22 OF PLANTING SHRUBS, &C. 



upon no consideration plant it while wet, rather defer it 

 until the end of March. 



Trees and shrubs, if they are well arranged, are the chief 

 ornaments, give the most pleasure, and afford the greatest 

 delight that we enjoy in our gardens. Although they give 

 no sort of nourishment, nor produce any edible fruits, yet 

 they are particularly grateful and conducive to our enjoy- 

 ments. Our walks in summer would be oppressive, but 

 for their agreeable shade ; in the fall and winter, we would 

 be left exposed to the chilling winds, but for the shelter 

 they afford. 



Likewise they produce a great variety of flowers, a va- 

 ried foliage, and are standing ornaments that give no great 

 trouble. In the character of screens they are particularly 

 useful, whether to hide disagreeable objects, or as a guard 

 against the weather ; or, if they are planted in masses at 

 a distance, they soon become agreeable objects, frequently 

 very much improve the scenery of the place, become ob- 

 jects of utility as well as ornament, and, in such case, 

 afford the highest satisfaction. When formed so as to ex- 

 clude offices from the view of the house, or for sheltering 

 the latter, or for connecting the house with the garden, 

 orchard, or any similar purpose, shrubs are both useful and 

 interesting. 



Where many shrubs are to be planted, the disposing of 

 them properly is a matter of considerable importance to the 

 future welfare of the whole ; and, whether deciduous or 

 evergreens be mixed or grouped, that is, indiscriminately 

 planted together, or the evergreens planted by themselves, 

 as is frequently done, a regular and natural arrangement is 

 indispensable for establishing ornament. 



Arranging, no doubt, depends very much on fancy ; still, 

 there ought always to be plenty of evergreens planted, that 

 the whole may be more cheerful in winter. 



If shrubberies were made to a great extent, the scenery 

 would be much more varied and characteristic by grouping 

 judiciously than by indiscriminately planting. 



However, in small flower gardens and shrubberies, the 

 latter has to be adopted. In such places, tall growing kinds 

 should never be introduced, unless merely as a screen from 

 some disagreeable object, for they crowd and confuse the 

 whole. The dwarf and more bushy sorts should be placed 



