List of Shrubs 323 



stature, which keeps them under the protection of snow, 

 nearer the warming influence of the ground, and more out 

 of reach of searching winds. Their habit of suckering from 

 the root is also of value, replacing more readily the lost stems 

 or parts. Indeed, when dealing with half-hardy shrubs, it 

 is often wisest to cut them down to the ground in the fall, 

 when the roots next spring will reestablish them. These 

 half-hardy species whose annual shoots are apt to be killed 

 back from one-quarter to one-half require in a northern 

 climate, such as that of New York or New England, or Can- 

 ada, sheltered situations or artificial protection to enable 

 them to stand the winters. A common method is to bend 

 them down to the ground, weighting them with stones, 

 when they will be covered by snow, and winter well. Con- 

 cerning this question of hardiness we refer again to Chap- 

 ter IIL 



The low, spreading habit of shrubs furnishes protection 

 to the soil, keeping weeds out, and reducing evaporation, 

 while their shallow root system adapts them to shallower 

 and poorer soils. 



Most shrubs are tolerably free from insect and fungus 

 pests, and, if they are attacked, are more readily protected. 

 They are, as a rule, easily propagated, but, to secure the best 

 persistent effects in form, foliage, and flower, the applica- 

 tion of the pruning knife is essential. Their more or less 

 ready response to this treatment makes them specially avail- 

 able for hedges or borders. 



Besides adaptation to climate, soil, and exposure, shade- 

 endurance is a i)oint of value in many, making them useful 

 as underbrush. 



Form is of less moment than in trees, as it can be more or 

 less readily corrected, but size is of importance, when group- 

 ing is attempted; for while some species may be kept down 



