ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 



361 



leaves, light litter, &c., which not only protects the ground 

 from frost, but prevents the escape of heat and moisture. 



Shrubs grown in pots are not a success as a rule, for the 

 reason that the roots are matted together through too close 

 confinement. We have noticed how much more vigorous are 

 shrubs lifted from the open than those turned out of pots, 

 except in the case of delicate kinds that need protection in 

 early life, but such as these should never be planted in the 

 open, air unless the situation is peculiarly favourable. Planting 

 from pots may be carried out at almost any season, but 

 that is the only advantage, and this is not a practice for general 

 recommendation. 



Pruning^. 



This is an all-important subject, yet one unfortunately both 

 little understood and neglected. To properly prune the various 

 trees and shrubs several points must be considered, such as 

 habit, health, and purpose for which they are intended ; also if the 

 flowers are produced on the previous or current year's growth. 

 Site and soil are also important. 



In borders that are planted with mixed shrubs pruning is 

 essential to keep the too vigorous growth within bounds, and 

 to both protect and encourage weaker kinds. The shrubbery 

 border should be examined at least twice a year, and not 

 allowed to remain unattended for protracted periods. 



In pruning flowering shrubs the object should be to 

 improve their general appearance and to encourage greater 

 freedom in blossom. To accomplish the latter, one must some- 

 times sacrifice growth, especially if the shrubs have been 

 neglected in the early stages, as like fruit trees they should 

 be carefully attended to whilst young, when it is easy to lay 

 in a good foundation. Old worn-out, sickly, and useless wood 

 should be removed, and young vigorous shoots encouraged. 



The subject may very well be discussed under two heads : 

 (i) spring pruning, and (2) summer pruning. The point that 

 troubles many lovers of hardy shrubs is to distinguish between 

 the two sections. Roughly speaking, shrubs whose flowers are 

 produced in winter or spring should be pruned iaimediately 

 the flowers are over, so that they may be encouraged to make 

 new wood early and thus become matured before winter. 



The charming Winter Sweet {^Chimo7ianthus fragrans) is a 

 typical example of a winter-flowering shrub. In February the 



