ON SUPPORTING PLANTS BY STAKES. 
69 
Many consider that it is of no consequence how rough the part that is out of sight is 
left, so long as it can be driven into the soil without great trouble ; forgetting that 
injury done to the roots, though not apparent to the eye, must inevitably weaken 
the plant. It is further injudicious, and produces a bad effect, to use too many 
stakes where fewer would answer the same end, or to employ too few, and tie the 
branches in an awkward posture. 
With respect to the attachment of plants to the stakes, the capital error is, 
where there are several stems or branches, to tie them all together in a bundle 
around one stake. And next to this, to inclose a leaf or leaves, or any portion of 
them, between the band and the stake, is the most glaring fault. Each stem or 
shoot, however many, may be supported by the same stick, and ought to be 
secured distinctly, by itself, without encumbering any other branches, or disarranging 
(much less tying in) any of the foliage. Amateurs, too, generally use the matting 
for bands without twisting it, thus rendering the employment of a broader piece 
requisite, (which is, even then, not so strong as a narrower strip properly twisted,) 
and leaving the edges of it ragged, or liable to become so, and very unsightly. The 
best plan is to twist the matting itself somewhat tightly at first, then, passing it 
round the stem to be supported, cross it and slightly twist it between the stem and 
the stake, and afterwards secure it to the latter. Neatness and durability are 
combined in this system. But with growing plants, especially such as have tender 
stems, the band should, in the first instance, be tied very loosely, and be repeatedly 
examined to see that it does not cut the plant, replacing it where needful. 
Stakes made of branches of trees that are of the proper size, ought not to be 
deprived of their bark ; and others which are prepared from timber should be 
smoothly shaven, and, where practicable, painted blue or green. For small stakes 
adapted to low-growing hardy plants, or to exotics in pots, the young branches or 
suckers of the hazel-nut or filbert are well adapted. Before being used, however, 
it is better to place them in an oven for a short time, or keep them for a few weeks 
above the stock-hole of a hothouse, or in any dry warm place, in order to make them 
hard, and deprive them of their pliability. 
Where stakes have to be applied to plants that present two faces to the view 
of the beholder, they may be placed indifferently on the right or left side, but never 
at either front ; and in all other cases, they should invariably be kept behind the 
stem, A Dahlia, for instance, and a plant in a pot also, should be staked 
on that side directly opposite to the one seen from the walk, or most commonly 
visible. 
One rule relative to staking plants is of universal application. If by a little 
pruning, or the allowable reduction of some of the shoots, stakes can be avoided, it 
will conduce much to the beauty of the specimens, and save a needless expenditure 
of labour. 
