I lO 
GARDENS AND THEIR MEANING 
should be given more water at intervals as they are being set 
into place. When the trench is filled, he treads down the 
earth with his whole weight ; and when all this is done, he 
mulches the plants with straw or leaves. As soon as time 
permits, the branches must be trimmed. It will not do to 
make the mistake of pruning in summer when the sap is 
moving ; and it must be remembered that an evergreen 
tree cannot be pruned oftener than once a year, and that 
in the spring. 
Every one speaks a good word for shrubs. For purposes 
of decoration they will be set out either singly or in clumps, 
seldom in rows. They will act, too, as a windbreak for some 
bed of tender plants. Again, they may be set out in order 
to give a bit of seclusion to one corner of the garden. A 
hedge of flowering shrubs proves the neighborhood’s delight. 
The only difficulty is in choosing from such a great variety 
as is offered. All gardeners have their favorites. Some sing 
the praises of the Japanese quince, which certainly does border 
a garden charmingly. Others think nothing equal to the Tar- 
tarian honeysuckle, especially the lovely pink flowering sort, 
and it is true that, whether in blossom or in berry, it is always 
superb. Forsythia finds favor as a hedge ; the plant keeps its 
leaves till cold weather. It pays a garden maker to study how 
to mass shrubs so as to secure happy effects. Not everybody 
can paint pictures. Fortunately, those who can use a brush 
and colors are not the only artists in the world ; some persons 
truly succeed in becoming "artists in things." Many a person 
can educate himself to be such an artist ; by watching colors, 
forms, and shadows he can really create beauty in a garden by 
means of his plants. 
When all is said, it may still seem as though some per- 
sons were wizards in the sense that they can stick anything 
into the ground and make it flourish. Perpetual good luck. 
