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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Thousands of trees and shrubs are planted at the foot of walls only to thrive 

 for a short time and then gradually dwindle away. The soil in these positions is 

 invariably of the poorest description, much of it probably having been packed 

 against the foundation walls by the builders. In any case it is likely to become 

 excessively dry and poor. Nothing must be done to interfere with the free drainage 

 of the walls of a house, but fresh soil ought to be substituted for the rubbly 

 mixture, and the roots of healthy free-growing climbers will take care that no 

 moisture is left to injure the structure in the least. It is, indeed, often or usually 

 necessary to supply water, especially to newly planted trees and shrubs, till their 

 roots have spread into the naturally moister and more congenial soil provided. A 

 mere handful of fresh soil is not enough to plant in, but new borders are necessary. 

 These should be at least 2 feet wide and 18 inches deep, using a mixture of one 

 part each of fresh loam, good garden soil and decayed leaves, with a sixth part of 

 the bulk of fine mortar rubbish, wood (not coal) ashes, and sharp grit of some kind 

 added. When peat is required, an equal portion of this may be mixed with the 

 other soil. It is true that ordinarily fertile garden soil may be good enough for 

 many of them, but all would make a better start, and fewer failures occur, in the 

 compost recommended. When the borders have long been occupied by plants that 

 are to make room for new-comers, a complete change of soil is absolutely necessary. 

 Failing to observe this rule has resulted in numberless disappointments, roses 

 and clematises, in particular, refusing to make good progress when planted in soil 

 exhausted of the constituents that tend to make it fertile. 



Most trees and shrubs for planting against walls are supplied in pots. The 

 spring is the best time, as a rule, to plant as well as prune, as then all risks of 

 damage from severe frosts is past for the season, and by the time that the sharp 

 weather comes again the plants will be firmly established. Moderately early 

 planting affords opportunity for strong flowering growth to be made the same 

 summer. In some instances a portion of the roots may be loosened from the soil 

 with advantage, as when spread out in the fresh compost they take possession 

 of it the more readily. See that the old ball of soil containing the roots is in a 

 moist state, as if planted dry, water subsequently given will not penetrate the 

 mass nor satisfactory growth follow. Let the plants be placed an inch or two 

 deeper in the ground than they were in the pots and form a saucer-like cavity 

 around them for holding water, which must be given occasionally, for conducting 



