The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, November 15, 1902, Image 1
SSSSSSSmSSSB13ES3E3IESHSSZmmSSSZSSSSSSmm vol. xyiir, no. xlv 5- J J" '1 -o . ",mi-?W&e" r f LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1902. BACK YARD MADE INTO BOWER , r . 1 t -V r ? - r - -.-s .5 ?i r st V - frf - ,trf tf j - ?i4 vtrtf -k f t ' tr .vT" . 5 - "" R v'bU - - -l !- ? --' WZ:"Vv&S .la?- i'? VIEW OP ALBERT W ATKINS' PREMISES. This is a picture of the possibilities Of floriculture in Nebraska and of a striking treatment of the rear portion of a lawn. The artist pronounces it the most effective display of flowers, if not the handsomest lawn, in this respect at least, in Lincoln the past season. Next to the gorgeousness of the flowers was the striking perspective. The front lawn was only lightly treated, and its compara tive openness contributed greatly to the effect of the rear arrangement and to the general effect. A great -and common fault is to overload the front lawn. The 'bed of cannas is thirty feet long; a greater length is out of balance in a lawn of 150 feet in depth. The border is of scarlet zinnias. These are, of course, for close inspection and this year they grew unusually rank, but in their rear position, from the street or the side-walk they gave the bed a remark ably handsome and probably not over done appearance, and- were the object" of admiration and pleasure to the passers-by during the season. The cannas were eight feet high and of symmetrical growth. Other varieties, which do not grow so large, have handsomer individ ual blooms, perhaps; but Albert Wat kins, the author and finisher of the lawn here pictured, thinks that for decorative purposes the kinds here shown may be superior to the later developed and shorter varieties. This canna bed has been reproduced some seven or eight years, always with success, and the se cret of success Is very rich soil and plenty of water. A mulching of partially rotted stable manure contributes to the richness of the soil but its greatest value Is to conserve the moisture. As a rule a canna bed should be kept well toward the rear of the lawn. The smaller oval bed was an experiment in mixed zinnias. They are very showy and hold a perfect form from June to July, but for anything but long distance use they are too obtrusive. The children's tepee in the rear Is of vines the Virginia creeper, until morning-glories envelop them later In the season. They were- gorgeously beautiful in the mornings. On the left were sweet peas, -which also grew eight feet high and gave blossoms of corresponding size and beauty all through the season. A great variety of old-fashioned perennial flowers and vines fill in and complete the details of the whole charming picture. This heavy treatment in the rear of the lawn is bal anced by less obtrusive shrubs and flow ers near the house and climbing upon it. The heavy glossy Virginia creeper, dis tinct from the vine of the same name and species found native here, envelops part of the house. At the front wistaria climbs to the eaves and the purple and white clematis appear in their season. These, with climbing roses, honeysuckle, and the winter honeysuckle, still per fectly green, keep up a perennial orna mentation along the east and front sides of the house. Crocuses, tulips, hya cinths, gladioli, lilies and dahlias make a complete rotation of flowers through out the season. The white clematis was a mass of beauty in October, after every thing else had faded. These details are mentioned merely to show the large range of beauty-makers which are available in our climate. But they will not Just grow as Topsy did. They respond only to the tender, sympa thetic care of master or mistress of the household. ESTABLISHED IN 1886 1