DECIDUOUS AND EVERGREEN SHRUBS. 107 
show, if they are planted in a soil composed for the most 
part of sandy peat; but, in the absence of this, a very 
good compost may be made for them of light hazelly 
loam, river sand, and vegetable or leaf mowld, equal parts. 
This may have a little peat earth mixed with it. After 
having taken out the original soil from the proposed bor- 
der to about a foot and a half deep, substitute the above 
mixture in its place. 
To encourage the growth of Shrubs after being plant- 
ed.— Whilst the plants are small, constantly keep down all 
rank-growing weeds, and clear off all rubbish that would 
otherwise retard their growth; also they receive much 
benefit by the surface of the ground being often stirred 
with a Dutch hoe, as it prevents the surface baking hard in 
dry weather. 
Watering shrubs,, except in peculiar situations during 
dry summers, appears to be of very little if any benefit ; 
on the other hand, it takes up much time, and is the 
means of the ground baking hard when dried by the sun 
again. When they have advanced to a large size, all the 
care that is required is to cut off the overhanging branch- 
es, so as not to allow them to smother each other, or the 
stems of those overhung will become naked and unsightly. 
