The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-12-12
Adjournment OF THE HOME.


The wake of spring and the return of
! autumn, clad in the brilliant dress of
purple and golden foliage, imparting to
nature that characteristic charm of
endless variety of hues and colors-a
i frolic, as it were, before the dreary
death of winter reminds the editor
periodically of his duty of offering to
his patrons few practical suggestions
in regard to the establishment of the
grounds surrounding the home, and
therefore in constant sight of the in
mates-old and young.
The subject has, like many other
kindred topics, two sides from which it
may be viewed, it has bearing on the
mind, its nourishment and expansion,
and it is a question of what to do,
what to plant, and how to arrange
the immediate surroundings of the
homestead. Let US first remember that
cleanliness is an important attribute of
godliness. Our foremost efforts should
in consequence be directed to thor
ough cleaning of the yard, the garden
and the orchard. Give to them an
honest combing, and they will be much
brighter and inviting in return for the
labor bestowed upon the operation.
Remove the weeds, the piles of rubbish
that may have accumulated during the
busy time of summer, and all that
MARI the clean and bright looks of the
premises, This change will be pleas
ant episode in the routine of daily life
of tho family circle, it will be pleasing
to all alike, it is the most important
step in improvement.
Next. let us inquire into the sylvan
decoration of the place, which gives the
real, the. solid, comfort to the home
grounds. How wide field of specula-
ton and reflection is opened to us in
this direction, how many trees may be
missing, how bare and dreary may be
the surroundings of the house, or how
wild and uninviting to the eye may be
the natural forest growth happening to
be on the ground. Give this question.
for once. a. serious consideration, and
adopt the most rational course to
remedy the defects, remembering the
fundamcptal principle expressed in Ma
lures scenery everywhere, proper
balance of light and shade, of wood
and lawn. Select the spots where
shade viii be most desirable, and plant
on them .he needed trees. No better,
more convenient time to do this work
will come the year around, than the
present, the pleasant days of fall and
early winter. Deferring it til busy
spring is in most cases equivalent to
neglectins it altogether.
Il will be readily understood that
good judgment should be used in the
question of what to plant in front of
the house and around the most
frequentei places of the premises.
1t is evident that shade and
ornamental trees and shrubs are more
desirable and beiitting materials of
ornamentatiOn than fruit trees and
bushes. The latter are far better located
when planted by themselves, in orchard
form, encouraged by suitable cultiva-
ton, thal when scattered promiscuous-
" all over the grounds, mixed between
| the shade trees and ornamental shrub
berry. The plainest rules of rational fit
ness of things demand this separation,
though it is strangely ignored in very
many eases.
The front yard should be the lawn,
from which arise the stately trees, of
| shade and ornament, and clumps of
Towering shrubs, bordered by bright
| flowers. The ground in the rear of the
house is devoted to the orchard and the
| garden. How great is the difference in
places improved on this plan of ration
al separation, and such as planted in a
painless haphazard manner of Inter-
mixture of everything that may be set
out. JudiciOus association of trees and
shrubs is equally necessary also in the
arrangement of the lawn devoted TO Or
namental purposes. A painless mix
ing up of things will never produce a
pleasant sylvan scene, nor a be-
fitting foreground to the residence,
but will ever be a confused mass
of shrubbery, no matter how many
fine and interesting specimens may be
found therein. The disposition of the
material of decoration of the lawn is a
direct test OF the planters conception
of design, Of the beautiful in nature.
If he plants simply as his fancy may
direct regardless of the pattern of nat
duce in time sylvan picture resem-
bling beautiful natural scene, and
therefore pleasing to every beholder.
This is the point, where horticultural
Efforts must be assisted by artistic Cor
sideratiOns, its discussion in this con-
nection would lead us into matters ap-
pertaining to the art of landscape gar
dening, which we do not design to
touch on this present occasion. 1t will
suffice to say that lofty growing trees,
shrubs and evergreens, should not be
planted as the merest notion or acei-
dent may will it. but should be sepa-
rated to some extent at least, and as
ISOLATED in such manner as to form
groups, whose development will not be
impeded or prevented by surrounding
trees.
foresight to the future is indis-
pensably necessary to success in or
namental planting, but most strangely
ignored in many cases, Attempt to
form a group of shade trees, where
shade may be most desirable, select
spot where Towering shrubs and flow
ers may be in harmony to their sur
roundings, and plant the eyergreens
where they can develop freely, to
form pleasing contrast to the leafy
trees. In this wise you will produce
a striking and pleasant variety, whilst
a promiscuous mixing up of shrubbery
can only result in confused mass of
foliage, continually losing instead of
gaining in beauty and attraction, as
vegetation develops the true proportion
of the different trees and shrubs.