214 GARDENS PAST AND PRESENT 



them when there are any to spare, should never 

 be allowed to slip. 



Seeding plants, too, should be well looked after. 

 Where a very abundant crop is setting, the vigour 

 of the shrub or plant may be overtaxed, and it is 

 often advisable to remove half or even more of 

 the seed pods ; those that remain will ripen better 

 and the plant will be relieved of strain. Some- 

 times an overabundant flowering and seed setting 

 indicate that the vigour has already reached its 

 limit and that the plant is making its last supreme 

 effort. In this emergency, and especially in the 

 case of a rare or choice plant, every means should 

 be taken to perpetuate it. How many are the 

 vain regrets when it is too late and the old favourite 

 has gone beyond all hope of replacement ! In all 

 cases it is better to be prepared for untoward acci- 

 dent. A hard winter may come, unexpectedly, to 

 destroy the original stock of some valued posses- 

 sion, be it cistus, or veronica, or any other of 

 doubtful hardiness ; and then, if we have saved 

 seed or reared cuttings, we shall have reason to 

 rejoice in the fruits of forethought. 



Scarcely enough use is made in English gar- 

 dens of the trees and shrubs which are rich in 

 autumn colour. Now is the time to mark vacant 

 places, or dull uninteresting spots, that might be 

 lighted up in time to come by judicious planting. 

 How seldom in parks or large gardens do we 

 see grand effects made by the brilliant colouring 

 of scarlet oak or sugar maple, the crimson of mes- 

 pilus, beautiful alike in the snow of spring or in 

 autumn leafage, the vivid tints of wild cherry or 



