CHAPTER XXIX 



Shrubs 



As one of the best means of setting off a garden is the 

 proper use of shrubs, I shall write briefly about them. They 

 are the finest background to any garden, and are often in 

 themselves very beautiful. 



In choosing shrubs it is wise to consider those which grow 

 wild in the neighborhood, for they are sure to stand the 

 climate. They may be bought of nurserymen, or may simply 

 be dug in the woods in early spring or fall, but should be 

 taken while young. A large wild shrub transplants very 

 poorly. Those bought of nurserymen transplant better, 

 but still ought to be as young as possible. 



At the same time many of the shrubs which have been 

 brought from other regions do very well in our country, and 

 have special beauties of their own. They must be bought 

 of nurserymen, grown from seeds (which is very seldom 

 done, because it is extremely slow), or from cuttings. 



The choice of shrubs depends partly upon the season of 

 their bloom. It is wise to try to have some of our shrubs 

 blooming at each season. The choice depends also upon 

 the attractions of the different shrubs, whether the flowers, 

 or the foliage, or the berries or pods. I will write of them 

 under these headings, choosing only the best all-round kinds. 



Spring flowering shrubs are the following. Very early 

 are the daphnes, forsythias, and pussy willows. Later come 

 the ornamental varieties of the fruits (apples, peaches, 



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