106 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
this way time is saved, for the water may be poured out 
in a full stream from the pail, a watering-pot, or even 
from a spout or pipe in the water-cart or barrel, when the 
situation is such that this can be brought up to the plant. 
“ After the first watering is dried up, the earth should 
be levelled round the stem of the plant, and as far out as 
the water has been put on, but not trod. If the plants 
are large, a second watering is sometimes necessary; but 
in ordinary sized plants, one watering is quite sufficient. 
And, after remaining twenty-four hours, more or less, ac- 
cording to the nature of the soil, the earth about the stem 
and over the roots should be trod as firm as possible, and, 
after treading, should be dressed with a rake.” 
The Situations in which the plants will thrive-—With 
regard to the situation in which each shrub should be 
planted, little can be said here. To form a correct judg- 
ment of this, a knowledge of the natural habits of each is 
required. This knowledge may be easily obtained by re- 
ferring to a botanical catalogue and other works treating 
on the subject. Some shrubs love a dry and elevated sit- 
uation, and will not thrive, crowded with others ; some are 
rather tender, and must have warm and sheltered places; 
others are very hardy, and will thrive if planted any- 
where; others, again, will not grow freely, unless they are 
placed in low damp ground; and others, do not flourish if 
much exposed to the rays of the sun. 
The kind of soil best suited for them.—With respect to 
soil, hardy shrubs may be divided into two kinds, viz. :— 
Jirst, shrubs requiring common soil; and second, those 
shrubs which require a peculiar soil. A rich, light, hazel 
loam, undoubtedly suits the greater part of this first class 
of plants, although many of the stronger-growing kinds 
will make fine bushes on almost any kind of soil. The 
“ American plants,” Kalmias, Rhododendrons, Androme- 
das, etc., etc., will make the finest plants and the best 
