246 MAEY'S GAEDEN AND HOW IT GEEW 



"But you told me we ought to prune after the 

 shrubs had blossomed," said Mary. 



"I did," said Herr Trommel, promptly. 



"And now you say to cut back before it blossoms," 

 she complained. 



"Yes," he repeated, unmoved. "It is not often 

 that a rule is always so." 



"Gardening is very distracting at times," sighed 

 the president of the Horticultural Club. 



"No, no ! it is very simple. When it is living 

 comfortably at home, is ' established, ' we say, then 

 we prune the shrub, or the tree, as I showed you ; 

 we just cut back a little and take away the pretty 

 dresses when the shrub is done with them. Yes ! 



"Now, if you move a young tree when it is in leaf, 

 that is another thing. Its plans are upset. It has all 

 the little budding leaves to take care of, and they 

 must have food, and yet the roots that are not at 

 home in the new place do not yet know where to find 

 something to eat. Now, which is better : that the 

 little tree put out all the leaves it can, or that it first 

 find food ? The bread and butter, or to look pretty ? 

 Which should come first!" he demanded, fixing his 

 spectacles on Eandolph Findiayson, who had been 

 listening intently. 



