Round the Year in the Garden 



are then glaringly conspicuous. They are scarcely less so 

 to the sensitive eye in high summer, for at that season 

 the pleasure of a garden is found largely in contrasts and 

 in harmonies of colour, which it is possible to create with 

 trees and shrubs, as well as with plants and flowers. 

 Whether one disposes evergreens with due regard to 

 their proper place in the garden, or arranges them primarily 

 for their value as screen trees, healthy specimens are 

 alone of any use, and these are most likely to result from 

 planting in September or early April. It is unwise to 

 transplant, or to form a new plantation of large trees of 

 choice evergreens, especially of Conifers ; even if the 

 greatest care is taken they are likely to deteriorate, and 

 there are few shrubs less attractive than a shabby ever- 

 green. Plants 2, 3 or 4 feet high are most suitable, and 

 usually give little trouble if planted in well-prepared 

 ground at the proper time. They should be thoroughly 

 watered the day before planting and immediately after- 

 wards. If the weather is dry, moistening the leaves daily 

 with a syringe or hose, and giving occasional applications 

 of water to the soil, will prove helpful. Should cold winds 

 prevail, some protection by means of a rough screen ought 

 to be given for a few weeks. 



Lawn from Seed. Although lawn grass seed is more 

 commonly sown in late March and early April than in 

 September, probably because most amateurs commence 

 their gardening in spring rather than in autumn, 

 I am convinced that September is the better month for 

 this work. Seed sown in spring may germinate well, but 

 the young grass often has comparatively warm and dry 

 weather to contend with, and is checked when it ought to 

 be making rapid progress. If this happens, and watering 

 by means of the hose early in the season is not altogether 

 beneficial, there is little prospect of a satisfactory sward 

 the same year. It does not follow that spring sown seed 

 will not prove successful, but I believe there is less risk 

 of failure from a sowing in early September. If the days 



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