CULTURE OF HARDY DECIDUOUS AND EVERGREEN SHRUBS. 
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" By this practice, which is particularly necessary in spring and autumn planting-, 
the earth is carried down by the water, and every crevice among the roots is filled. 
Care must always be taken to have as much earth above the roots of the plants as 
will prevent them from being exposed when the water has subsided. The best 
plan is to take an old birch broom, or any thing similar, and laying it down near the 
root pour the water upon it ; this breaks the fall of the water, and prevents the 
roots from being washed bare of such earth as may adhere to them ; in this way 
time is saved, for the water may be poured out in a full stream from a pail, a water- 
ing-pot, or even from a spout or pipe in the water-cart or barrel, when the situation 
is such that this can be brought up to the plant/' 
" After the first watering has dried up, the earth should be levelled round the 
stem of the plant, and, as far out as the water has been put on, but not trod ; if the 
plants are large a second watering is sometimes necessary, but in ordinary sized 
plants one watering is quite sufficient; and after remaining twenty-four hours, more 
or less, according to the nature of the soil, the earth about the stem, and over the 
roots, should be trod as firm as possible, and, after treading, should be dressed with 
a rake." 
2. The Situations in which the Plants will thrive. — With regard to the situa- 
tion in which each shrub should be planted little can be said here ; to form a correct 
judgment of this, a knowledge of the natural habitats of each is required ; this know- 
ledge may be easily obtained by referring to a botanical catalogue, and other works 
treating on the subject. Some shrubs love a dry and elevated situation, and will 
not thrive if crowded with others, — some are rather tender, and must have warm 
and sheltered places, — others are very hardy, and will thrive planted any where, 
others again will not grow freely unless they are placed in low, damp ground,—- 
and others do not flourish if much exposed to the rays of the sun ; a few particulars 
of which immediately succeed the present list. 
3. The kind of Soil best suited for them. — With respect to soil, hardy shrubs 
may be divided into two kinds, viz. first, shrubs requiring common soil; and second, 
those shrubs constituting the American garden. A rich, light hazel loam un- 
doubtedly suits the greater part of the first class of plants, although many of the 
stronger growing kinds will make fine bushes on almost any kind of soil. The 
American plants, as Kalmias, Rhododendrons, Andromedas, &c. &c, make the 
finest plants and the best show if they are planted in a soil composed for the most 
part of sandy peat ; but in the absence of this a very good compost may be made 
for them of light hazelly loam, river sand, and vegetable or leaf mould, equal parts, 
or a little peat earth mixed with it. After having taken out the original soil from 
the proposed border to about a foot and a half deep, substitute the above mixture 
in its place. 
4. To encourage the growth of the Shrubs after being planted. — Whilst the 
plants are small constantly keep down all rank growing weeds, and clear off all 
rubbish that would otherwise greatly retard their growth ; also they receive much 
benefit by the surface of the ground being often stirred with a Dutch hoe, as it 
prevents the surface baking hard in dry weather. Watering shrubs, except in 
