42 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



hollow round the stem, and as far as the roots extend, to hold 

 water, which should then be poured on in sufficient quantity to 

 soak the ground down to the lowest parts of the roots ; in 

 short, the whole should be made like a kind of puddle. 



" By this practice, whickLis particularly necessary in spring 

 and autumn planting, the earth is carried down by the water, 

 and every crevice among the roots is filled. Care must always 

 be taken to have as much earth above the roots of the plants 

 as will prevent their being exposed when the water has sub- 

 sided. The best plan is to take an old birch broom, or any- 

 thing similar, and, laying it down near the root, pour the water 

 upon it ; this breaks the fall of the water, and prevents the 

 roots from being washed bare of such earth as may adhere to 

 them. In this way time is saved, for the water may be poured 

 out in a full stream from the pail, a watering-pot, or even from 

 a spout or pipe in the water-cart or barrel, when the situation 

 is such that this can be brought up to the plant. 



" After the first watering is dried up, the earth should be 

 levelled round the stem of the plant, and as far out as the 

 water has been put on, but not trod. If the plants are large, a 

 second watering is sometimes necessary ; but in ordinary sized 

 plants, one watering is quite sufficient. And, after remaining 

 twenty-four hours, more or less, according to the nature of the 

 soil, the earth about the stem and over the roots should be 

 trod as firm as possible, and, after treading, should be dressed 

 with a rake." 



" The Situations in which the plants will thrive. With 

 regard to the situation in which each shrub should be planted, 

 little can be said here. To form a correct judgment of this, a 

 knowledge of the natural habits of each is required. This 

 knowledge may be easily obtained by referring to a botanical 

 catalogue and other works treating on the subject. Some 

 shrubs love a dry and elevated situation, and will not thrive, 

 crowded with others ; some are rather tender, and must have 

 warm and sheltered places ; others are very hardy, and will 

 thrive planted anywhere ; others, again, will not grow freely, 



