LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 11 



deep tillage stould cease, because, by pursuing it, constant and 

 continued checks are given, and a truly healthy growth 

 prevented by repeated breaking and tearing asunder the roots 

 and fibers, the supplying pipes for elongation, expansion and 

 evaporation of the branches and leaves. By repeated surface 

 stirring of the soil, however, no roots are broken ; the sun, air 

 and moisture are enabled to penetrate and assist in the chemical 

 transmutation of the earth's compounds, and fitting them for 

 absorption by the roots. 



Protect the Crowns of Trees. — Experience is a good teacher, and 

 ,it has taught us that the action of severe frosts, followed by 

 rapid thaws on the surface roots and crowns of trees, creates 

 very great injury, often resulting in death. We have known 

 trees healthy on approach of winter, and the same when dug in 

 spring ; we have found them with all the top and the lower 

 roots uninjured, but the Crown and surface roots entirely 

 blackened and dead. This is often a result with grape-vines— in 

 fact, we have seen hundreds of vines exhibit this condition. 

 During the past autumn we have repeatedly urged the earthing 

 up to the crowns of trees and plants, with a view to prevention 

 • of this result We now say, look over your trees carefully, and 

 if you have not turned the earth toward them, thus covering the 

 surface roots and crowns two or three inches deeper than their 

 position during the growing season, you should now do it by a 

 mulch of SQme sort. In the forest. Nature herself performs this 

 act by the dropping of the leaves; but in the open ground, 

 unless the trees stand in turf, and the fall growth of grass is left, 

 no such protection is had. Surface-rooting plants, such as the 

 quince. Paradise apple, etc., and all newly-planted vines or 

 plants, suffer greater injury, because of the greater number of 

 ■ surface roots than older, or stronger rooted plants ; but all are 

 ' affected, and the severity of the winter and number of changes 

 of frost and thaws will tell the result the next season — sometimes 

 in enfeebled growth, sometimes in complete death. 



Pruning Trees in Spring. — When pruning trees in the spring, 

 remember that for every bud or inch of wood you cut away, two 

 more will be formed ; and if you do not so cut as to throw the 



