22 OF PLANTING SHRUBS, ETC. [Feb. 



left exposed to the chilling winds, but for the shelter they 

 afford. 



Likewise, they produce a great variety of flowers, a varied 

 foliage, and are standing ornaments that give no great trouble. 

 In the character of screens, they are particularly useful, 

 whether to hide disagreeable objects, or as a guard against 

 the weather; or, if they are planted in masses at a distance, 

 they soon become agreeable objects, frequently very much 

 improve the scenery of the place, become objects of utility 

 as well as ornament, and, in such case, afford the highest 

 satisfaction. When formed so as to exclude offices from the 

 view of the house, or for sheltering the latter, or for con- 

 necting the house with the garden, orchard, or any similar 

 purpose, shrubs are both useful and interesting. 



Where many shrubs are to be planted, the disposing of 

 them properly is a matter of considerable importance to the 

 future welfare of the whole; and, whether deciduous or 

 evergreens be mixed or grouped, that is, indiscriminately 

 planted together, or the evergreens planted by themselves, 

 as is frequently done, a regular and natural arrangement is 

 indispensable for establishing ornament. 



Arranging, no doubt, depends very much on fancy; still, 

 there ought always to be plenty of evergreens planted, that 

 the whole may be more cheerful in winter. 



If shrubberies were made to a great extent, the scenery 

 would be much more varied and characteristic by grouping 

 judiciously than by indiscriminately planting. 



However, in small flower gardens and shrubberies, the 

 latter has to be adopted. In such places, tall growing kinds 

 should never be introduced, unless merely as a screen from 

 some disagreeable object, for they crowd and confuse the 

 whole. The dwarf and more bushy sorts should be placed 

 nearest to the eye, in order that they may conceal the naked 

 stems of the others. Generally, when shrubs are planted, 

 they are small; therefore, to have a good effect from the be- 

 ginning, they should be planted closer than they are intended 

 to stand. When they have grown a few years, and inter- 

 fere with each other, they can be lifted, and such as have 

 died, or become sickly, replaced, and the remainder can be 

 planted in some other direction. Keep them always distinct, 

 one from another, in order that they may be the better 

 shown off. But, if it is not desired that they should be more 



