SHRUBS, HEDGES, AND HARDY CLIMBERS. 85 



ADAPTABILITY OF SOIL AND LOCALITY. 



As with trees and shrubs under all other conditions, the 

 different varieties used for hedges will only succeed under 

 proper conditions of soil and exposure. Thus the hemlock 

 will only succeed when planted in a moist cool soil, in a 

 cool yet somewhat sheltered location. The arbor-vitaes and 

 all other evergreens are also often seriously injured if 

 planted where exposed to extremely hot sun, heavy winds, 

 or where passers-by will come in contact with them when 

 frozen. The pines and spruces will grow well in light land. 



Most of the deciduous trees and shrubs used for hedges 

 succeed better in exposed places than the evergreens and 

 under more varied conditions, but each must have a suit- 

 able soil to grow to the greatest perfection. Almost any 

 soil may be so changed at little expense as to be adapted to 

 the needs of most kinds of hedge-plants. If the soil is too 

 light, liberal dressings of stable manure or other organic 

 matter will enable it to retain moisture sufficient for a good 

 growth. If very heavy, sand or gravel worked into the 

 soil will make it more light and porous. If very wet, 

 thorough drainage will remedy this defect. 



The annual dressing of manure or fertilizer recommended 

 for trees and shrubs should be put about the trunk of each 

 plant before the ground freezes, and all leaves and rubbish 

 that will attract mice or other vermin be removed before 

 the ground is covered with snow. No weeds or seedling 

 trees or shrubs should be allowed to get a foothold about 

 the hedge, and in very much exposed places a protection of 

 pine boughs during the winter will be found very beneficial 

 until the plants have become fully established. 



