164( MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



be in the way of removing all weak growth, such 

 limbs as cross and rub each other and suiBcient inside 

 pruning to allow the sun and air to penetrate all 

 parts of the plant. Some plants, like certain spiraeas 

 and deutzias, make too dense a growth and it is often 

 a benefit to cut out the centers quite severely, but all 

 pruning of this class of plants should be done in the 

 early summer just after the plants are through bloom- 

 ing, as all spring blooming plants bloom on the old, 

 last season's growth and spring pruning would seri- 

 ously reduce the amount of bloom. Fall and mid-sum- 

 mer bloomers, on the other hand, should be pruned 

 very early in the spring, as these plants bloom on the 

 new growth. All dead or broken wood should be 

 trimmed from any class of shrubs, trees or roses. 

 In trimming large shrubs and trees all limbs should 

 be cut close to the branch from which they are sev- 

 ered, making a slanting cut parallel to it. Where the 

 limb is of much size the wound should be given a 

 coat of paint or grafting wax to protect it from the 

 weather until the bark has had time to close over it, 

 which it will do in time, if no stub is left. 



A good mulch of manure or rough litter in winter 

 will be of benefit to all shrubs and trees and of equal 

 benefit during the dry, hot weather of summer, but 

 it must be remembered that the roots of trees extend 

 outwards to an equal area with the branches and a 

 mulch to be effectual must cover an equal amount of 



