274 HOME FLORICULTURE 



of bushes in which all individuality is lost, and when 

 shrubs "run together" in this way, their dignity is 

 destroyed. To guard against this almost universal 

 mistake, we must take a look ahead. Think what the 

 proportions of the shrub will be when it has fully 

 developed, and plant accordingly, always keeping in 

 mind the fact that there ought to be ample space be- 

 tween. If you haven't room for more than one, have 

 one only. One good one, planted in such a manner 

 as to display itself effectively, will afford a great deal 

 more satisfaction than several inferior ones, such as 

 you may make sure of having if you plant more than 

 you have room for. 



The next thing to do after getting your shrubs 

 and deciding where they shall be planted, is to get the 

 ground in proper shape for their reception. Some take 

 a spade and dig a hole a foot square and about the 

 same in depth, crowd the roots of the shrub into it, 

 shovel in clods of the soil thrown out, tramp them 

 down, and call the job done. This is all wrong, and 

 the man who does it will have, as he deserves to, a 

 miserable apology for a shrub. 



In the first place, make the hole large enough to 

 accommodate the roots without cramping. In the 

 second place, work the soil over until there isn't a clod 

 or lump in it, mixing in, as you do this, some old, 

 well-rotted manure. Shrubs have to eat, like other 

 plants, and you must feed them well if you want them 

 to do well. Then set the shrub in the hole dug to 

 receive it, spreading its roots out evenly and naturally. 

 Scatter soil over them, and then, by lifting the plant 

 gently and shaking it a little, work this soil down 

 among the roots. After filling in enough to cover all 

 the roots, apply at least a pailful of water. This will 

 settle the soil firmly about the roots. Then heap the 

 rest of the soil about the base of the shrub. 



