OCT.] FLOWER-GARDEN. 537 



Prune flowering Shrubs. 



This is a very proper season to prune roses, lilacs, honeysuckles, 

 and indeed all kinds of hardy trees and shrubs, whether deciduous 

 or evergreen. Let this be performed with a sharp knife, and not 

 , with garden shears, as sometimes practised. But to avoid repeti- 

 tion I refer you for further instructions on this head to page 157. 



All suckers which arise from the roots should now be taken clean 

 away, for when suffered to remain they starve the old plants and 

 prevent their flowering ; many kinds of shrubs, for instance the 

 lilac, will send forth great numbers of suckers from their roots, 

 which if not annually taken off will spread over the ground to the 

 great injury of your plants. These suckers, if wanted, may be 

 planted in nursery -rows, for a year or two, and will then answer 

 for renewing the old or for forming new plantations^ 



Forming New Ornamental Plantations, 



This being a very proper season for laying out and planting plea- 

 sure grounds, I refer you for general information on these subjects 

 to page 55, Sec. which though given in a month not favourable for 

 such work, in the middle or eastern states, I considered it a period 

 in which there would be leisure time for contemplating the designs, 

 and making preparations for the carrying of them into execution, 

 on the opening of spring. 



All kinds of hardy deciduous trees and shrubs may be planted as 

 soon in this month as they shall have shed their leaves ; the ever- 

 green kinds may be planted towards the latter end thereof, always, 

 but particularly for the latter, making choice of moist or cloudy 

 weather, if such should occur in due season^ 



In this place I think it proper to remark, that I always have had 

 better success in the planting of evergreens in general, when done 

 in the spring of the year, immediately before their vegetation com- 

 menced, than at any other season. 



The early part of next month will be an excellent time, to plant 

 all kinds of deciduous forest-trees, and flowering shrubs, Sec. that 

 shall not have shed their foliage before that time. 



For general directions respecting the best methods of planting 

 trees and shrubs of every kind, see page 293. 



Propagate Trees and Shrubs. 



Various kinds of trees and shrubs, growing in the pleasure 

 ground, borders, &c. may now be propagated by suckers, layers, 

 and cuttings ; but having described the methods of doing this in the 

 Nursery for March, a repetition is unnecessary in this place* 



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