San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-02
PLANT TREES
AND SHRUBbERY
AR D j N D HOME
Residence Cannot Be Beau
tifuI Unless Grounds
Improved.
EXPENSE is SLIG H +
But Money Is Not Sole Oh
ject Of Life-Be Pub
lie Benefactor.
EXPENSE IS SLIG II 7

To complete the painting and make
the picture n real one. the proper
planting of the ground is just as nc
cesSary rs paint is 10 artists when
putting il on 4 canvas.
A home cannot be beautiful unless
the grounds are improved with trees,
shrubbery, flowers and grass. 1t mat
tiers not how expensive and elaborate
ly the house is built, other things are
necessary in order to make it beau
tifnl place.
Those who plant trees and shrub
berry and beautifv their home grounds
are public benefactorS. because such
beauty cannot be hid from the public,
but is open and free for anyone 10
view as often as they may wish. For
that reason. persons who plant trees
and shrubbery and change the home
from bare unattractive place 10 one
of beauty is in every sense of the
word. n public benefactor.
Shrubbery Remakes Appearance.
More and more of our people are
realizing that the making Of money is
not the sole object in life. As i'm
portant as it is, there is no use of
one making it the sole object. Let
it play its part, but don't let it
crowd out all the other finer things
If life, such rs the appreciation of
beauty. Beautiful home grounds is
something that all of us may have.
whether rich or roor, or have small
or large grounds. because it does not
take a large amount of money for
enough trees and shrubbery to re-
make the appearance of the home.
Every person who improves his
home grounds with trees. shrubbery.
flowers and grass influences others to
do likewise. There is something about
it that Is catching. When a neighbor
sees his friend remake the appearance
of his home by properly planting the
grounds il automatically creates de-
sire on his part to improve his own
GROUNDS. II is like the SNOWFALL that
is started down the hill. the farther
it goes the bigger it gets. Therefore
let those who improve and plant the
home grounds do the best job posi-
bic not only. for the sake of his own
place but for the effect it will have
on others doing this kind of work.
Shrubbery should be. as n general
rule, planted UP close TO the founda-
lion oe the house, particularly in front
and around the two sides. BY plant
ing it next to the foundation it has
the effect of tieing the house to the
ground. giving the house the appear
ance Of being q part of the picture.
rather than something stuck on it.
Never plant shrubbery in straight
lines. Put it in masses or clumps
and in irregular shapes. Try to APP
proach natures method of planting
as nearly as possible. Straight lines
Of IL. II.
purpose of beautifying the grounds
and therefore should never be planted
in this way.
Neither should individual specimens
OF shrubbery be planted about the
grounds. Remember that it should al
ways be in masses. Neither should
it be planted in the middle of the
grounds, but up next 10 the founda-
tion Of the building. near the border
of the lawn, in the angles created
by the walks and driveways, and near
trees. These general principles
should be kept in mind in locating
shrubbery on the home grounds. be-
cause one can make the ylace ap-
pear rather odd by Improperly locat-
ing the shrubbery.
Leave Space in Front.
As a general rule trees should not
be planted directly in front of the
house but 20 either side and in the
rear. If the grounds are large. the
trees should he planted in groups.
rather than singly. OF course they
should not be planted too close to-
sether,. as sufficient room should be
allowed for their complete develop
ment. Under no condition should the
trees be planted in straight lines. This
gives a stiff, unnatural effect that is
not beautiful or pleasing to the eve.
The rose beds and flower beds have.
no place on the front lawn. Leave
this space open, in order that a good
view may be had from the front Of the
house. Also the front Of the ward
should be largely free from trees and
Shrubbery 50 as 10 give the grass
every chance possible for developing
a smooth lawn. Roses should b. part
of the paintings on every home place.
but they should be either to the side
or to the rear, and never in front. This
is true of other flowers such nS
canna beds, rows of pcones. dahliaS.
etc. This. is the general principle
with reference 10 location Of flowers
that should always be kent in mind.
because the appearance Of the place
can be very easily ruined by putting
them in front.
~ keeping these simple rules in
mud, one can easily draw up some
pl,as for the planting Of the home
gre .nls that will be effective and
plea sing. Expert advice along this
line nav be secured from the State
AgricIirr. Colleges, Experiment
Stations and Nurscrymen. Make the
start now, by securing the advice
needed and by drawing up the plans.
indicating where each tree. shrub and
flower bed will be located Set them
before spring opens up.
IL the lawn has not already been
made, break the ground, make it rich
with stable manure and commercial
fertilizer and rake il over until ii is
smooth and in fine seed bed condi-
tion. Then plant Bermuda grass roots
which will give a good lawn during
the summer. Next fall SOW rye grass
on top of the Bermuda aud this will
give green grass during the winter.
Before planting shrubbery or trees
the ground should be thoroughly
broken and pulrcrized and enriched
This is especially important for the
foundation paintings up next TO the
house. A good plan is to spade up
II TO 16 inches deep with a spadng
fork. When trees and shrubbery are
set mulch with a heavy coating of
stable manure. This will both sup
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