SHRUBS 



Done it is, after a fashion, but those who love 

 the plants they set out — those who want fine 

 shrubs and expect them to grow well from the 

 beginning — never plant in that way. Spread 

 the roots out on all sides, cover them with fine, 

 mellow soil, settle this into compactness with a 

 liberal application of water, then fill up the hole, 

 and cover the surface with a mulch of some kind. 

 Treated in this way not one shrub in a hundred 

 will fail to grow, if it has good roots. What was 

 said about cutting off the ends on injured roots, 

 in the chapter on planting trees, applies with 

 equal pertinence here. Also, about keeping the 

 roots covered until you are ready to put the plant 

 into the ground. A shrub is a tree on a small 

 scale, and should receive the same kind of treat- 

 ment so far as planting goes. These instructions 

 may seem trifling, but they are really matters of 

 great importance, as every amateur will find 

 after a little experience. A large measure of 

 one's success depends on how closely we follow 

 out the little hints and suggestions along these 

 lines in the cultivation of all kinds of plants. 



Among our best large shrubs, suitable for 

 planting at the rear of the lot, or in the back 

 row of a group, is the Lilac. The leading varie- 

 ties will grow to a height of ten or twelve feet, 



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