XVI. 

 AFTER-TREATMENT. 



S everything in a garden is subject to constant 

 change, brought about by growth or decay, it 

 is necessary to watch every development with 

 jealous care, and either to check or encourage 

 the growth of individual plants as circumstances may 

 warrant. As the trees increase in size, many of the 

 weaker individuals are apt to suffer, no matter how care- 

 fully they were arranged in the beginning. Hence the 

 necessity of thinning and pruning, and the occasional re- 

 moval of too rapid-growing specimens in order to preserve 

 the grace and beauty of groups and other plantations. 

 When this becomes necessary, the offending object must be 

 removed without hesitation ; no matter how valuable it may 

 be as an individual tree, if it mars the beauty of the scenery 

 it must be sacrificed in the interest of the whole. But as a 

 rule very severe measures are not necessary in this respect. 

 There are generally many plants to choose from, and the 

 least valuable ones are removed if it serves the purpose 

 equally well. In many places a great number of trees and 

 shrubs are planted to produce an immediate effect, and it is 



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