Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-08-11
ORNAMENTAL LAWNS.
WELL KEPT GROUNDS HAVE A CON-
MERCIAL VALUE.

Trouble VIII Make Town Beau
tiful.
In no way can n place be made more
attractive in appearance or be cnhanc-
ed more in value than by the eXpcndi-
ture of little time mot.always money!
in cndcavoring to bcautify 1t by TAX
ing advantage of nature, says G. w.
Strand of the Minnesota Forestry asso-
citation.
Each individual can accomplish this
at much less expense and with a
greater amount of satisfaction to him
self than if left to any village council,
however careful 1t may be.
Tastes differ No two of us are alike.
But by going at 1t with n little interest
In the work and possibly n good suS-
gcstion from some older or more en-
thusiastic head you will count 1t
pleasure every time you have occasion
to look upon the effect of the effort put
forth. If e thing is worth doing. it Is
worth doing we'll, and hence before
starting in Il haphaZard manner study
the question a little. What trees, vines,
shrubs. etc, will do best here or there,
and also give the most pleasing results:
Figure on room enough. for they will
be large some day. There are few
places that cannot be touched up some
and many that will stand considerable,
and now is the time to plan on 1t.
improvements of this nature have
great deal to do with the prosperity OF
any place. The value of surrounding
trees, etc, affects not only their local
position and ncighborhood, but all who
come in contact with their influence;
hence we might say they are public
property or should be regarded as such.
Shall 1t not be said of your city,
"What a pretty place" 1t lies within
your power to make 1t such. IL each
will but lift a little on the wheel, 1t
will speed along rapidly toward that
destination.
You cannot begin too soon to plan on
decorating your home grounds. Try 1t
and see if this does not increase the
interest In your homo, in your neigh
boris home in your village. in the wei
fare of the community in general. Hav-
but favor your efforts, for ''in unity
there is strength"
Did YOU ever pass by place and re-
mark or hear strangers speak about
the beauties of a certain vicinity? The
travelling public particularly and all
persons in general when brought into
such position prove the truth that
there are few who do not appreciate
the beauties of nature in their sur
roundings.
TO great extent we measure the
prosperity and height of civilization of
q country or community by the homes
of its people.
Although means may do much to-
ward identifying place, 1t Is lack OF
something else that leaves it barren
and unnviting.
1t is q general failing among the ma
jority of people to fall into n rut and
not make any great effort to get out
or even seriously think that there are
better or higher things to strive for.
In rural districts, next after obtaining
an existence. the home receives the at
tcntiOn, and, following closely or
directly with this, comes the above
problem.
Experience is the best teacher, but
we can learn much of value. if we
choose, by observation and from that
of others.
After planting the wind break or
grove, as we near the inner side, come
the opportunities for more Judgment
in arrangement and taste and then iii
the decorating of interior grounds.
The cndeavor on this hand is to break
up that harsh or set appearance by
using smaller and more graceful spe
cies, for as the grove grows taller they
hide the bare trunks of the tree, make
1t more impcnctrable and also liven up
the landscape. Such trees and shrubs
as white birch. golden willow. wild
plum, buffalo berry, high bush cranber-
ry, choke cherry, etc, will all work in
to advantage here.
They should be planted quite thickly
and some one o. the varieties predomi-
mating in each place, not using too
many different varieties in place.
Closer to the buildings we can use
those towering shrubs such as lilacs,
hydrangeas, spireas. barberrics. snow
balls and many other such hardy Spe-
cieS.
ClumpS should be made of these, also
using the taller growing ones in the
center where height Is not objectiona-
BILE.
Massed in this manner, first one and
then another will burst into bloom
throughout the season. They will show
off to greater advantage and are also
more easily cared for.
Irregular planting about the grounds,
leaving n broad, open lawn where pos
sible, will add much to the identifying
of the place.
A hardy vine may also be used here
End there to cover an unsightly trunk
If tree or other object. 1t may also
be trained to cover portion of the
house or porch with its graceful foil
nge, and hcrbaceous plants. perennial
and annual flowers can also be worked
in among the shrubbery and give to l.
n finishing touch by the surprise it af-
fords.
Tastes will differ much In the ar
rangement and extent to which some
varieties are used, but on the whole
there must be n basis to work on 1t
takes much thoughtful planning on the
part of the planter to obtain desired re-
SultS and II is far hpttpr tO 90 slow