New-York tribune., 1881-03-27
self because he dues not know his own Iimita-
cry SHRUBBERY.

c;ooo Tho spn crossed the line an efiorescence OF
briobter decoration and lutter Of gayer ribbons
have been noticed on the street. But no punctual
sdonton of spring style can avail to take the raw
vintrv edge from northern and western winds after
they have been sharpened by passing over leagues
of snow In fact, every effort to make believe that
spring came with the vernal equinox only seems p
a0gravate the cheerlessness and desolatlon Oh tne
tagging season. The color just beginning TO kindie
on the twigs OF the red naples, the silVer-lurreu
catkins of the early willows just beginning to creep
from under their winter covering and all the otner
tender promises of coming life sSS-svating be-
cause they are nothing but promises at time when
we have right to expect the substance, instead OF
things hoped for
Perhaps this feeling Of disappointment and discon-
tent makes our unclean streets look more hlthy than
they really are and clothes every unloVely object
with fresh deformity. Certain it IS that the le"
minor parks which our city possesses, Win tner
groups of disheveled shrubbery, never wore more
forlorn or forbiddng look than they do now. Ana
there are other than subjective ones 10 ac
count for this. A longer winter has given tnese
plots a larger opportunity to gather refuse ana
greater weight OF snow shoYelled in from the side5
walks has been more effective to break down tDe
shrubs or depress them into unshapellness' vi
course eaess shrub or tree is not seen at its BEST
Dut neither tree nor bnEuD shOulN WV " 49,
unsightly object The tracery ofinterlacng branches
when seen against the sky invests a tree with
winter beauty quite as distinct the play OF light
and shadow on its masses of foliage. And not to
sneak of the winter effects which can be produced
with the smaller evergreens, group OF thrifty de-
ciduous shrubs enyeoped by vapOrous suggestion
Of color from their tinted twig5 is by no means un-
attractive even before single bud Of leaf on Hover
has expanded. Fortunately the parks can be
cleaned to make room for the spIingng grass, ana
this work in of them Is already
going on. But no one discerns any intelligent care
extended to the shrubs. Now is the time to prune
the summer blooming varieties In order to torce
into growth the now wood upon which the flowers
appear. The carly blOomers flower on last years
wood, and need pruning after the blossoms have
come and gone Too often, under orders from the
Park Department., tho undiscrimnatng trimmer
goes forth to trim, shears them all smoothly of like
hedge-row, and promptly draws his pay for disGg-
urinR what he was sent to train into symmetry.
The critical spirit which is generated by this un-
reasonable weather ought not to shut our eyes 10
the fact that most Of park planting displays ex
celent taste respects. There is manifest an
appreciative comprehension of proper principles IN
arrangement. The groups are where they should
be to give the finest effect But excellence OF
general design Is too often hwared by an improper
selection OF varieties OF shrubs. Plants are CHOSEN
which neither harmonize contrast effectively IN
foliage No relation exists between the lndiVlduals
of a group either in FORM color size, habit or ex-
| preston. There Is no reason why every little
square and every mass of shrubbery should
not be a cabinet study of landscape eifectj but
it is quito MS impossible to accomplish this with
chance selection of shrubs as it would be to make
picture in mosaic by a promiscuous shaking
together of various colored stones
OF course the smoke and dust of New-York cannot
be regarded as favorable agencies for tho flourish
ing growth OF vegetation of any sort. But neither
are these conditions favorable in other cities and
vet the parks and gardens Of Paris have furnished
material for descriptive work Of rare interest and
with intelligent attention shrubs will grow here.
Some six years ago in yard on Madison
| ave- n selection Of the choicest low-growing
eyergreens was planted, and there has never been
day since when they have not arrested the attention
nj and given pleasure TO, passers-by whose eyes
were open 70 appreciate their graces These delicate
specimens live while others scken nnd die. simply
| because they are cared for by skilfnl hand The
city can command service Of the quality If it
will. When our parks come under supervision OF
! tb,s sort. and an iuteligcn' system Of pruning
takes tho place of no system at ALL tine city shrub
berry will never have such Struggling decrepit and
noribunh look as il now wears. after the hard
est of winters or in the most tardy and dsagreeabe
| 81 sDrinpa