SPECIAL TOPICS 



equal to one-half the average height which they may 

 be expected to attain at maturity; i.e., a shrub grow- 

 ing 6 feet should be planted 3 feet apart — one grow- 

 ing 10 feet high, 5 feet apart, etc. 



With evergreens, first preserve the ball of earth that 

 adheres to its roots, then proceed to plant in the same 

 manner as indicated on diagram shown. 



On Planting Rhododendrons and 

 Azaleas 



Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Evergreen Shrubs 

 such as Andromeda and Laurel are for the most part 

 fond of wood's conditions. To get best results these 

 conditions must therefore be provided as far as 

 possible. Among them are good drainage and the 

 moisture that shaded positions or a mulch of leaves 

 or grass clippings afford. Their sustenance is de- 

 rived from decayed vegetable matter such as woods 

 earth or peat, and it is helpful to provide such soil, 

 if it does not already exist in the place where the 

 planting is to be done. 



It is of the utmost importance that the direct rays 

 of the sun shall not shine upon the uncovered earth 

 about this type of plant. They may endure sunny 

 positions if more favorable ones in partial shade are 

 not available. In no case, however, should the leaf 

 or grass mulch (which is what they are accustomed 

 to in their native haunts) be sacrificed for the clean 

 and deep tillage that should be given other shrubbery. 



Planting Shrubbery 



The best results with shrubbery are had when the 

 planting is done in beds or groups. Shrubs grow 

 best when in the companionship of others. Compare 

 plants placed individually in the sod with those in a 

 group which enjoy the cultivation of a deep hoeing 

 or spading once or more each year. 



If shrubs are to be arranged in groups or colonies, 

 the area that they are to occupy should first be 

 thoroughly spaded as if for flowers, after which the 

 planting may be done in the usual manner. 



The distances apart at which shrubs should be 

 placed in beds are for most plantings a distance 



Not only does a cultivated area stimulate their growth 

 but it is easier to keep in order than grass, which succeeds 

 poorly beneath their shade and is in such places difficult 

 to mow. 



The Way to Plant and Trim Hedges 



Dig a trench wide enough and deep enough to 

 accommodate the roots without cramping (usually 

 about 15 X 18 inches). 



A diagram showing how plants should be set for a 

 hedge, and the way they should be trimmed after plant- 

 ing. The more severe the trimming, the more dense will 

 the hedge become. 



It it is preferred to place well-rotted manure in 

 the bottom of the trench, dig it about one-half foot 

 deeper than otherwise, and put in two or three 

 inches of such manure, shoveling over it a layer of 

 top-soil until the trench is refilled to a depth suffi- 

 cient to admit of proper planting. Do not let roots 

 come in contact with manure. 



It is our practice to mulch the hedge after being 

 planted, so that the manure will conserve the mois- 

 ture, and the strength-giving elements from it will 

 percolate around and about the roots. 



Place the plants so that their branches will touch 

 one another, or if a thicker hedge and immediate 

 effect are desired, set them even closer, that their 

 branches shall interlace. Press soil firmly about the 

 roots and otherwise plant in the usual manner. 



Sunlight reaches the bottom branches of hedges 

 trimmed like these, and they remain dense and healthy. 



Styles to Adopt and Styles to Avoid in 

 Trimming Hedges 



Probably more hedges become thin and ugly at 

 the base for want of sunlight than for any other 

 cause. This condition often is the fault of trimming. 



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