The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1909-12-31
THE HOME GROUNDS,
Points on Beautifying Them With
Trees and Shrubs.
HOW AND WHEN - PLANT.

Selection Of Soil Very Important Con-
Observation-Disclosures of Setting Out
Shrubs, Trees and Plants So as to
Obtain . Pleasing View.
One of the chief features that add to
or mar the appearance and attractive
ness of a town is the condition of the
grounds around private residences. To
obtain the best results care must be
taken and good judgment used in set
ting out shrubs, trees and plants.
Those surrounding the house are anal
agous to the frame of a picture and
should be SO arranged as to give a
good background to the buildings and
help to present a natural view of the
place.
The soil in which the trees are to be
planted is a very important considera-
ton. II the soil is too sandy and grav-
ely, SO as to be deficient in plant food,
good success with trees will be him
dered unless the soil be well fortified.
On the other hand, the soil may be too
heavy, but this condition ear be over
come somewhat by the proper applica-
tion Of stable
A good loamy sell is conceded to be
best for trees and ornamentals, and in
some cases it would pay to haul this
kind Of soil to start the trees In.
The size Of the hole to dig for the
trees depends on the size Of the plant.
However, one rule can be ~given-be
sure to dig the hole large enough to
accommodate all the roots without
crowding them. Before selecting your
trees take a drive through the neigh
borhood to see what trees and plants
are already growing with success in
the yards OF your neighbours; also
write to you experiment station and
get it's list. From the two sources you
can make a list Of the ones hat would
suit your site best. Now you can go
to your nursery catalogue and order
your trees and plants with a feeling Of
assurance that they will grow If you
give them the proper care and atten-
ton.
In ordering trees do not select those
that are too large, because it has been
found that the best success has been
secured with smaller trees.
AL plants to insure the best success
should be transplanted during the dor
mant season, and, while they can be
set out in the fall or winter, spring
planting is preferable.
In transplanting do not place the
trees too close together or where they
will obstruct the front view Of the
house. Plant shrubs and ornamentals
In front of the trees, also near the
house, to soften the outlines, and In
the sharp angles made by the walks or
beds. To prevent shading Of shrubs
and ornamentals they should not be
planted too close to the trees. When
flowers are planted they should be
placed in front of the shrubs to finish
the background. 1t Is not a good plan
to cut up the lawn in front OF the
house by trees or shrubs. A few small
groups Of shrubs planted in the proper
places will break the monotonous out
lines Of the lawn.
After planting the plants they should
receive good are and attention. Plenty
of water must be supplied to them,
either naturally or artifcia1ly. The
soil should never be allowed to become
dry. The time to irrigate can be de-
termined by examining the soil. II
the soil around the plants cracks open
too much after irrigating the cracks
should be closed by filling with soil or
tamping it down. This should be done
until the trees or plants are estab-
lished.
Pruning the trees and shrubs should
be practiced only when necessary.
Plants should be pruned to give them
form, to remove extra growth and
dead branches. The natural form Of
the trees, shrubs and ornamentals
should be preserved as much as posi-
| BILE. Limbs removed should be cut of
close to the trunk to insure quick heal
ing Of the wound.-J. e.. Munden in