ELLWAXGEll d- BARRY'S CATALOGUE. 



plant has a habit of growth peculiar to itself, and this very peculiarity is one of its 

 beauties. If we prune all trees inlo legular shapes we destroy their identity. The 

 pruning knife, therefore, should be used to assist nature, and handled with judg- 

 ment and care; to lop off straggling branches, to thin the head of a tree which has 

 become too dense, and to remove dead wood. Sometimes it becomes necessary to 

 prune severely to keep a tiee from attaining too great size. 



SlieariDg' may be practised on hedges, but never on trees or shrubs. 



PRUNING SHRUBS. 



Many persons trim and shear them into regular shapes, imagining that regular 

 outline adds to their effect and beauty. While symmetry and regularity of form 

 are to be admired in a shrub, this quality should never be gained at the expense of 

 health and natural grace. Each shrub has peculiarities of habit and foliage, and 

 we should aim to preserve them as far as possible. Judicious pruning to secure 

 health and vigor is necessary; but trimming all kinds of shrubs into one form shows 

 a lack of appreciation for natural beauty, to say the least. Weigelas, Deutzias, 

 Forsythias and Mock Orange flower on the wood of the preceding year's growth, 

 hence these shrubs should not be pruned in winter or spring, but in June, after 

 they have finished flowering, when the old wood should be shortened or cut out, 

 thus promoting the growth of the young wood, which is to flower the following 

 season. 



Spiraeas. Lilacs, Althaeas and Honeysuckles may be trimmed during the winter 

 or early in spring, but the branches should only be reduced enough to keep them in 

 good shape. The old growth should occasionally be thinned out and the suckers 

 aud root sprouts removed when they appear. The best time, however, for pruning 

 all shrubs is when they have done flowering. The Plumed Hydrangea should be 

 severely cut back and thinned early in Spring. 



PRUNING EVERGREENS. 



Use the knife occasionally to thicken the growth and preserve the shape. This 

 can be done in April or May, just before the trees start to grow. 



