SHRUBS 251 



PLANTING AND ARRANGING SHRUBS 



In preparing beds for shrubbery, spade tbe 

 ground to a depth of at least two feet, work 

 into the soil well-rotted manure, make it fine 

 and soft, and see to it that it will not suffer 

 from want of proper drainage. In planting 

 first examine the roots and, where these have 

 been broken or twisted in transit, cut off the 

 broken o-r injured portions with a sharp knife, 

 then, having prepared a hole amply large for 

 the reception of the bush, set it in at a slightly 

 lower level than that at which it stood before 

 it was lifted. This depth can readily be ascer- 

 tained by observing the marks left by the soil 

 on the stem or stems. Allow sufficient room for 

 the development of the shrubs, bearing in mind 

 the fact that they increase their spread as they 

 grow older, avoid crowding, and avoid also set- 

 ting them too far apart. Group them by plant- 

 ing the taller-growing varieties in the rear and 

 the dwarfs in the front, but do not aim at too 

 uniform an effect. Occasionally it may be de- 

 sirable to establish a round bed, although there 

 can be but little need for such an arrangement, 

 but if this method of planting is considered de- 

 sirable, place the taller-growing varieties in 



