The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-01-30
Winter Shrubbery.

Attic present season of the year, country
and village residents may study the best means
to make pleasing distribution of shrubs about
their dwellings, to give an ornamental display.
The oldnOtion that all must be bleakness and
desoation amid the cold and snow of the win
ter months, has been dissipated by the success
full planting Of evergreen and berry bearing
shrubs in proper combination, standing with
in the taller growth of evergreen trees at the
boundary of the grounds. The contrast of
brilliant scarlet and purple berries, hanging
in dense masses against the dark green foil
age, always presentsa pleasing picture to the
eye.
The list of evcrgreens which grow as shrubs
and small trees has largely increased within
a comparatively few years, since so many
dwarf varieties Of the larger kinds have been
raised. There are dwarf hemlocks, dwarf
Norway spruce, diminutive arbor vite, and
several of some ofthe different species ofpines.
Besides these are the beautiful tree box,
dwarf mountain pine, the jumpers, ycw, and
the Nlugho pine, a dwarf variety of which
grows only two feet high. Some trees of the
red cedar bear thick MASSES of purple berries,
and if these can be chosen to plant on the
borders ofdoor-yards they combine the two
desirable qualities of berry bearers and dark
green foliage.
There are some shrubs and small trees
which bear scarlet or crimson berries, some
OF which, as the mountain ash, last only
through autumn. The snowberry gives fine
display ofpure white through the same season.
But of those which last into winter, and which
are the particular object of our present re-
marks, the Primes eertcihttuS sometimes called
black alder is one of the most ornamental. 1t
bears profuson ofdeep scarlet berries, which
last well through winter Its native localities
are muck swamps, where by selecting the best
bearers and removing to cultivated uplands,
they grow well and give brilliant display
The CehtstrUs ScdRdenS lone of the several
plants known rs bitter sweet opens its orange
pods late in autumn, and brings out its clus-
tiers of light scarlet berries which continue
through the first half of winter or longer
Trained asa climber its beauty is not dimin-
lshed because it is so common. One of the
finest ofal early winter berries is the species of
Eu0nynaus known as the burning bush, which
is nearly allied to the Celastrus last Named
Good specimens present scarlet blaze when
loaded with fruit The common barbcrry
bears racemes of scarlet berries and the purple
variety purple berries, which hang through
winter into spring.
There are several other kinds which might
be added, and which the interested cultivator
will not omit. We mention the above to
show what may he done to give beauty in the
depth of winter to the surroundings of the
home.
GRAPE VINEs-WHEN TO PRUNE THEM
Early in spring, before the frost is out ofthe
ground, is the time to prune grape vines for
| the reason that they will not bleed then
Shade trees, especially naples ofevery species.
should not be pruned at this season, as they
bleed. All maple sugar makers know this
| to be the season to tap the sap from the
maplcan convert it into sugar or syrup
| There can be but one reason urged against
summer pruning of shade or fruit trees, and
that is when the tree must be climbed.
The weight of a man on a limb will spring
the bark loose from the limb Immediately and
cause a black place on the limb; but when
trimming can be done from ladder or from
the ground, the latter part of May or in June
is a good time to do it; or even up to the last
of August. The cut will at that time grow
| quick and prevent the same from taking air
or water.
Uses OF SooT IN TIE GARDEN.--Soot is
valuable for the ammonia which it contains
and also for its power of re-absorbing am
monia. The creosote it contains is valuable
| as an insect destroyer and as fertilizer of
all garden crops. If the soil is dry, little
common household salt may be mixed with
SCOT. Lime and SCOT should never be mixed
together; lime destroys the ammonia. SCOT
that has been stepped in water for two or
three days is as good fertilizer as horse-hoof
parings for house plants, and increases the
vividness of the bloom of flowers in the open
air SCOT and salt in connection with COM
post-one quart of salt to six quarts of SCOT
is an excellent fertilizer for asparagus,
onions, cabbage, sc. Two bushels of com
post makes heavy dressing for each square
rod of ground, to be worked into the surface
! Of tho coil -EnlIe,Jiu1 Illustrated