FLOWER-GARDENING. 57 



and management of green-house, tender, and half-hardy plants 

 as well as to hardy shrubs and vines, it may be necessary here 

 to remind the reader that delicate roses and half-hardy woody 

 plants left out during the winter should be protected either by 

 bending down the branches and covering them with soil, or by 

 tying them up to stakes, and binding straw snugly around 

 them. At the same time throw some dung on the ground 

 about the roots ; the longest of which may be raked off on the 

 approach of spring, and the shortest forked in, so as to manure 

 the plants, and thus give vigor to their rising shoots. 



TRANSPLANTING DECIDUOUS PLANTS. 



Deciduous shrubs may be transplanted at any time after 

 they lose their leaves, and before the buds begin to expand in 

 spring, provided the ground can be brought into good condition 

 to receive them ; the holes should be dug capacious enough to 

 hold the roots without cramping them, and some earth, well 

 pulverized, must be thrown equally among the fibres of the 

 roots, which should be well shaken, and the earth trodden 

 down around the plants, until brought to the level required. 

 Evergreens should be removed carefully with a ball of earth 

 connected with their roots, and some good mould should be 

 provided to fill in with. 



The spring pruning of shrubs and vines should be attended 

 to before the buds begin to rise ; say March in the Northern, 

 and January in the Southern States. In performing this busi- 

 ness, use a sharp knife, in order that all amputations and 

 wounds be cut and pared smooth, and in a slanting mannei*. 

 Divest the plants of all dead wood, superfluous branches, and 

 those which cross each other. Regulate the plantation in such 

 manner that the natural form and habit of each plant may be 

 retained as much as possible, and train the branches so that the 

 sun can have free access to every part ; bearing in mind the hints 



3* 



