The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-08-01

a wealth OF beautiful wild flowers and
many hardy ornamental shrubs that
boast of SNOWY flowers, richly col
ored fruits, leaves and barks.
One writer on this subject has said
Man must first provide for his neces-
stiles, then for comforts, and finally
for pleasures" The people Of the
western states have been busy trying
to secure the necessities Of life, and
a visit to some Of our farm districts
viii show how well they have succeed
ed. That the comforts of life during
the last five years have not been
overlooked, is attested by the number
of modern homes found in the rural
districts. The automobile has made
possible trips not only to nearby
towns, but also to the large cities,
so that pleasures are not neglected.
Settlers in a new country must
first provide shelter for man and
beast, and their first efforts are di-
rected toward the erection Of build
ings. As the country develops, there
is an insistent demand for civic i'm
provement that must sooner OF later
be heard and as truly needed
Village improvement societies are
formed, and a hurry-up call is sent
for some landscape expert to advise
and plan for the identifying Of the
school grounds or the city parks Pri-
vate citizens become interested and
there is a general attempt made to
improve the home grounds Many be-
come discouraged and fail, due to ig-
norance OF when to plant, where to
plant, and how and what to plant.
The first requirement in the beauti-
flying of the home grounds is the max
ing Of a plan. This plan should be
specific, and the product OF one mind
1t should be followed religiously and
changed only when circumstances
make it unavoidable.
The two great styles used in the
adornment Of grounds are the formal
and the natural. For small estates
the formal style should be used, but
for large areas the natural is more
satisfactory. The treatment to be
given the grounds having been de-
cided, map should be made locating
buildings, drives and walks, trees and
shrubs, and providing for vistas and
long perspectives-
In any landscape scheme the first
admonitiOn is to provide for open
lawns. Avoid scattered planting.
Trees and shrubs should be relegated
to the boundaries, the angles of the
buildings and the curves in the walks
and drives. Beginners usually make
the mistake Of planting gorgeous col
Ored plants at equal distances over
the lawn, taking great pains to I'LL
up the center. Such a planting will
certainly attract the attention Of the
passer-by, but it cannot hold such at
tention.
Plant trees in groups rather than
as single specimens, and mass the
shrubs. Pleasing groups are obtained
by using trees and shrubs in the same
| group. On large estates fine effects
may be secured by the planting OF
/ groves Of forest trees. Use number
/ Of different varieties OF trees and
! shrubs, provided the space is large
enough to permit of such selection
Paintings properly placed afford pro
| lection from sun and wind and pro
I vide screens for unsightly objects.
The problem Of locating walks and
/ drives is often perplexing. CurTeC
walks are more graceful and natural
but a straight walk is direct Fo
small places the drives and walk
should be straight This is particu