A Continuous Bloom in the Shrubbery 



quisite bouquets when placed in dull green 

 majolica or similar holders. 



Very careful preparation of the ground for 

 shrubbery is essential as once planted they 

 usually remain undisturbed for years; for this 

 reason the earth should be dug very deep, under- 

 drained, if necessary, and thoroughly fertilized. 



After planting the ground should be kept cul- 

 tivated by hoeing or by the use of the scuffle-hoe — 

 anything which will maintain a dust-mulch, pre- 

 vent the earth drying out and caking and retain 

 the moisture. The success of the planting de- 

 pends upon this one feature more than upon any 

 other one thing. A plant insufficiently supplied 

 with moisture during the growing season is quite 

 certain to succumb to the rigors of the succeeding 

 winter — not, indeed, on account of the cold itself, 

 but the condition in which it entered the winter. 



The best season for the planting of all hardy 

 shrubs is early spring, before growth starts, the 

 next best, late fall after the foliage has dropped. 

 Altheas and white birch trees, however, do better 

 with spring planting. 



307 



