CHAPTER VII 
THE CARE OF PLANTS IN THE GARDEN 
The Use of the Knife among Hardy Plants 
MUCH has been WTitten about pruning Fruit 
Trees and Roses, but one seldom hears of 
pruning herbaceous plants, but as a matter of fact 
a great many of our perennials require considerable 
attention in this direction if the best results are to 
be obtained. The perennial Asters, the Heleniums, 
Phloxes, Solidagos, and many other plants that 
throw up a large number of individual stems from 
a ' clump,' should not be left in a crowded mass. 
The weaker stems, and especially those in the centre 
of the plant, should be cut clean away from the base 
before they become too far advanced. By this 
means the remaining stems will be afforded more 
light and air, as well as a larger proportion of the 
nourishment provided by the roots. 
The thinning out will also facilitate staking and 
t3dng, and in this latter task the aim should always 
be to simply hold the stems in their natural position, 
not to draw them up into tightly tied bundles, for 
that will always spoil effect. 
65 E 
