NURSERY WORK 29 



should be sheltered naturally or artificially. Clipped evergreen hedges 

 are frequently planted to secure this end, such as of holly, privet, or 

 Thuya ocddentalis. But in most gardens some nook large enough and 

 sheltered enough can be found. The soil should be of a light rather 

 than a heavy nature, for it induces a more fibrous root system, and the 

 necessary space allotted for peat-loving things should have peat mixed 

 with the ordinary soil. 



The chief use of a nursery ground is to enable one to watch over and 

 encourage the growth of trees and shrubs from their babyhood until they 

 are big enough to fight their own battles along with the other occupants 

 of the garden, park, or street to which they may be consigned. A 

 nursery is also very useful, even if only of small size, as it affords material 

 for making good losses by death, or for extending existing plantations at 

 the least expense. There is always as well the peculiar satisfaction of 

 raising' one's own plants. 



When once the plants are safely established in the nursery their after- 

 care consists chiefly in transplanting, pruning, and training, all of which 

 questions it will be convenient to deal with as affecting hardy trees and 

 shrubs in general, whether in nursery quarters or not. 



