SHRUBS 207 



ation, whether conducive to the health of the plant or 

 not, and then feeling quite put out when the poor shrub 

 fails to come up to our glowing expectations. 



Shrubs appreciate a broad and deep hole, with the 

 soil at the bottom well broken up. It should be broad 

 enough to admit of the roots being spread out comfort- 

 ably, and deep enough to enable us to set the shrub at 

 least two inches deeper than it was before which may 

 usually be determined by the soil-mark upon the stem. 

 The shrub should be set firmly in the ground and the 

 earth well pressed down as it is filled in. A pail of 

 water poured into the hole when partially filled settles 

 the earth around the shoots thoroughly. As little delay 

 as possible in planting should follow the arrival of an 

 order of shrubs, and if the consignment is large the roots 

 of those waiting for attention should be covered with 

 damp burlap, and if very dry may be dipped in water be- 

 fore planting. They may be set out either in spring or 

 fall. 



Mr. George Gordon in his "Book of Shrubs" warns us 

 against a practice to which we are all too prone that of 

 buying very large specimens in order to secure an im- 

 mediate effect. He says: "Unless the circumstances 

 are quite exceptional and the nursery is within a few 

 miles of the garden, plants of medium size should be 

 preferred to those which have attained to large dimen- 

 sions. The latter are costly because of the large amount 

 expended in labour upon their preparation by the 



