The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-04-03
Flowers and the Home


ture and her fora beautiful. We give
our houses (or homes) as the case
may be, at least "once over" then we
turn to the yard, usually the front
ward, for few take great pride In
things behind the house other than the
early spring vegetable garden or =
few clucking hens. With the new
born inspiration we want to dig in the
earth, plant seeds and watch them
grow, and following perfectly human
inclination we want to feel sure of
some flowers.
The place without flowers, Only a.
cleanswept yard becomes only al
house" not home. Itmay serve to
keep off at least some of the rain, a
place to sleep and eat, and there the
attraction ends-there is no environ
ment without flowers. There are flow
ers that of<themselves bespeak the
nature of people who dwell within
hut more can be said about tie in
Vulnerable combinations, displaying
good or poor taste, improving or de-
tracing from the surroundings, I'M
der-done or over-done.
The landscape about home gives
the passer by very correct index as
to the occupants.
You start to make picture from
rature-of nature--the four marginal
lines are represented by your four
fence angles; in this frame is your
| home.
Fitting the landscape and its make
| up to the individual home is of rela.
tive Importance to fitting an indivd-
ual with clothing.
| A poor selection of flowers and
shrubbery tastly arranged will add
greatly to appearances, whereas 9
much more costly outlay improperly
arranged, crowded or overdone, may
have an opposite effect. There is an
even poise, balance to be observed: /:
you are making picture, placing the
fine finishing touches that lead up to
the central figure, the dwelling.
In practically every case the land
scape should lead up to the home, the
latter being in perspective as far as
possible; that is, the shorter growing
plants should be in front, the taller
ones behind.
| "a place for everything and every.
thing in its place." applies to good
landscape work. No spot is too small
TO be improved by some form Of plant
N grass, etc, none too large. The
writer has seen homes worth while
spoiled by a vcritable Jungle in the
front yard, enough skrubbery to plant
a large estate, each struggling for it's
existence against an opposing foe
perhaps massive oak. Nature likes
intelligent assistance and repays
many fold an opportunity well placed
A fertile soil, cultivation, pruning
and prevention Of insect and fungous
troubles are each factors in success
fnl landscAsang..--1,
The illustrated catalogues to be
had for asking are too wcll-filled with
good things to plant to require list
thus this is more for the general idea
of spacing and placing, and in thought
tends more to the small yard than one
of great size. The average small
yard is over-done, too crowded, moth.
ing seems to thrive as it should. If
the ordinary shade trees happen to be
in close proximity they will take ur
greedily the plant food nearby otter
to the exclusion Of the smaller things
In yard where such conditions pre-.
vail the shade loving plants can be
grown, even in tubs, pots or boxes pre-
venting soil robbery by the neal
reighbors. Many Of the fowerine
shrubs are too large for a small yard
but no yard is too small for grass
The touch of grass is eagerly OBJ
served in the picture and lends attrac
tiveness unobtainable from othc1
sources. Grass, it must be remcm
bered, requires good soil and moist
ure, and is much more permanent
other things being equal than othe,
small plant life. Practically speaking
success with grass lies in preparat or
# the seed bed and use of right mix
ture where combinations are desired
Practically everywhere ornamental
trees are planted too close to eacl
other so their individual beauty ant
symmetry is ruined in their early life
People forget that "big oaks from lit
tie acorns grow"
Comparatively few persons civ,
consideration to the wonderfully beau
tiful effects to be had (evcn in Il small
yard) from one or more of the artis
tic dwarf pines and cedars or othc,
cvergreens, which add to the attrac
tiveness of the place particularly ir
winter when the annuals are dead.
In conclusion, beware of the socalleC
reap seeds; they are dear at any
price. 1t is much the best plan tt
buy seeds in bulk, from reliabl,
dealer, and the few pennies differenc,
in cost amply repays the the outlay
and as is true in field crops, the care.
full selection Of seeds from best plant.