THE PRACTICAL FLOWER GARDEN 



woods in early spring before the young 

 shoots have started, or in August after the 

 shrub has finished growing. All evergreens 

 are improved by shearing, which makes the 

 foliage more dense and handsome. When 

 grown in hedges they cannot have too 

 much shearing; it makes the hedge thick and 

 prevents it from being '"leggy"; nothing 

 can be more unattractive than a hedge 

 where the branches begin a foot above the 

 ground. 



ABIES (Spruce, or Fir). 3 feet upward. 



A. ALBA (White Spruce). Of thick pyram- 

 idal growth with silvery foliage; very hardy. 



A. BALSAMEA (Balsam Fir). Our familiar 

 Christmas tree; very hardy. 



A. CANADENSLS (Hemlock Spruce). A hardy 

 native tree, splendid for hedges, but it is 

 naturally of open growth and must be 

 heavily sheared. 



A. EXCELSA (Norway Spruce). A beauti- 

 ful hardy tree, perfect in shape, with dense, 

 dark green foliage. 



