The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-19

cor assumption, she found herself alone
with her two little daughters, and very
meager estate. Her method of begin
ming was to watch the papers 10 ascer-
tain where government or state appropri-
ations had been made for identifying
grounds, or even for erecting buildings
She would then go to the town or city
indicated, look up superintendent and d.
rectors, and ask the privilege of sub
hitting plans and estimates Aided by
the reputation of her husband and forti-
fed with indomitable pluck, she met with
success from the start. Her first work
making a hit, she was passed along with
a good word from the authorities, and
never had to experience the dreary les
sons of financial embarrassment.
f2ffdal mlrco
The Back Yard Experiment.
In view of the limited opportunities for
professional training in this subject, Mrs.
MeCrea's advice TO those wishing TO equip
themselves for the work is to first secure
the best books upon the subject, and to
familiarlIze themselves with the funda-
mental principles common to all, and
then begin experimenting. Ones back
yard II only city lot Will do for the
first efforts. If this lot is enclosed by a
high board fence, one should begin by
painting that color TO harmonic with the
foliage. Against this should first appear
few high-growing shrubs like liiacs.
spirea, etc, the perhaps some that do
not grow quite so high, then something
still lower and so on, with a pleasing va
riety of low-growing shrubs and plants at
the base-always preserving a harmony of
color and form, while avoiding anything
approa ching a symmetrical arrangement,
one should also pan for an unbroken
continuation in bloom from spring to fall.
A distinct mark of the amateur is the use
Of variety, the professional contenting her
self with a few simple species that per-
fectly harmonize, and so arranged as to
give the effect desired. A good course in
drawing and designing is recommended by
Mrs. McCrea as being of inestimbale value
when one comes 10 the work of submit
ting plans for parks or any considerable
public or private grounds. In her own
work, Mrs. McCreas whole aim is to keep
close to nature, carefully stunning any
suggestion of the artificial and reproduc-
ing wherever she can ideal naIuI al
rusticity. She always has her sketch book
with her, and whenever see sees a charm
ing effect in nature-a grouping of trees
or bushes, shaded bank or veTdant up
land. she makes a little sketch of ii for
possible reproduction In her special line OF
work.
The knowledge Required.
Among the first requisites to success in
this work from the practical side, is to
add 90 a thorough understanding of the
requirements of plants and trees, an ex-
pert knowledge of soil. In order TO grow,
plant must always be surrounded by
It's native conditions. You cannot for in
stance, take a plant thaS has been grown
in clay and expect II to live. II trans
planted to a sandy soil. The making
q a ri IA In IA oh tn,
plant or tree, IS, therefore, a matter Of
the first importance. Mrs. McCrea has
become as sensitive TO soil as most Wo-
men are 10 flowers, and says that she
can never pass a bit of good earth on the
roadside. without wanting 10 pick II up
and carry it home with her. II is in
deed through this knowledge that she
hopes to save the city a large amount in
the annual loss of it's trees. Illustrative OF
this point, she cites a circumstance that
once came under her personal observa-
zion IN Chicago number Of young
trees had been purchased for one Of the
parks, and wagonloads Of street sweep
ings had been reserved 10 put over the
roots on the supposition that this refuse
material would be particularly good as q
/ fertilizer.
Now they mgha just as well have put
! Hive Goals OF fire on those tender little
roots" remarked Mrs. McCrea "they
could not work more deadly results than
the carbonic acid gas generated from the
/ street swcepings. Thousands OF trees die
every year from just this kind OF treat
ment. no one knows why, and the grower
who CHANGED 10 cell the trees is usually
blamed. whole carloads Of black dirt are
frequently brought IN from the country,
IN which there Is not a handful OF
/ color and does not necessarily indi-
cate richness. although frequently. OF