ORNAMENTING HOME GROUNDS. 23 



crocus, hyacinth, lilies, tulips, etc. The gladiolus is usually set 

 in spring. 



HOW TO PLANT. 



In working with trees and shrubs, remember that a plant is a 

 living organism and is as truly sensitive to neglect or ill treat- 

 ment as is an animal. In handling nursery stock, always be 

 careful to keep the roots moist. When received from the nur- 

 sery the bundles should at once be opened and the plants care- 

 fully "heeled in." In case any of the plants are very dry and 

 withered, they should be completely covered with earth for sev- 

 eral days. In this way many plants which if set immediately 

 would die, may be saved. 



In removing plants from the nursery, many of the roots will 

 necessarily be injured, rendering the plant unable to supply the 

 moisture lost by evaporation from the leaf surface. Hence the 

 top of the tree or shrub should be severely cut back at the time 

 of transplanting. 



As a rule, a tree or shrub should not be set deeper than it sat 

 before removal and the hole should be large enough so that 

 none of the roots need be cramped. If the soil is not in good 

 condition, the labor of carting in good loam, in which to set the 

 plants, will be well expended. 



If but few trees or shrubs are to be set, it is well to use water 

 in settling the earth about the roots. In any case, tramp the 

 soil firmly and leave a slight mound about the base of the tree. 



If the season is late, or if the soil is very dry, the roots should 

 always be mulched. Any coarse litter that will shade the ground 

 will answer for this purpose — coarse manure, leaves, straw, 

 sawdust or even boards, will answer. 



ARRANGEMENT. 



The efifective arrangement of trees and shrubs is often a most 

 difficult problem. One of the first things to accomplish is the 

 screening of outbuildings and other unsightly objects. The 

 best plants for this purpose are evergreens — especially those 

 which appear best at a distance, as Norway spruce, Austrian 

 pine or arbor vitae (white cedar). It is not necessary that the 

 planting be done in formal belts or hedges. Irregular groups. 



