The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-09-28

the season and necessitates beginning
all over again each year. Whether
on large or small scale, the system,
in the case of those who own or lease
tb cir homes, is as short-sighted as it
is improvident, aud to the genuine
fiower-lover unsatisfactory. What
should be aimed ut in any garden,
is not one effect, however dazzling,
but succession OF effects appropriate
TO aud expressive of the passing
months. The most skillful arrange
ments of bedding out plants weary
the eye aud starve the heart. A
chord of music, no matter how rich
the tones, how perfect the intervals,
Of which it is composed, if incessantly
reiterated becomes first tiresome,
then maddening. What we want in
our gardens is not one chord, nor
even one pretty tune, buta symphony,
beginning with the delicate tremolo
Of snow drops and crocus, and ending
in the grand finale of the chrysanthe.
mum, The "bedding-ont plants"
speak the idle chatter of afternoon
teas, the hardy plants the language Of
poets and philosophers.
LANDSCAPE GARDENING.
The landscape gardener has never
lost sight of those truths, but where
ever given full scope has availed him
self of the possibilities contained in
many hardy plants almost forgotten,
or indifferently regarded by the
present generation. Believe me, our
great-grandparents knew precisely
what they are about; their gardens
had dignity and grace, significance,
which our modern ones lack, but
which they need no longer lack. First
must come the conviction of our mis-
take, then careful study of means and
ends. The first cost may be little
startling, the desired result not as i'm
mediately apparent as under the old
system, but garden once stocked
with good. hardy, well-chosen plants
will be the source of inexhaustible
pleasure and artistic development.
In the end the saving in expense and
labor will be apparent to any one.
Not that hardy plants need no care,
for some of them require considera-
BILE, but never that continual fussing
over and pottering about that mere
summer flowers demand.
CITY BACK YARDS.
Once again the writer urges the
Identifying of city back yards. The
American abroad fiIds nothing more
surprising than the glimpse of beauty
gained from windows overlooking
court yards and rear enclosures in
foreign cities. A little splashing foup-
tain encircled with handsome plants,
rockeries and grottoes wreathed in
vines and ferns, bits of velvet sand
not larger than a dinner napkin, neat
gravel walks, grapes and apricots
| trained against the dividing walls,
/ which are never of unsiShtly planks
as with us, but of good, solid masonry
Truly we can learn many lesson of
| thrift and beauty from the "effete cit
liens" of European countries. Let
us then rise as one man and Danish
ash barrel and garbage pail from our
back yards, and make them little oasis
| of verdure if not of bloom. Few are
| the spots where nothing will grow,
| thanks to bountiful natures adaptive
ness.
Study your ground. Note where
the sunshine falls earliest and remains
longest; note if there is any spot where
water settles and remains after rains
or melting SHOWS. This last spot
should be given an outlet by draining
it into an alley. Or it may be deeply
dug, say three feet, and layer of
stones, cinders or bricks placed at the
bottom before anything is planted
upon it. No plants can long survive
water settling and freezing about the
roots.
THE PRACTICAL DETAILS.
Lay out your beds generously, ,grudg.
ingly allowing for domestic purposes.
Examine the sell and supply what il
lacks. If you do not trust your own
judgment in this, get some one who
knows to advise you. Devote at least
as much thought to all these prepara
tions as you would to she planning o.
new gown or luncheon party, and tC
the selection of what shall be planted
u thousand times more. (All beds ant
borders are the better for being raised
somewhat in the middle.) Inform
yourself of the nature of the plants
you desire to cultivate. If possible
visit all the fine gardens and lawns
within reach. No matter how inferior
your own resources, some valuable
hints are sure to be obtained, and pro
fessional gardeners and florists arr
generally willing to talk to people whc
appreciate their work Study work.
ON Horticulture, make diagrams of bed
and arrangements, plant imaginar.
gardens and, finally, decide on wha
seems most likely to succeed well un
der the existing conditions. Allow
margin for the evanescent summe
flowers, ANNALS, etc. which help on
wonderfully, especially N the frs
season or two, and be sure to plan TO
succession of bloom. Such gardel
once started is as satisfying as good
solid bank account.
NATURE AND ART.
Study for natural and picturesqu
effects. Mass your plants--a cluml
of peonies here, another of lilies there
group of spirea in one place, of rud
beckia in another, of scarlet phlox o
, ornamental grass elsewhere. Aroun
J the roots of hardy shrubs plant narcis
, Gus; in grassy corners, which the lawn
mower must not invade, plant our na