SECTION XXX 

 Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Climbers 



Although results are not so quickly attainable with trees and shrubs 

 as in some branches of nursery or market-garden work, yet once stocks 

 are secured and a supply maintained by a properly organized scheme 

 of propagation, there should be no difficulty in finding a market. The 

 development of garden cities and suburbs, the increasing practice of 

 planting trees in streets, and the growing desire shown by owners of 

 gardens and pleasure grounds, small and great, to utilize either flowering 

 or foliage trees and shrubs, are all indications of a demand that has to 

 be met. 



The scope and extent of operations by the would-be nurseryman will 

 naturally be largely determined by the amount of land available and 

 its situation. A site in the south of England, or on the coast, for instance, 

 will enable many subjects to be propagated and grown out-of-doors 

 throughout the year, whilst similar plants in a nursery farther north 

 may require a glasshouse for propagating and protection during the 

 winter. On the other hand, stock from northern parts has the reputation 

 of greater hardihood than that grown farther south. 



The best soil for a tree and shrub nursery is undoubtedly a good 

 deep loam, somewhat inclined to a sandy nature rather than too stiff. 

 Clay should be avoided. If a portion of the land is of a peaty nature, 

 so much the better; it will serve excellently for what are termed 

 "American" plants. At one time it was considered essential that peat 

 should be present in the soil to grow Rhododendrons with success. This 

 is not so; they thrive splendidly in loam without a trace of peat, and, 

 what is of great importance to the nurseryman, they transplant success- 

 fully from loam to the ordinary soil of the average garden. This is 

 more than can be said of those grown on peat. An open situation is 

 preferable, and low-lying ground should, as a rule, be avoided. 



A glasshouse one or more fitted with propagating cases and heated 

 with hot-water pipes should be available. Frames for inserting cuttings 

 and hardening off young stock from the propagating house will also be 

 required. It is also advisable, indeed essential in the colder parts of the 



country, to set aside a portion of the most protected part of the nursery 

 VOL. IV. i 46 



