208 
ON PLANTING SHRUBS IN BEDS. 
and in making pits in which to plant shrubs or trees, which may here be alluded 
to and deprecated. It is that of sloping the sides of the excavation inwards, 
under the surrounding earth, so as to leave the edges impending over the cavity. 
By this mode it is fancied that more new earth can be inserted for the use of the 
roots, without the trouble of removing so much of the surface soil. The result is, 
however, that when the roots get into such parts, the earth immediately above 
them is different from that in which they are growing, and not so readily penetrated 
by air, nor alike free in regard to drainage. Water is therefore almost sure to 
accumulate and to stagnate there, and the very best roots of the plant often suffer 
in consequence. The preferable plan is to let the sides of the excavation slope 
towards (not from) its centre ; thus having a greater quantity of better earth near 
the surface, in order to attract the roots to remain there. 
After the earth is taken out where a bed is to be formed, a layer of broken 
bricks or stones should be put into the bottom of the hole, to the depth of at least 
six inches. This will serve to keep the soil duly drained, and will also prove a 
check to the roots in their downward progress, stopping them from proceeding into 
the substratum. 
On the last-named condition, an immense deal depends ; and it involves one of 
the highest principles in modern gardening. By attention to it, the plants are kept 
a trifle more stunted, their hardihood is immeasurably increased, and they are 
enabled to bear a more striking profusion of flowers. We were lately astonished 
to witness, in a district two degrees north of London, a large quantity of the 
common Furze, ( Ulex europcEUs) which had not been injured by the sharp winter 
of 1837 — 8 ; when, as is universally known, all in the vicinity of London was 
killed down to the ground. The cause of its preservation, we were told, was to 
be found in the extreme shallowness of the earth, its containing an abundance of 
of stone and reduced rock, and lying on a rocky sub-layer. The growth of the 
Furze was, on these accounts, comparatively small each year, but it was exceed- 
ingly well ripened, and intensely hardy. 
Besides putting a thick layer of drainage at the bottom, it is advisable to raise 
the earth in the beds a little above the ordinary level, as well for appearance, as for 
still further facilitating the escape of water from the roots. Concerning the 
compost, it must, of course, be varied according to the nature of the plants. We 
would nevertheless recommend that an earth only slightly more nutritive than that 
in which the plant naturally thrives be selected. It is an error to place any flower 
or ornamental plant in a soil that is really rich, since such a condition would 
invariably excite it to grow too rapidly and luxuriantly, thereby decreasing the 
number of blossoms, and making the specimens considerably more susceptible of 
detriment from cold. 
Rhododendrons, and what are termed American plants, are supposed to require 
peat or heath-soil, and if they are supplied with this, their success is securely 
calculated upon, in whatever situation they may be planted. There is much of 
