CARE OP THE LITTLE GARDEN 91 



lime, about a pound to twenty-five square feet — these are the 

 things of first importance. Here, too is a practical point for plac- 

 ing a shrub which, taken from a group, may have one undevel- 

 oped side. Set the bad side toward the south and give it all possi- 

 ble sun and air; soon the beginnings of symmetrical shape will be 

 seen. 



For proper pruning there are certain general rules laid down, 

 among them, these: prune shade trees in early midsummer, tak- 

 ing off branches that are broken, weak, too low for passers-by, 

 or that affect the symmetry of the tree. With tree-pruning 

 the important thing is to make a clean cut as close as possible to 

 the main trunk and in line with that trimk. Then, when a large 

 bough is removed, paint the open wood on the trunk to prevent 

 any possible lodgment of water and consequent decay. As I say 

 too low for passers-by, I think, however, of the fearful devas- 

 tation to good evergreens — spruces, and the like — caused by 

 the man who thinks everything should be " trimmed up " ; and I 

 recall the experience of a friend who had a lovely curve of spruces 

 as a background for a semi-circular seat at the important end of 

 a garden walk. This friend left a new gardener in charge, and went 

 away for a day. On her return the spruces were shorn of their 

 lower branches for five feet from the ground. We cannot preach 

 too often or too widely against such treatment of innocent ever- 

 greens, especially in our smaller towns. There is always the spruce 

 miu-derer lurking there, and it should be the business of all good 

 gardeners to do away with him. The fact is that evergreens 

 should not be pruned. If seedling or transplanted stock has been 

 given plenty of room to develop from the start, no touch of man's 

 hand is needed on this type of tree. Small-tree-pruning can often 

 be done without the shears. I have in mind now a young copper 

 beech on our own place. It stands, imfortunately, too close to 

 lilacs, and this prevents its side toward them from developing as 



