The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-04-01
BY W. G. HUMMELL.
University of California.

"'oiueu III any plantlng are yet
OF such common occurrence as to de-
serve special mention and emphasis.
First of all, in the way of empha-
sis, the prominent lines of the good
landscape should always be curved
hhes II possible, Exaggerated curves
leading nowhere are equally faulty.
Fences are to be .obliterated as
quickly and as much as possible in
the general effects. They should be
painted green, brown or dull gray and
never color that brings them out in
bold contrast to their surroundings.
Needless to say that the flower bed
Id the middle of the lawn is never
beautiful and frequently spoils COM
pletely the effects of an otherwise
good planting. When this is bor-
dered with bricks, stones, shells, beer
bottles, ETC., frequently painted a
dazzling white, the result is hideous.
The same structure in the middle
OF the parlor floor would be In Just
as good taste and no more unsightly.
The conventional rockery is another
mOnstrostiy of the same sort.
The proper surroundings for a
rockery are not easily secured and
nothing will save it from condemnat
ton, unless it appears natural to its
surroundings. A heap Of stones in the
middle of clipped lawn can never
be excused.
The little trellis in the middle of
the lawn over which some climbing
plant is expected to climb, but US
ually does not, is another objection
able feature frequently seen. Climb
ers should never be planted except
where there is something for them to
climb upon, as porches, walls, old
trees, fences or shrubbery
Plants with geometric forms, such
as jumpers, boxes and arbor vitaes,
pruned into smooth cones, vases,
globes, ETC., should find no place in
termingled with natural objects.
Plants of weeping or unusual habits
OF growth should generally be avoid
ed.
Lawn vases and flower containers
OF all kinds are usually undesirable
and In any case are rarely as effect
i've and satisfactory as some easier
and more natural treatment.
Planning.
The location of the grounds having
been determined, the next thing is to
make some definite plan on paper.
The house, walks, drives, fences, ETC.,
should be placed according to scale,
in keeping with what has already
been stated. II possible the walks,
drives and fences should be built and
the necessary draining and grading
done in the Fall Of the year. There
almost invariably occur some irreg-
ularities, as result of uneven set
Ting OF the soil, which may be elm
mated the following Spring before
planting is done.
The next thing to do is to locate
the trees. shrubs, etc. The location
and kind of plants should be indi-
Gated on the paper plan; first. the
trees, then the shrubs, followed by
the flowers desired
In locating these plants this state
ment should be kept constantly in
mind. "The completed planting
SHcuiu TtpItSeut d lidihSu PiNtuiS'
the house is the picture. the grass is
the canvas and the trees and shrub
berry represent the frame" Trees
and high growing shubbers, there
fore, have no place in front of the
house, because they hide the pic
ture." Streaks and blotches in the
way of walks, flower beds, etc, have
no place in the foreground of the pic
ture because they receive the first
notice and withdraw our attention
from that which we wish to set off to
the best advantage.
There are of necessity some un-
slightly objects about the house,
Barns. outbuildings, stoclyards, etc,
should be screened from direct view
from the porches and principal win
dows At the same time there Is
often some beautiful outlying seem
cry beyond the grounds themselves,
as a river or range of hills, view
of which the trees and shrubs should
not shut off.
It should be remembered too, that
the grounds are for the pleasure and
enjoyment of the people living there
and not entirely for the benefit of
the passerby. With this in mind,
the outlook from the rear of the
house should be made as beautiful
and attractive as that from the front.
The good housewife and her assist
ants will spend one-half or more of