36 TOWN PLANTING 



by inexperienced workmen the operation has 

 disastrous results. 



Generally speaking, shrubs are pruned 

 with little or no consideration as to whether 

 they will be benefited by the operation. 

 While symmetry and regularity of outline are 

 to be admired in a shrub, these qualities should 

 never be gained at the expense of natural 

 grace and production of flowers. The judi- 

 cious pruner will, therefore, aim at preserv- 

 ing the peculiar habit of each shrub as far 

 as possible, while interfering but little 

 with the production of flowers. The various 

 species of Deutzla, Forsythia, Philadelphia, 

 and Weigela flower on the wood of the pre- 

 ceding year's growth; therefore such shrubs 

 should be pruned immediately after the flower- 

 ing season say in June, but never in spring 

 or winter at least, if the production of flowers 

 is to be taken into account. Again, the 

 various species of Syringa, Spircea, Loni- 

 cera, and Hibiscus may safely be pruned 

 during winter, the flowers being produced on 

 the young wood ; while Hydrangea paniculata 



