TOWN GARDENING 195 



fence the shrub blossoms with great freedom until the late 

 autumn. Euonymus japonicus and its varieties, all evergreen, 

 are useful, and also of note are the Aucuba, Lilacs, the Sumach 

 (Rhus), Arbutus Unedo (the Strawberry Tree), unless the garden 

 is very exposed ; Rhododendrons, Laurustinus (in warm 

 sheltered gardens), Cotoneaster frigida, C. Simonsi, the sprawling 

 deep green-leaved evergreen C. microphylla, the Wistaria, and 

 the familiar Maple and its variegated variety (Ager Negundo 

 variegata). Hollies, Magnolias, common Barberry (Berberis 

 vulgaris), especially the early-flowering M. conspicua (Yulan) 

 are a success. We have also seen very healthy Yews, but as 

 a rule anything of this nature and Conifers are a complete 

 failure, soot or fogs clogging up the shoots and producing 

 suffocation. One of the most frequently planted things is 

 the Fiery Thorn (Cratcegus Pyracanthd), conspicuous for its 

 bunches of creamy white flowers in summer and its crimson 

 fruits throughout the autumn and winter. This should never, 

 however, be placed against red-bricked houses ; the effect is 

 distressing to those who pride themselves upon an apprecia- 

 tion of beautiful colour association. 



The aim of the town gardener should be to get away from 

 the eternal repetition of a few things. There is joy in variety. 

 Privet is repeated with sickening regularity ; the suburbs smell 

 of Privet, and a dead sense of colouring oppresses every one 

 who knows how bright and gladsome is the garden planted 

 with things that bring beauty to it through their flowers, 

 foliage, or ruddy fruits in winter. Get out of the well-beaten 

 tracks. Seek further afield than the local nurserymen, and 

 revel amongst the Thorns, the Lilacs, the Magnolias, and many 

 other beautiful families of trees and shrubs things that will 

 give a new beauty to the town garden. 



It is unnecessary to describe in this chapter how trees and 

 shrubs should be planted. The advice already given about 

 planting in general applies in this case, but the 



Soil will probably need more stirring up in the town garden 

 than in the country. Read carefully the remarks about trench- 

 ing, manures, and so forth, pp. 375-383, and carry them fully 

 into practice. A town garden when presented to the owner 

 fresh from the builders hands is frequently a sorry affair. The 

 soil has been denuded of its precious gravel, if it possessed 

 any, and is filled with brickbats and refuse of a miscellaneous 

 character that must be removed in the interests of the flowers 

 that are to follow in due season. It is labour well spent to 

 make a sure foundation. Trench the soil thoroughly, and if 

 poor, bring in plenty of loam and road scrapings. 



