466 THE PLEASURE GARDEN. [FEE* 



be pruned of all dead branches, and of the points 

 of such shoots as have been damaged by the seventy 

 of winter. Roses, and several other kinds that grow 

 bushy, may be thinned out a little in the centre ; 

 and the stronger and middling shoots of roses should 

 be more or less shortened, in order to cause them 

 push shoots and flowers more freely. Several others 

 require the like management, which need not here 

 be particularized ; but most shrubs require nothing 

 further than to be pruned of injured shoots, strag- 

 gling branches, or of suckers that rise round the 

 stem* 



They should not be trimmed up in a formal man- 

 ner, as used to be done when Dutch gardening was 

 in fashion. The more natural the outline of the 

 plant, the better. Topiary work, and regular shear- 

 ing of shrubs has been long exploded, as being un- 

 worthy of a taste improved by reflections on the sim- 

 plicity and beauty of nature. In short, the prun- 

 ing of deciduous, hardy shrubs, should be done in 

 such a manner as not to appear after the plants are 

 again in leaf. 



Evergreens, and the more tender kinds, that are 

 apt to be much hurt in severe winters, sometimes 

 require to be so pruned as that it cannot possibly 

 be concealed ; which is a great misfortune, and 

 much disfigures these delightful plants. In order 

 that they may not be pruned unnecessarily, or that 

 the pruning may have to be repeated, it is advise- 

 able to delay that work till the end of March, or 

 first of April. 



