and usually the more advantageous. A landscape is a piece of scenery, a prospect, landscape is comprising views and details of foliage, of surface, and other natural features. Usually we conceive of the landscape as extensive, at least with distant views, yet in fact it may be small and may derive its extent from the sky-view. In suburban places the effort is made to produce a bounded landscape, yet with views, or SsK^ft^S^mBip' "The residence may be set in a landscape" HOME GROUNDS The Two Basic Ideas making vistas, to outlying or remote objects, fields, or woods. The landscape garden, therefore, in a suburban rural residence domain comprises the two purposes — the purpose to make a good landscape of its own, and the purpose to bring into the area one or more good outlooks to the distance. It becomes a foreground to the greater views beyond; it is part of the vast sur- rounding nature. To se- cure these results depends on the fundamental plan of the place and on the way it is planted. The formal garden is not a landscape. Its interest lies within itself — in its balanced or at least geometrical parts, regular or controlled planting, its parallel and right-angle and intersecting lines, its defi- nite metes and bounds. The formal garden is necessarily detailed; the landscape garden is free and flowing in its forms. In formal gardens are straight or at least geometrical walks, parterres and beds, terraces or constructions of regularity, plants of form-like shape and more or less stiff growth which may be kept in shape by shearing. The formal treatment is by no means of one pat- tern, however. The competent artist will put as much of his own feeling and individuality into a formal treatment as into the freer kind, perhaps even more. He may even introduce elements of informality. A small formal garden may sometimes be introduced in landscape treatment by placing it as an adjunct to the house (as in Sug. 3, page 12), separating it distinctly from the larger and freer parts. An artist is specially needed in the formal kind of garden. "Architectural lines may be extended . . . what is known as a formal garden.' THE FORMAL TREATMENT 60 ■- -C es P >s3s ■ Pa a M ■ eg 9 s a .» -a Planting in Particular HOME GROUNDS WHY TREES ARE USED if the place is a farm home. Such driveways are often made attractive, and with fruit plantings, they may be profitable, Where to plant the trees and where the shrubs, cannot be told with much precision in a book. Yet something worth while can be suggested. Trees are planted (1) for shade — one or two or more on the lawn and perhaps others to shade the house; (2) to add in- terest to the sky-line, particularly to relieve the hardness of roof -lines; (3) to mark the borders and form part of the boundary planting; (4) to act as sides, frames or leading - "Some loneHOme group of buildings. and the picture it can be made" WHY SHRUBS ARE USED lines to distant views; (5) as wind-breaks or shelter-belts; (6) for their intrinsic beauty or interest. Shrubs are planted (1) to add furniture to the area; (1) to make the boundary areas real; (3) to supply borders and to cover high foundations and to fill meaningless corners; (4) to develop interest in the ground-line; (5) to add variety and the interest of different species; (6) to cover up errors in grade or in construction; (7) to afford bloom and attractive fruits. the planting This naming of all these categories makes it is to be plain that the best results are to be obtained varied j q i rregu l ar planting, not in straight-line arrangements. Trees, indeed, may be planted in rows with good effect when they cannot be disposed otherwise, as along the street; but for the most part they may be placed here and there where needed. The back row of shrubs on a boundary 25 HOME GROUNDS Planting in Particular line may be straight, but toward the lawn-side they may be set irregularly. The inner margin of the shrub planting should be in-and-out, with deep recesses or bays if the place is large enough, and small variations if the lawn is only five or six steps across. In general, the bays or hollows are m the direction of good views to the offscape, leading the vision outward over a lengthened attractive forescape. These 'The inner margin of the shrub planting should be in-and-out" bays increase the appearance of extent of the grounds — make the grounds look larger. The form of the planting, as suggested, is THE vistas determined largely by the views. From the porch should be a long view, if possible; also from one of the windows in every much-frequented room, by no means forgetting the kitchen. Standing in these places, the planter makes such a disposition of his material as will obstruct no singular view; the remaining parts may be filled with more or less dense or complete plantings. 26 Suggestion 8. — THE OBLONG LOT needs careful planting. Above, the scale shows 80 feet in width, but the lot itself is but 60 feet wide, and the house crosses nearly all of it. Simple border plantings, the utility garden in the rear cut off by a low hedge, and the generous open lawn, give an appearance of more room than the space would actually measure, 27 Suggestions 9 and 10.— NARROW CITY LOTS are difficult to plant success- fully, but there are so many of them that the attempt is worth while. There are two treatments above, out of many that might be proposed. The one on the left gives the more informal effect, and with a suitable choice of material may be made pleasing. The rectangular effect at the right indicates the use of small shrubs and herbaceous plants, for the most part. See also Suggestion 6. 28 Planting in Particular : HOME GROUNDS If it is impossible to have a good long view from any window, then make the planting itself unusually attractive opposite that point. This is often the necessity outside the kitchen window; but be careful not to plant so near and so heavily as to make the kitchen hot and close. It contributes much to comfort and clean- paved areas liness if the area just back of the kitchen is paved. If bricks or angular stones are used, without cement, the rain runs through, and the surface may be rinsed freely with buckets of water. It is not necessary that this pavement be kept wholly free of vegetation; in fact, the effect is better if short grass and moss grow in the crevices and joints. Stepping-stones set in the grass make good pave- ments and rear walks. The paved area may be more or less surrounded with shrub-planting. Usually the main shrub masses in a landscape planting garden produce a better effect if large parts or groups are planted of one species, rather than to be made up of many mixtures. Sometimes an entire side of the yard may be planted with one thing, as with Thunberg's barberry, Thunberg's or other spirea, one of the ligustrums, bush honeysuckle, hawthorn, viburnum. This makes a bold effect. Usually, however, if the line is 100 feet or more long, the resident will prefer different species to comprise the projections or promontories, and different ones perhaps for some of the deep bays. Care must be taken not to have the border look too continuous, "solid," and monot- onous. At places there may be complete breaks in it; at intervals trees may be set to relieve the regularity. Be it said that, if the shrub-planting is not satisfactory, it can be changed readily. An old gardener said that he moves his shrubs as he moves his wheelbarrow. The Japanese change the pictures on the walls to suit seasons and occasions. If the main masses of shrubbery are sufficiently permanent to allow the plants to attain the attractive «9 HOME GROUNDS Planting in Particular characters of maturity, the intermediate effects may be shifted every two or three years. In any event, do not regard a shrubbery as inviolable: if it proves to be unsatisfactory, try it again; move the shrubbery; add new items. In some situations a continuous line or band planting °f one-species planting may be introduced with good effect. This is allowable, for example, along a bold curving drive, particularly one that ascends sharply toward the residence or garage. For such a band nothing is better, in the northeastern parts of the con- tinent, than the half-formal Thunberg's barberry, although there is danger of over-planting this (and over-emphasizing its autumn color) just because it is so good. Some of the small spireas, philadelphuses and deutzias are good in these places. In such formal places as at conservatory entrances, along certain terraces or esplanades, by the side of drives and walks with curbs or copings, still more regular plants may be em- ployed, such as box, retinospora, and others of stiff growth; they may be planted in true lines and may intersect at right angles. At junction points and at ends, a larger formal "A line or band of one-species planting 80 along a bold curving drive" Planting in Particular HOME GROUNDS specimen may be inserted, if one so desires. The effect here is primarily architectural rather than landscapic. In the forks of walks and drives, along the OTHER PLACES , . ., , . ' ,. 8 .. for shrubs curves, and at other changes in direction, masses of shrubs should usually be planted. For the most part, these masses are free or infor- mal, but they may be of smaller-leaved species and lesser growth than those employed in the farther borders. A bush under a window is usually a delight, if it is of good growth. If the place is shady, it may be difficult, however, to obtain a good specimen, although the Indian currant usually does well, and there are other shade-enduring shrubs. Vines may be used freely for five general purposes: (1) As porch or veranda covers; (2) as climbers on brick or stone house-walls (3) as screens in places too narrow for shrub as arbor plants; (5) as canopies for rough banks, rocks and other exposed places. The choice of vines is large, and they have a special grace of appearance. If my reader is planting any considerable part of a property, however small the property may be, I hope he will try his hand at making a map or plan. Nothing will do so much to clarify and define his ideas. He will want a reason for every mark he makes. Measure the place carefully, get the points of the compass, locate the existing parts or features, indicate the distant views, draw to a scale. si "In such formal places . . . still more regular plants may be employed" WHY VINES ARE USED or chimneys; planting; (4) THE MAP OR CHART Planting in Particular HOME GROUNDS PLANS OR CHARTS The plans, Suggestions 1 to 12, show some of the ways in which small properties may be subdivided and organized, special attention being given to the planting. Not one of these plans is specifically recom- mended for application to a given place; they are studies in suggested treatment, the treatment itself to be worked out by the planter, usually with the assistance of the landscape architect or the nurseryman. These plans are only suggestions of mass, arrangement and subdivision, and "Vines may be used freely as screens ' are not specifications; they are not worked out in detail. Suggestions 13 and 14 show details of planting, for informa- tion to the novice. Of these plans, it may be said that they are drawn to scale, just as should be the home planter's plan above pro- posed. The method used by the draftsman ought to explain itself easily. He has used an irregular circle to indicate the spread of a tree when it has grown toward maturity. The smaller masses represent matured shrubbery. The legends under each plan will be helpful. 33 HOME GROUNDS Blossoms and Colors The scope of the plans comprises home areas of various dimensions, including the city lot. It is suggested that in some cases the planter may find help in dividing the plan that nearest meets his need, or rather in reducing it to the dimensions of his own place, always keeping in mind the general effect to be accomplished. TYPES OF SHRUBS BLOSSOMS AND COLORS All this time the reader has been wondering whether I would have any blossoms in my landscape garden ; and now I come to assure him that I would have many. But I would not have them in the middle of the front lawn any more than I would set down the good wife's sewing-machine on the greensward and leave it there. The shrubs and some of the trees may yield profusely of flowers. One need mention only the catalpa, paulownia, locust, horse- chestnut, buckeye, magnolia, yellow-wood, sophora, tulip tree, sorrel tree, plum and cherry, apple and pear; lilac, mock orange, elder, spirea, vibur- num, hawthorn, buddleia, hyperi- cum, privet, cytisus, deutzia, hydrangea, cornus, honeysuckle, kerria, rhodotypos, juneberry, red- bud, flowering currant, flowering almond, daphne, rose, kalmia, rhododendron, azalea, diervilla or weigela. Although the woody plants are primarily valuable in the landscape because of foliage, habit, and framework, yet the yield of flowers is to be considered and encouraged. If a flowering shrub has little merit in foli- age or form, it may be assigned to the flower-garden; this is the case with most of the garden roses. 34 or hot-water tanks with a side taken out" Blossoms and Colors : HOME GROUNDS Good flower-color is decidedly in keeping in the land- scape part of the property; but if flowers are wanted as „._„. T „ flowers, for their own interest and for cut- FLOWERS lit , • ,-i Till * the yard tin g> they should be grown in an area set aside for the purpose, as the kitchen vege- tables are grown in a place of their own. The flowers may then be grown as a crop, with prepared soil conditions, proper t care all the season, facilities for tillage. If one wants excel- *** m ... and on scrutiny tmos a tew lent roses or marigolds or abashed blooms within" pansies or sweet peas, the plants should have the condi- tions and treatment that will produce the best yield; these conditions cannot be had in holes cut in the lawn, and the holes also spoil the lawn; nor can they be secured in sewer-pipes stood on end, or in hot-water tanks with a side taken out, or in pails perched on posts, or in wash-boilers or broken-legged kettles, or in discarded bath-tubs displayed in the yard, even though these receptacles are painted ever so amazingly. Neither is it good morals to imprison the flowers within little stockades which the hens cannot invade. One often sees in a front yard an elaborate picket inclosure with chicken-wire entanglements, and on scrutiny finds a few abashed blooms within. where There are places in the landscape garden flowers are where flowers may be planted, but the flowers in place are then to be a part of the landscape, giving proper accent to the picture, not to display some weakness of the resident. Often they may be freely used along the edge of shrubbery masses, particularly when the shrubbery is young and does not yet droop to the greensward. In fact, in certain places a strip just in front of the shrubbery may be pre- pared for flowering herbs, care being taken that the subjects shall not be inharmonious with the other planting. Certain 35 r CI fl tH « PI a .2 a ■So o ^ 3Eh o a -a 0) ■'■ tl Pi ,0 +3 >, a - a a J S P. o3 b h O » C3 > -3 9 m-P ? -1) ,d H M - en s; jt ot O g g tu :.a-s* a- 2< 3 & .2 § 5 o a, ° ° So JP fl m o ■3 oa 3 2J8 1 © a h m gl gjj j§ _i ° d ° 3 S S-S 5 © 09 O nj bC-3 P.-3 cq - s i •a — to ® ■ a r a H "S o ® J n 5 .9 "ft Blossoms and Colors HOME GROUNDS THE FLOWER GARDEN flower-plants are good for edgings along walks or other formal lines, in front of porches, and the like. In these uses the foliage effects and masses are to be considered as well as the bloom, and such plants should be chosen as will endure for the longest season and show the best vigor. One-legged geraniums and similar cripples should be excused from doing duty in such exposed places. In a special garden of flowers the yield may be large and the bloom may be picked freely. One should want a good crop, as if one were growing Indian corn or sweet potatoes. Fertilize the land well, prepare it early and deep, make it just right for the crop you would grow, and then grow it in earnest and without apology. Here try the novelties — holding- fast to the dependables ; here plan for variety and succession; from here supply the table and the neighbors. At one side or at the rear of the residence should be the place for the flower-garden. It should be at least partially inclosed with shrub or screen planting. Choose good land capable of drainage, protected from wind, free of tree roots, well open to the sun. You may turn your seed catalogue loose in a place like this. We must not forget the herbaceous border. of herbs There is endless delight in a long plantation of perennial herbs. The season may be covered in the bloom. The forms are always interesting. The first warmth of spring brings them out and the last frosts of autumn find them still in blossom. The form and leafage of the clumps in the early season are specially attractive. In 'In front of shrubbery is a good place for herbaceous planting" 37 HOME GROUNDS The Vegetable-Garden front of shrubbery is a good place for an herbaceous planting; or a border may be placed either side of a rear walk. The herbaceous plants show to great advantage on the sides of a long lawn strip that may be used as a promenade. The names of them are household words: bleeding-heart, snapdragon, lark- spur, columbine, peony, pansy, sunflower, rose mallow, golden- rod, windflower, poppy, lily, phlox, monkshood, hollyhock, foxglove, thrift, evening prim- rose, daisy, dusty miller, bluebell, pink, lily -of -the -valley, forget- me-not, running myrtle, violet, aster, baby's-breath, Christmas rose, chamomile, ragged robin, campion, catchfly, wallflower, polyanthus, sweet william, prim- rose, everlasting pea, crown im- perial, tuberose, live - forever, meadowsweet, star of Bethlehem, sea-lavender, stonecrop, poker-plant, celandine, and the pleasant company of spring and summer bulbs. "Or ft border of herbaceous plants may be placed either side of a walk." TEE FRUIT-GARDEN AND THE VEGETABLE-GARDEN VEGETABLE- GARDEN If the property is of sufficient size, it should support a vegetable-garden and a fruit- garden. If the area is limited, vegetables and flowers may be grown on the same subdivision ; the combina- tion is often advantageous in many ways and may be made attractive. To grow good vegetables for the support of the home is one of the best satisfactions. Vegetable plants are also in themselves as interesting as flower plants. In the mak- ing of a good vegetable-garden there is a masterful sense of 38 The Fruit-Garden HOME GROUNDS manipulation that should appeal strongly to growing boys, if the proper intellectual approach can be made to it. While the old-time fruit-garden, containing plantation a wide variety of kinds of all the main tree fruits and berries, is now only in point for fanciers or on large estates, there is yet great satisfaction in the growing of those fruits not so easily obtainable in fresh- ness and high quality in the markets. Although fruit-growing has been much specialized, and, in many regions, standard items are obtainable in the markets over a long season, the home fruit-garden is yet a most desirable feature. A few trees can be grown about the margins, a cherry or an apple often massing quite as well as a maple or a linden, with the added advantages of good bloom and interesting fruit. There may be a line or a border of berry plants, as currants, raspberries and blackberries, and certain of the smaller- habited tree fruits can be used in a screen planting. Home- grown strawberries may be had with little trouble. More "Every property 3houJd have a utility garden" fruits can be grown on a small area, by intensive meth- ods that are themselves interesting to practice, than most persons are aware. In these times of national frugality, the growing of fruits about the home is a desirable duty. The nurseryman should be informed about those suitable for the 39 HOME GROUNDS : Planting and Cabetaktng particular locality, for it is important to avoid the planting of varieties that have been found to be unadapted. the combined Instead of setting aside separate subdivisions service- for flowers, vegetables, and fruits, most garden persons will find it more advantageous to devote the whole rear part of the property to these crops, making it a filled area, well protected and inclosed, and per- haps one side or corner of it given to poultry. Every prop- erty having any rear area beyond the service-yards should carry a utility garden of this kind. It would be an immense gain if every city and town resident were to be committed to the idea of actually working the land. The expenditure of downright shirt-sleeve art is a great stimulator to the knowledge and appreciation of gardens. One never under- stands a plant fully until one grows it. THE PLANTING AND THE CARETAKING So commonly are instructions for manual operations given in books, periodicals, bulletins, and catalogues that it is unnecessary to enlarge on them here. The intending planter will do well to write to his experiment station and to the United States Department of Agriculture for publications bearing on the special subjects; this is particularly necessary in the treatment of insects and plant diseases, that one may be informed of the latest practices and materials.* Before any planting is undertaken, even of the land before the lawn is made, the land should be well prepared — drains laid if necessary, water- pipes and other conduits placed, the proper grading com- pleted, the area plowed or spaded deep, stones and refuse re- *Dr. Bailey has not here mentioned the best American guide for garden operations. It is his Manual of Gardening, a volume of 541 pages and 318 text illustrations, and 32 plates, both complete and interesting. It can be bought ol the local book-seller, or of The Macmillan Company, 66 Fifth Avenue, New York, for 82.17 postpaid — The. Ptiblicity Committee of the American Association of Nurserymen . 40 ft fmm LAR^E JC&LE ITflTERlftL The. ^ame. Bay- Five El_E.METiTj ftEMOVE^ - REjVLTAMT- Nftjj , ^"ROVP ATiJ) JPECIMEHT. EJ.H. "•# Suggestion 13. —PLANTING OF A BAY OR CORNER is sketched as above, the circles indicating the actual number of shrubs composing it. Both treatments are agreeable, the choice relating to exposure and preference. 41 ffEDfE PLffllTIK?. ft Kmim of TftEy ftp JffB^j-IIftjj Aip> jptcinor &a Kg Suggestion 14.— PLANTING DETAILS. A ffedpe Planting,— Note even spacing of individual plants in a straight line, distanced properly for the species. A jtfoss Planting of Shrubs. —Composed of three sizes, arranged in order of sizes. The ground plan at the right is an illustration of an easily applied principle. A Planting of Trees and Shrubs as Mass and Specimens. — The mass is composed of large shrubs, with smaller in front, and including trees as accents. Planting and Caretaking HOME GROUNDS moved, manure and fertilizers applied. Then the place is staked out, the border plantings marked by lines in the earth, by a limp rope laid on the surface, or otherwise. The first year or two, or more, the shrubbery may need to be regularly tilled. Weeds should be removed. Between the young shrubs annual flowers may be grown, if desired; but, in that case, care must be taken to insure sufficient fertilizer and water for the prosperity of the double crop. Too many home-improvers think the most important act is hurriedly to prepare the ground and to sow or sod the lawn, prior to the planting of the trees and shrubs. It is better to delay the lawn-making until these outline features are planted, after ABOUT THE LAWN Although "the shearing of bushes is a reprehensible practice treatment, uniformity may be essential" in a formal which the ground may be worked over and grass seed sown, with a much greater likelihood of success. The essential to a good sward is good ground under it. To prepare the ground as if it were expected to produce a sat- isfactory crop of corn or potatoes, and then to rake and pulverize the upper two inches of it, will provide condi- tions for starting a lawn. The seed-bed should be as nearly perfect as possible. Thin, poor soil means a thin, poor lawn; 43 HOME GROUNDS Planting and Caretaking there is no such thing as "luck" to excuse or help out poor preparation. Take time, and fertilize well, noting also that grass seeds, especially in the northern states, germinate best in the cooler months. The early spring, or the cool fall months, are best for lawn seeding. The best kind of grass for the lawn is largely a question of climate. In the cool North (say north of the Ohio River and southward in the higher lands) , June-grass is most satis- factory. Other grasses, as timothy, may be sown with it for immediate effect, but the June-grass will crowd them out in time. In the South, Bermuda-grass is the favor- ite. Sow heavily, for the covering is comprised of many soft stems rather than, as in meadows, of a relatively few strong stems. Be careful not to sow the lawn with weeds, either in the seed or in the manure. Only well- cleaned seeds should be used. A good lawn is a good crop of grass; as before noted, it depends on good land, good seed, and also on continuing care. Poor and thin places are to be newly prepared, fertilized, the mistake or deficiency corrected, and then re-sown. The shrubs and trees are cut back at planting perhaps one-half or more of the twig-growth. After the plants are thoroughly established, pruning should be pruning restricted to removal of unsymmetrical or injured growths, the idea being to keep the subject healthy and within its proper bounds, yet allowing it to mature into its own natural characteristic form. The . pruning should be restricted to removal of unsymmetrical or injured growths" Planting and Caretaking : HOME GROUNDS shearing of bushes is a reprehensible practice. If the plant- ings are in straight lines in a strictly formal treatment, uniformity in shape may be essential; but to shear bushes that are standing in the open lawn or in free border plant- ings is to contradict the very purpose for which the things are planted. There is no meaning in choosing a variety of subjects if they are all to be barbered to similar shapes, thus losing all individuality. It should also be noted that any needed pruning of spring-blooming shrubs should be done in the summer; many times the improper spring shear- ing not only destroys the individuality and the beauty of a shrub but prevents it from blooming. In milder parts of the country, and as far planting north as New York and Cleveland, many hardy shrubs and trees may advantageously be planted in the autumn if the ground is well prepared and the place is not too bleak. The advantage of fall planting is that it can usually be performed more carefully, because neither the nurseryman nor the planter is so hurried as in the rush of spring. There is the further advantage that many subjects begin root-growth very early in spring, and thus time is gained. Particularly in fall planting is it important to see that the earth is firmed well about the plants, and that no holes are left near them in which water may collect. Trees should be firmly tied to stakes, if necessary, so that the winter winds do not whip them. If fall planting is impracticable, at least the home- improver can usually order the stock in the fall, often in time so that it may be received and "heeled in" until spring. (Heeling-in is accomplished by digging a trench deep enough to receive the roots of the bundles of trees and plants, which may well be inclined to one side. The earth should be filled in closely about the roots, and any rough protection to the tops wiU be an advantage. Untie the bundles, so that the roots may be well covered. See that mice do not live under 45 Planting and Caretaking : HOME GROUNDS the covering.) Be sure that the labels are secure and legible, so that when finally planted the place of each sort may be accurately marked on the map or chart. A wooden label freshly and thinly painted with white-lead and written upon with a soft lead-pencil while yet "wet" will remain legible for a year at least, but the unpainted label may be illegible by spring. In final planting, make sure to untwist the label wire, for otherwise it may "girdle" and injure the branch or stem to which it is attached. Trees for shade are of two classes in the shade trees landscape: those planted directly and only for this purpose, and those forming part of the pictorial composition. The former are those planted along the street. The designer may work them into his plan, but they are usually a more or less unrelated or separate note. Nevertheless, they are desirable in themselves and also in giving character to the street and in contributing to the civic unity. If the community has a plan for street-tree planting, looking toward the development of consistent beauty in the highway, the property-owner will follow it, of course; but if he may plant as he will, he should choose trees adapted to the width of the street, and tending toward its adequate furnishing. The nurseryman of the neighbor- hood will have some ideas on this subject which will be worth considering. The other class of shade trees comprises those planted in the grounds. They should be placed as part of the design or landscape arrangement, in such positions as will protect certain windows or rooms or porches at given hours. The best trees for shade are the tall strong growers with broad leaves and rather dense foliage. One does not think of the poplars and willows as shade trees, and yet some species are very useful for this purpose when mature. In general, reliance is to be had on elms, oaks, maples, lindens, planes. For special purposes or regions, one may choose horse- 47 HOME GROUNDS : Planting and Caretaking chestnuts, buckeye, locusts, ginkgo, ashes, birches, beeches, catalpas, box-elders, liquidambar or sweet gum, lirioden- dron or tulip tree, and some of the conifers. A tree makes good shade only when it is given room and headway, and is kept in healthy condition. Very few shade trees are needed in ordinary grounds. The tendency is to overplant. The fight against insect pests and diseases of plants is unremitting. In many places there are now persons equipped to spray large trees, as elms for the elm-leaf beetle, and shrubbery for scale. If such help is not to be had, the owner should provide himself with a spray pump and hose that will reach the highest trees that are likely to be affected. Lime- sulphur, bordeaux mixture, paris green or other arsenicals, kerosene emulsion, are standard remedies. On low plants, much can be accomplished by hand-picking if the grower keeps the plantation under constant watch; it is usually not very laborious for the larger insects. Keep the place open and free from obstruc- tions and curiosities. The curios may be placed in the cellar, museum, or back yard. Every part of the home grounds should be neat and well cared for. Good housekeeping is as essential here as indoors, and good taste in arrangement is even more in evidence. If the home landscape garden is well planned and care- fully executed, it will be not only a satisfaction in itself but will invite the occupants to spend much time out-of-doors. GENERAL CARE Shrubbery, hedge, and street trees are all worth while. "flip A small area planted carefully to dwarf fruit trees and small fruits will yield an abundance of healthful food-fruits. The place above partially pictured, provides apples, pears, plums, peaches, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, currants and gooseberries, with room for rhubarb and aspara- gus, in an area of 30 by 4.5 feet.