GOOD TREES AND SHRUBS 205 



slanting) fashion and trodden quite firmly at the bottom. 

 During dry weather occasional waterings will assist new 

 growth. Keep the beds free from weeds and the surface soil 

 loose. 



Budding and Grafting are subjects that hardly come within 

 the scope of a beginner's book, and many flowering trees and 

 shrubs are propagated in this way when there is no occasion 

 to do so. Whenever possible trees and shrubs should be in- 

 creased by seeds, cuttings, or layers, a very good method, 

 performed in a similar way to layering, advised for the 

 Carnation. 



SELECTION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST 

 TREES AND SHRUBS 



Abelias. There are really only two Abelias sufficiently hardy for 

 the London district, in fact, A. chinensis, better known perhaps as A. 

 rupestris is the only one, because A. floribunda suffers unless some pro- 

 tection is afforded during severe winters. A. chinensis (A. rupestris) 

 deserves careful consideration, for in the months of August and Sep- 

 tember, when it is laden with its small delicate pink, delightfully 

 fragrant flowers which hang from the tips of the current season's growth, 

 it is remarkably pretty. The flowers are serviceable, too, for placing in 

 vases for table decoration, as they may be cut with their own foliage, 

 which is small, glossy green, and forms an admirable setting for the 

 flower colouring. Look over the plants yearly, and remove worn-out 

 growths, and thus make room for young wood which should always be 

 encouraged. The soil Abelias delight in is one composed of peat and 

 loam, with the addition of a good quantity of sweet leaf-mould. Good 

 drainage is essential. No matter how rich the soil may be at planting 

 time, the plants are never happy unless ample drainage is provided to 

 carry off superfluous water. If the ground is not naturally drained, take 

 out soil at planting time to a sufficient depth, and throw in a few 

 broken bricks, crocks, &c., at the bottom, covering these with rough 

 turfy loam, over which put the made-up soil. Give water to settle the 

 soil about the roots. 



Acers (Maples). These form an important group of hardy trees 

 and shrubs. They come from North America, Japan, and Northern 

 Asia principally, and vary considerably in size from trees twelve feet in 

 height to those one hundred feet or more. The Maples vary considerably 

 in leaf formation, and in the manner of growth, some being bushy, 

 round-headed trees, and others erect, spreading, and even weeping. The 

 following is a selection of the finest for small and medium sized gardens. 

 No more delightful group of hardy foliage shrubs exists than the varie- 

 ties of Acer palmatum, popularly called Japanese Maples, and it is strange 

 that they have not been used more freely in gardens and parks. They 

 are regarded by some as short-lived and tender, but this is quite a 



