PLANTING HEDGES 137 



steep slopes. When the roots are covered the side denoted by the 

 i arrow A must be deeper than the front or lower side, so that rain 

 j and other water will lodge there for the benefit of the plant. The 

 other plants may be put in at the foot of the mound as denoted by 

 the crosses B. 



Q. How should shrubs be lifted for replanting ? 

 A. If the specimen to be moved is 4 feet high, and the same in 

 diameter, a trench should be opened 3 feet distant from the stem, 

 bhe trench being 15 inches wide. From the trench work away 

 some of 'the soil, but lift the bush with as much soil as possible 

 adhering to the roots. 



Q. When should planting be done ? 



A. Planting may be continued, when the weather is favourable, 

 until the month of May. But the amateur should plant in autumn 



principal specimens, and stake, water, and mulch them. October 

 and November are the best planting months, though the work may 

 be continued during the winter in mild weather. 



Planting Hedges 



A well kept hedge is an attractive feature of any garden. Old 

 hedges may be improved, renovated, and made to do duty as a fence 

 fairly well, but a young hedge, properly planted, and carefully 

 trimmed afterwards, adds considerably to the general good appear- 

 ance of the garden, whether the latter be used as a flower or fruit 

 and vegetable garden. But too often sufficient preparation of the 

 soil is not practised, with the result that the plants put in do not 

 grow freely or form, at any time, a suitable fence. Strong fences, 

 such as those planted to form boundary hedges, should be the result 

 of planting Thorns, Myrobella or Cherry PJum ; the growth should 

 be stiff and unyielding, thus able to resist strong pressure. Hedges 

 formed of Privet and similar plants of a yielding nature are unsuit- 

 able, though they are often used. But for inner fences the latter 

 kinds of plants are certainly suitable and very ornamental. 



Q. When should hedges be planted ? 



A. Any time during the autumn and late winter months, but 

 undoubtedly the best time is the autumn ; then the plants get settled 

 in the soil before the drying winds of spring come. 



Q. How should the ground be prepared for the plants 1 



A. In replying to this question I will draw attention to the 

 Accompanying sketch, Fig. 1, and I should like to say that there are 



