MANAGEMENT OF THE FLOWER GARDEN. 181 
increase of themselves, and if uncontrolled, would 
soon destroy that variety which it is so desirable to 
have in small gardens. Much of the beauty and order 
of a flower garden depends on the preparations and 
dispositions made at or soon after this time; accord¬ 
ingly, measures should now be taken to improve the 
quality of the soil, the shape of the beds should be 
altered, shrubs and herbaceous plants removed, and 
all other practicable amendments effected. These 
alterations are very necessary, for gardens that wear 
the same unvaried aspect year after year, become 
wearisome to the possessor, who insensibly ceases 
to feel an interest in their cultivation, and conse¬ 
quently suffers them to fall into decay. A little 
trouble in interchanging the flowering plants among 
the different beds, enlarging some, and lessening oth¬ 
ers, will accomplish all that is necessary. 
All shrubs that require it should now be pruned, 
by cutting out all irregular and superfluous branches, 
stopping luxurious growths, and removing suckers, 
so as to form them into handsome bushes; and such 
as require support should be neatly tied up to stakes. 
Any herbaceous plants that have spread too much, 
should have their tops cut off, and the roots dug up 
and parted, when as much as is wanted may be selec¬ 
ted, and reset, about four feet apart, regard being had 
to the different height of the plants, and the variety of 
color their flowers exhibit. 
All bulbous and other flower roots that remain 
under ground during winter should have labels or 
sticks placed to them that they mgy not be injured or 
disturbed when the garden is dug in the spring. Take 
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