Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-07-22
TOWN IMPROVING IDEA
Suggestions For Arranging Home
Grounds Attractively.
HOW TO PLACE LARGE TREES

Not In Straight Lines, but In Groups.
Pleasing Method of Separating Back
and Front Yards-Best Place to
Plant Shrubs and Flowering ANIMALS.
Before building house most persons
recognize the necessity Of having a
| definite plan of the structure. Compar-
atively few people, however, realize
| the desira bility of planning the home
grounds. And yet the latter may have
quite as much to do with making a
home as the former.
Well laid out grounds also add to the
attractive appearance of town.
In a short article it is impossible to
give more than a few general princi-
pies. These if considered in their
proper relations to the situation of the
building and the character of the sur
roundings may lead to pleasing results.
The location of walks and drives
should be made a matter of conven-
fence. Neither the walks nor the drives
are ornamental in themselves; hence
they should not be more numerous
than the uses of the daily life call for.
Curved walks and drives are often
more pleasing than straight ones, espe-
cially where the grounds are large.
The curves, however, should be easy
and natural, not short and k1nky.
The home grounds may be compared
n
forms the canvas. with the house the
principal center of interest Viewed in
this way the house should not be hid
den behind too many trees, but should
at least have the front facing an open
stretch of lawn. Trees If planted near
the house are preferably placed at the
sides and rear so as to form q setting
and background for it. The usual
practice of planting several rows of
trees running from the front Of the
house to the street is only conducive
to monotony In effect, and, further
more, 1t is very difficult to establish
and maintain a lawn under such cir
cumStanceS.
The most appropriate places for
large trees are along the boundaries of
the grounds. The most pleasing way
to place them Is not in straight lines,
but In groups, with lower growing
kinds in front and toward the center
of the grounds. 1t is usually desirable
partly to separate the back of the yard
from the front. This is most pleasingly
accomplished by placing one or two
masses of low growing trees and
shrubs at the sides of the house and
| extending them to meet the masses
planted at the sides Of the yard One
or more openings should be left be-
tween the dividing masses of trees and
shrubs for free passages and for the
glimpses of the farther parts Of the
grounds A stronger maSsing of trees
and tall shrubs may be used in the
proper position to shield the house
from the prevailing winds. By using
variety of trees with tall shrubs next,
smaller ones in front, most effective
windbreak may be formed, and by
planting the latter in irregular groups
a more pleasing effect is possible than
where all are placed in formal rows.
Wherever fine views Of the distances
are in danger of being shut off open
! ings should be left or made to retain.
them, especially such views as may be
seen from pOrches and living room
windows. Evergreen trees are most
desirable on the north and west, be-
cause of their effective Withdrawing
qualities in winter. They are not suit
| able trees for the south side Of house
or in front of windows. In winter the
sunshine should be given a free chance
! to enter the windows and thereby
greatly add not only to the cheerful
ness Of the rooms, but also to the low
ering Of the fuel bill.
The smaller shrubs and Towering an
nuals are best placed in the corners by
the porches, along the base of the
house wall and in front of the larger
plants at the sides of the lawn. Groups
of such plants on either side of the en-
! trance gates are usually very pleas
! ing Avoid planting single shrubs or
! bushes or other plants promtcuously
about the lawn. The pleasing, distinc-
tive character of place can be secured
only by leaving large, open places
where nothing but green grass is al
lowed to grow. If the whole place is
dotted full Of single specimens and
small clumps the effect is patchy and
! fussy where it should be dignified and
natural. Specimen plants, If used at
all, should be planted sparingly and not
set In the most conspicuous places.
| Flower beds cut out of the lawn are
best avoided. They break up the
stretches of green, are difficult to keep
in good condition and leave unsightly
bare spots in winter Such Towering
plants are not suited for planting In
! the front of the shrubbery borders
! and about the porches, but are best
kept in a flower garden at the rear or
side Of the house.-B. o. Longyear In
! American Cultivator.
Public School Gardens.