LITTLE GARDENS 



its new lodgment, earth is to be sifted over the 

 roots, then garden mold shoveled on and well 

 tamped down, by boot-heels, if other and less 

 usual implements are not convenient. It is sel- 

 dom that heavy manuring is required, because 

 the best shrubs for garden use thrive on soil of 

 coarser texture than is needed by herbaceous 

 plants, and root more stoutly for their own liv- 

 ings in a dry season. If flowers are planted near, 

 they should still be at such a distance as to avoid 

 entanglement with the bushes, for in such case 

 they would steal one another's substance and the 

 growth of each would be hindered. Severe and 

 yearly pruning is believed to injure the flowering 

 property of shrubs, and I have never done more 

 in that direction than to cut out old or gnarly 

 branches. The new growths will have to be 

 fought steadily, unless it is desired to extend the 

 range of the plant. Black currant and lilac, es- 

 pecially, are determined to possess the premises, 

 the former sending its runners under ground to 

 arise at unexpected places six feet away. It is 

 fiercely and insistently reproductive. 



The lilac does not put out these skirmishers, 

 but advances in sohd line of battle, sending up 

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