THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
47 
hence we often see newly planted trees covered up to the stem with 
paving stones, or gravel, and perhaps so situated that the soil is daily 
trodden on right up to the unfortunate prisoner. The nearer the 
roots are to the atmosphere, and the more porous the soil above them 
is, the better. I have just planted some fruit trees on the top of 
trenched ground, without digging a hole at all. There will in this 
case be a small mound, visible above the surface, and the trees will 
require a strong stake, and careful attention as to watering in dry 
days in spring; but with these precautions, I have no doubt the plan 
will be successful. The smaller roots should be carefully preserved, 
arranged round the tree as much as possible, and kept near the 
surface. It thus appears that in transplanting, care should be taken 
to preserve the bunches of fibres which are too often torn from the 
stronger roots, and left in the ground. It is to be lamented, that 
even in nurseries too little attention is given to this matter, for we 
often see trees sent out with only a strong stick of old root attached, 
all that was really valuable having been cut or rent away. The 
remedy for this unworkmanlike treatment is for amateurs to be 
more knowing on such matters themselves, and to refuse to purchase 
trees which are so roughly treated. Firmly tread down and water, 
and your work is done, always remembering to keep a watch as to 
drought during the first spring and summer. 
HINTS ON SMALL GARDENS. 
N treating of the subject of small gardens, it may be as 
well in the first instance to consider the subject of 
gardens which it is desired to alter or improve, and it 
often happens in this case that a considerable portion 
of the space is occupied by one or more trees. Now 
trees are decidedly out of place in little gardens ; and unless they 
are useful as screens, or are regarded with particular favour, we 
would strongly recommend their removal, as few plants will grow 
under them, and they are very littery in the autumn; but if it is 
desired for one or both the above reasons to retain them, care should 
be taken to select such plants and shrubs as will thrive in their 
shade, or exposed to their drip. Or it may happen that the old 
garden is filled with some deciduous shrubs, as lilacs or snowberries, 
which during the winter months are about as ornamental as a bundle 
of sticks ; in the spring they produce a few flowers possibly, but in 
the summer the dust and smoke render them anything but orna- 
mental ; and in the autumn they make the whole place untidy, 
besides they are gross feeders, and extract all the nutritive qualities 
from the soil, and sap the moisture a considerable distance around, 
and make it impossible for smaller plants to thrive near them; 
therefore we would recommend that such, with all other old or worn- 
out shrubs, whether deciduous or evergreen, be discarded without 
mercy. Sometimes we have seen the little frontage overrun by a 
species of starwort, or what is worse, by couch or twitch grass ; the 
February. 
