White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-05-06
BY M. D. ARMSTRONG
Extension Specialist in Horticulture,
State coIIene If waehinnton

Extension Specialist in Horticulture
State College of Washington.
| With the frightening of spring days
the fever of gardening is again upon
u.s. Among the things which call us
out of doors are the ornamental plants,
flowers and shrubs, which add so much
to the attractiveness of our Washing
ton homes and communities.
One of the surest indications of the
progressiveness, industry and spirit of
the people in any community is found
in the appearance of their homes and
surroundings. The great Lincoln once
said, II like to see a man that is proud
of the place where he lives, and / like
to see the place where he lives look
as though it were proud of him"
Unkept premises, with Uttered yards
and everything askew and implanted
buildings, unadorned by shrubs or
trees, are too often but advertisements
OF carelesness or a lack Of industry.
On the other hand neat, tidy premises
with buildings in repair and bright
ened by the planting of shrubs and or
namentals proclaim to all who pass
that he who lives there is proud of his
community and through his ambition
and industry he aspires to make it
more successful, happy and attractive.
Thousands Of home owners in the
Northwest have caught this spirit and
are striving to make their homes and
communities more attractive. Even
short trip along any of our highways
reveals the increased interest in at
tractive surroundings, but should not
more of this work be done? Are we
doing enough in this way to advertise
the state of Washington as a good
place to live, good place to bring a
family, good place to make money?
Washington is one of the most pros
porous of all states, and we who live
here know it to be most pleasant
place to live. We all admit, though,
that we could be still more prosperous
with more industries and more people,
One of the surest ways to get more
people into our state is to show them
homes and communities so attractive
that they will want to live here. Dur
ing the coming summer thousands of
tourists will be attracted to our state
as a place to live, if we but demon
strate to them how attractive Wash
ington communities can be made.
The first thought of many, when
home ground improvement is men
toned, is that of expense. The ex-
pense of such development need not
and should not be great. Simple
planting arrangements are generally
most effective and suitable. Elabor-
ate and intricate paintings are not ap-
propriate on many of our farms.
A few good shrubs and trees, we'll
placed, will make an astonishing i'm.
provement. There are many beautiful
native plants and trees which can be
obtained at practically no cost aside
from labor. Planting trees and shrubs
is one of the investments that increase
in value as it gets older, and it is one
of the best ways to increase the money
value of our homes and communities.
The essential thing is to have def
mite plan as to what is to be planted
and where. Many grounds have been
planted in a hit-and-miss fashion with
little idea of what the appearance of
the place would be when completed.
Each bit of planting should fit into it's
place and serve to make the whole pic
ture more pleasing when finished
Perhaps the first and most impor-
tant thing is the lawn itself. 1t is the
foundation and background for all of
the other paintings. 1t is much easier
also to make a good lawn before the