PLANTING 273 



formulated half a century ago, they still hold 

 good in their scientific and artistic applications. 

 2. The habit of the plant is the next point 

 to be considered, and it is by no means an unim- 

 portant one. By habit I mean not only shape, 

 size, and general appearance, but also those 

 special characters which distinguish one plant 

 from another. It may consist in mode of 

 branching, texture of foliage, form of flower 

 head, colour of foliage, denseness or sparseness 

 of blossom, or time of flowering in relation to 

 leaf production (some plants, it is well known, 

 put forth their flowers before their leaves, as 

 the daphne, forsythia, etc.). It is only when 

 we know these details that we are in a position 

 to use the plant to best advantage. I have 

 already pointed out how important it is that 

 our garden plants should be allowed freedom 

 of growth to develop their individual characters. 

 Character in the plant is one of its greatest 

 charms to those who regard it not merely as 

 a means for producing blossom. In referring 

 to "freedom of growth" I do not wish it to be 

 understood that I condemn those necessary 

 pruning operations which make for the welfare 

 of the plant. I refer solely to the growing of 



