six] windbreaks and HEDGES 



moment, and said, "Sir, it honors the world." A 

 lilac hedge should consist of trees six or eight feet 

 apart. The suckers should be kept out very clean- 

 ly, or you will get few flowers and many stems. 

 The barberry should front evergreens, to bring out 

 the fine scarlet of its berries; as a hedge it is likely 

 to multiply deadwood, and for that reason must 

 be carefully trimmed twice a year. Set your hy- 

 drangeas paniculata at least eight or ten feet apart, 

 with weigelas alternating. The object, in all cases, 

 is to secure a profusion of bloom through the early 

 months, followed by as abundant flowers in the 

 autumn. For instance, your lilacs blossom in May 

 and June, while your altheas begin in August and 

 continue till October. 



The time for planting evergreens is the same as 

 that for deciduous trees. The notion that it was 

 advisable to plant in August has been entirely 

 dropped. Set your trees early in April, and plant 

 precisely as you would deciduous trees — only with 

 more precaution. Before digging your trees the 

 trenches should have been already dug. Make 

 these about three feet wide, and at least two in 

 depth. Fill the bottom with loose earth, not too 

 rich, and yet not solid clay. Saturate this dirt 



[121] 



