48 FLOWER-GARDEN OF PLANTING SHRUBS, &c. [FEBRUARY. 



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OF PLANTING SHRUBS, &c. 



As soon as the frost is out of the ground, these 

 should be planted if the soil is not too wet. Where 

 soil is binding, upon no consideration plant in it while 

 wet, rather defer it until the end of March. 



Shrubs, if they are well arranged, are the chief orna- 

 ment, give the most pleasure, and afford the greatest 

 delight that we enjoy in our gardens. Although they 

 give no sort of nourishment, nor produce any edible 

 fruits, yet they are particularly grateful and conducive 

 to our enjoyments. Our walks in summer would be 

 oppressive, but for their agreeable shade; in the fall 

 and winter, we would be left exposed to the chilling 

 winds, but for the shelter they afford. 



Likewise they produce a great variety of flowers, a 

 varied foliage, and are standing ornaments that give 

 no great trouble. In the character of screens they are 

 particularly useful, whether to hide disagreeable ob- 

 jects, or as a guard against the weather; and for either 

 of these purposes, they can be planted nearer to the 

 house than large trees. Or, if they are planted in 

 masses at a distance, they soon become agreeable ob- 

 jects^ frequently very much improve the scenery of the 

 place, become objects of utility as well as ornament, 

 and, in such case, afford the highest satisfaction. 

 When formed so as to exclude offices from the view of 

 the house, or for sheltering the latter, or for connect- 

 ing the house with the garden, orchard, or any similar 



purpose, shrubs are both useful and interesting. 



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