36 STfje CKartretv'st 



grance ; the large-flowered and changeable hy- 

 drangea ; the dwarf and golden-leaved syringas, 

 or mock-orange ; the double-flowering Prunus ; 

 the spiraeas in variety ; the fragrant Ribes, or 

 yellow flowering currant ; some of the small- 

 er lilacs ; the dwarf sweet-scented Magnolia 

 Halleana ; the Exochorda, the Daphne meze- 

 reum, the variegated dogwood, the white Wei- 

 gela, the purple-leaved plum, the cut-leaved su- 

 mac, the golden, fern-leaved, and cut-leaved elder. 

 Such strong-growing subjects as the For- 

 sythias, the large magnolias, the snow-ball, and 

 the lilac are apt to domineer over their compan- 

 ions. If possible, they should be placed by 

 themselves where they may have abundance of 

 room to develop their full beauty. Even with 

 most of the less robust examples I have enumer- 

 ated, the pruning-knife must be applied at the 

 proper season, to keep them shapely and within 

 bounds. It should always be remembered that 

 each shrub has its characteristic habit of growth. 

 This should be retained, so far as possible. To 

 trim all shrubs alike, is to ruin their beauty and 

 mar their natural grace of outline. Judicious 

 pruning, to promote health and vigor, is neces- 

 sary. Old growth requires thinning out occa- 

 sionally, and obtrusive root-sprouts and suckers 

 need to be removed. Althaeas, spiraeas, lilacs, and 



