CHAPTER V. 



SHRUBS. 



To the formation and arrangement of shrubberies I 

 will refer my readers to the remarks on " Laying out 

 a Garden," page 5. 



The transplanting season for all plants, as previously 

 mentioned, is from the middle of January to the middle 

 or end of March ; but the first or second week in 

 February is the best time for the removal of choice 

 specimens. 



Previous to the shifting of the shrub, the ground 

 should be as dry as possible, in order to prevent the ball 

 of earth round the roots from breaking, and a trench 

 2ft. wide should be dug round the plant, leaving 

 the ball of earth and roots in the centre. Any roots 

 that project out should be cut off with a sharp knife, 

 and when a sufficient depth has been attained, the ball 

 should be carefully undermined with a trowel. When 

 the soil has been dug out half-way, a piece of strong 

 canvas or matting, about a metre and a half square, 

 should be half rolled up and placed under the ball, and 

 with a little pressure the plant will heave over, and 

 the canvas can then be drawn through, tied round, and 

 the plant carefully lifted out and carried to the place 

 required, where the hole should have previously been 

 dug to receive it. 



, When planting, see that the shrub is perfectly 

 upright, and have the neck of the plant level with 

 the surface ; untie the canvas, and let it fall round 

 the bottom of the roots, as t the ball may be broken, 



