220 



MANUAL OF GARDENING 



up with great luxuriance during the summer, giving a dense 

 screen and presenting a semi-tropical effect. For such purposes, 

 the roots should be planted only two or three feet apart. If, 

 after a time, the roots become so crowded that the shoots are 

 weak, some of the plants may be removed. Top-dressing the 

 area every fall with manure will tend to make the ground rich 

 enough to afford a very heavy summer growth. (See Fig. 50.) 



The making of hedges. 



Hedges are much less used in this country than in Europe, 

 'and for several reasons. Our chmate is dry, and most hedges 

 do not thrive so well here as there; labor is high-priced, and 

 the trimming is therefore hkely to be neglected; our farms are 

 so large that much fencing is required; timber and wire are 

 cheaper than live hedges. 



However, hedges are used with good effect about the home 

 grounds. In order to secure a good ornamental hedge, it is 

 necessary to have a thoroughly well-prepared deep soil, to 

 set the plants close, and to shear them at least twice every year. 

 For evergreen hedges the most serviceable plant in general is 

 the arbor vitse. The plants may be set at distances of 1 to 23^ 

 feet apart. For coarser hedges, the Norwa}^ spruce is used; 

 and for still coarser ones, the Scotch and Austrian pines. In 

 California the staple conifer hedge is made of Monterey cypress. 

 For choice evergreen hedges about the grounds, particularly 

 outside the northern states, some of the retinosporas are very 

 useful. One of the most satisfactory of all coniferous plants 

 for hedges is the common hemlock, which stands shearing well 

 and makes a very soft and pleasing mass. The plants ma}^ be 

 set from 2 to 4 feet apart. 



Other, plants that hold their leaves and are good for hedges 

 are the common box and the privets. Box hedges are the best 

 for very low borders about walks and flower-beds. The dwarf 

 variety can be kept do-v\Ti to a height of 6 inches to a foot for 



