428 
“THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Shard-borne Beetle—continued. 
The Beetle to which the name is most frequently given 
is one known also by other names, such as Dor- Beetle. 
Its scientific name is Geotrupes stercorarius, and signifies 
“Dung-loving Earth-digger,” a name very well chosen, in 
Fic. 483, SHARD-BORNE BEETLE. 
allusion to the habits of the insect The Beetle (see Fig. 
483) is usually about lin. long, and is oblong and heavy 
in form. It is nearly black, or dark violet, or metallic- 
blue or green. The wing-cases are grooved lengthwise. 
The Beetles are abundant throughout Britain, flying 
heavily and clumsily in summer evenings, and often 
striking against people in their flight. The females are 
in search of dung of cattle or of other large animals. 
If dung is found, the Beetles burrow through it to the 
ground; and there they dig “tunnels,” about 1ft. long, 
straight downwards. Into each tunnel they push a ball 
of dung, and lay an egg in the ball. The young grub is 
thus provided with dung as food; and in the tunnel it 
- grows and becomes a pupa, and then a beetle, which 
emerges, and provides in like manner for its own progeny. 
All “Dung-Beetles” are harmless, if not actually useful 
in gardens, on account of their habits. 
SHAREWORT. A common name for Aster Tripoliwm, 
SHEARS. Double-bladed cutting instruments, various 
kinds of which are required in gardens, some for trimming 
hedges, others for clipping grass edgings, and others, again, 
for pruning. Hedge or hand Shears are in general use 
for cutting Holly or Yew Hedges, &c.  Grass-edging 
-= Shears are provided with long handles, which workmen 
may use while standing in nearly an upright position: the 
form with a wheel attached for running along by the 
edge of the grass is not to be recommended in preference 
to the ordinary kind. Pruning Shears are made in several 
small sizes, for using with one hand to cut branches that 
are only of moderate dimensions; a form with strong 
handles about 3ft. long, sometimes called Parrot-bill 
Shears, is one of the most useful pruning instruments 
for cutting branches that are too large for severing with 
-= a knife or any other kind of Shears. 
= SHEATH. A part which is rolled round a stem or 
other body. 
SHED. A covered building, either inclosed or con- 
structed with one or both of the sides open. Sheds 
are always very convenient storehouses in gardens; as 
a rule, the covered space available for keeping things 
dry is far too limited. Tool Shed and Potting Shed, 
terms in frequent use, are self-explanatory. Open Sheds 
- usually have a wall at one side only, with the roof at 
the other side resting on upright pillars. These afford 
accommodation for keeping wheel-barrows and various 
tools dry, and space for storing pots and potting soils, 
preparing manure for Mushroom-beds, &c. 
SHEEP BERRY. ‘ee Viburnum Lentago. 
SHEEP’S BEARD. See Urospermum. 
SHEEP’S-BIT SCABIOUS. 
Jasione montana. 
SHEET GLASS. For glazing horticultural struc- 
tures, this is the Glass best adapted. It may be obtained 
A common name for 
small panes, as desired. Sheet Glass is made in various 
Sheet Glass—continued. 
thicknesses, and its value is based on the number of ounces 
in weight which a square foot contains. Thus 2loz. Glass 
is more expensive than l6oz., as it contains the addi- 
tional weight in each square foot of its surface, and is,. 
consequently, thicker throughout. See also Glass. 
SHELL-BARK HICKORY. See Carya alba. 
SHELL-FLOWER. A popular name for several 
species of Alpinia and Chelone, and Moluccella levis. 
SHELTER. The value of Shelter cannot be over- 
estimated in connection with the cultivation of some- 
what tender trees and shrubs, fruit-trees, kitchen-garden 
crops, and flowers, and gardening generally. A site 
naturally sheltered is always preferable; but this is not 
always at command, and artificial methods of protection 
have to be resorted to. Especially is Shelter necessary 
from cold and unfavourable winds, and on the sea-coast 
from the prevailing winds and salt spray. Young trees 
‘and shrubs in nursery plantations may be effectually 
protected by planting hedges at right angles to each 
other, so as to form squares. These may be of Beech, 
Privet, Hornbeam, Thorn, Holly, or Yew, any one of which 
may be grown to the desired height, and kept trimmed. 
For sheltering valuable alpines and perennials that are not 
quite hardy, hand-glasses or bell-glasses are well adapted ; 
a little dry litter or bracken may be scattered over them 
as well during severe frost. Small hurdles, placed on 
the coldest and most exposed sides, are good for protecting 
‘some of the larger specimens, also for placing over half- 
hardy shrubs and trees on walls. A covering of Frigi- 
domo, or any woolly material, will afford a good deal 
of Shelter to plants in frames during winter, and this 
substance, or even ordinary netting, placed over wall-fruit 
trees, when in flower, will often secure a crop that would 
otherwise be lost. Branches of Common Spruce may be 
used with advantage for sheltering somewhat tender trees 
on walls, and for such plants as Tea Roses in beds, &e. 
For preserving specimen plants, such as shrubs, that are 
not hardy, some stakes may be tied together, so as to 
form a sort of hood, somewhat in the shape of an ex- 
tinguisher, and covered close down to the bottom with 
ordinary garden mats. This may be lifted on and taken 
off in winter, according to the state of the weather, 
and will be found to provide ample Shelter to the plant 
beneath. The necessity of providing Shelter is referred 
to under Garden and Seaside Grounds and Plants, 
and in other places where the plants described are in 
need of a specially-favoured situation. 
SHELVES. Boards of various widths, but generally 
about lin. thick, used for standing plants upon in glass 
structures. They should be painted the same colour as 
the rafters and other parts of the woodwork. Shelves 
may either be movable or fixed to thë framework of a 
stage, as in a greenhouse. A single Shelf along the back 
wall of a lean-to house, or suspended by irons from the 
roof, is often a valued place for growing small or 
medium-sized plants that need plenty of light. 
SHEPHERDIA (named after J. Shepherd, curator 
of the Liverpool Botanic Garden, who died in 1836). 
Syn. Leptargyreia. ORD. Elwagnacee. A small genus 
(three species) of ornamental, hardy, deciduous shrubs 
or small trees, natives of North America. Flowers diœ- 
cious, small, very shortly spicate or racemose, opposite 
the small bracts at the sides of the rachis. Fruit- 
| bearing perianth baccate and persistent at base. Leaves 
j 
| 
opposite, petiolate, oblong, entire. Two of the species 
have been introduced. They require similar culture to. 
Hippophae (which see). 8. rotundifolia, not yet intro- 
duced to cultivation, is a handsome shrub, peculiar to 
t . 5 | the mountains of South 
in sheets of great dimensions, for cutting up into large or | s. t vane tbs 
argentea (silvery). Beef Suet-tree; Rabbit Berry. : 
pea Jr. scarlet, edible, acid-flavoured. l. po ie Se t oh 
