Evening star., 1938-10-22

in pail of water or even to bury the
entire bush for few days until 1t
can absorb moisture).
Having obtained the shrubs and
brought them home, it is time to dig
the beds or holes in which to plant
them. There are few rules that
should be observed here-although
every nursery catalogue carries them
and many nurseries have them print
ed on their shipping tags. They are:
l. Dig the hole large and deep
do not cramp the roots to get
them into the hole.
2. Put good soil into the hole,
but not fertilizer.
3. Work the soil in among the
roots and tamp it firmly 50 as to
avoid air pockets.
4. After filling the hole and
tamping the dirt, soak it thoroughly
with water.
5. After the water has soaked
into the ground mulch with dry
dirt or humus.
g. If a large shrub or tree, it
should be braced.
These are old rules that experience
has shown to be important in the sue
cessful planting of woody plants. OF
course, there are exceptions to them
that many qualified workmen make.
Oftentimes gardeners will work fer.
tilizer and manure into the subsoil
before planting. That is a very good
practice when there is layer of clean
SOIL between the fertilizer and the
roots. The rules do not mention the
cutting back of the branches to COM
pensate for loss of roots. Most nur-
serymen, however, are very careful to
prune the tops back for this reason.
The farther they are cut back the
more quickly will the tree or shrub
make a strong, vigorous growth. COL
lected shrubs and trees should be
pruned back at least one-half.
X x X
some people are prone to say that
there are too many spireas, forsythia
ana hydrangeas-that they are over
planted. Perhaps there is a bit too
much OF the sameness in the plant
lngs In our yards and gardens, but
those same spireas, etc, do we'll and
thrive with only ordinary care. For
the beginner they are most desirable.
After ne or she has. learned to care
Tor them, then it is time to consider
other kinds or varieties. The main
consideration is to get things that will
live and thrive in a particular situa-
tion. Few shrubs or trees will do we'll
In both sun and shade. So it is with
wet or dry situations. For most ef-
fective results it is desirable to make
selections from those kinds or va
rletles which are adapted to your
requirements. Then, too, il they are
to look we'll the habit Of growth should
be such as to fit the place in which
they are to be used. It is wise to
avoid using tall-growing or wide
spreading shrubs on a small lot. They
make the house look small and the
lot seem crowded.
In the front yard, at least, shrubs
and trees are used as q framework
and setting for the house. Choose
them, therefore, so that they add to
and embellish. rather than obscure,
or take the eye away from the house.
For quick effect shrubs are usually
planted much thicker than they can
be expected to grow and thrive. After
few years as they begin to be
crowded they can be thinned and will
continue to grow and improve If
left in an overcrowded condition they
will not retain the desirable vigor.
Foundation paintings should be set
at least feet from the WALL and 3
feet is much better. In preparing the
hole for shrub in the foundation
group an effort should be made to
include generous quantity of humus
to retain moisture. This extra humus
is particularly important where there
are wide overhanging caves, or where
the soil is sandy and does not retain
moisture.