Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 163, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1916 — OPEN CENTER A NECESSITY [ARTICLE]

OPEN CENTER A NECESSITY

For Appearance’s Sake Such a Plan for Landscape Gardening Should Always Be Followed.

It seeing quite difficult to get the masses to observe the most ordinary rules of landscape gardening when planting small places, though some of these rules are common to all styles of gardening and their observance so necessary to order that “he who runs may read.” The one great fundamental law which should govern all planning is the preservation of open lawn centers. Too many planters, having at their disposal but a small front lawn, usually bisected by a walk to the front door, feel it Incumbent upon them to plant one or two, or more large objects, often, very often, two large palms. Having thus planted, it is quite impossible to stand in the center of your landscape and view a fine variety of plants about you, as you should be able to do. Those who have lived in the Eastern States will recall seeing little openings, or natural “clearings” in the woods, of one or many acres. Though in the midst of forest trees, the floor of the opening is inviolate, not a tree upon it Grass and low, flowering herbs cover the floor, bushes about the edges; next, small trees, and then the woods or forest, forming a perfect amphitheater. Thus is the picture fittingly framed, and one may; stand in the center and see about him the varied wonders of local plant life.—Los Angeles Times.