October 24. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
55 
shrubs as the circumstances of the case will admit. 
Not unfrequently, these Shrubberies are planted by 
contract, and, in some such cases, a profusion ot 
common-place shrubs aud evergreens find a place there. 
All this may naturally be expected; for it cannot he 
supposed that nurserymen, with a cramped contiact, 
can afford to furnish the novelties of the day, or even a 
superior class of evergreens, unless the contract is 
made roomy enough, aud these things are perfectly 
understood. Such being the case, after the lapse ol a 
few years, this Shrubbery, which at first looked so prim 
aud so map-like, becomes rude aud disorderly, the 
inferior shrubs growing at double the pace oi their 
delicate neighbours, begin to elbow them most severely, 
and it speedily occurs, that the latter not only become 
lean aud attenuated, hut meagre and unseemly in out¬ 
line, and, unless measures he taken to relieve them, 
extermination, in many cases, is the result. 
Another point; the trees, in many cases, are planted 
too thick by far for a permanency ; many fast-growing 
deciduous trees are very properly introduced, in order to 
obtain what is called immediate eftect; and such trees 
as the Poplars, Limes, Elms, &c, although accomplish¬ 
ing that purpose, very soon serve the grosser shrubs 
quite as had as they had served their weakei neigh¬ 
bours, and, in their turn, the shrubs progressively 
become poor, straggling, aud drawn; aud thus, by 
degrees, the ground-line becomes deserted, and, from 
exhibiting decaying foliage aud other exuviae, not 
unfrequently carries the appearance ol a mere rubbish- 
ground. This is no overdrawn picture; many ol our 
readers cau, doubtless, attest to the fact, although many 
others, we feel assured, are happily ignorant ol such 
unpleasant results. 
Shrubberies, of whatever kind, indeed, should have 
periodical examinations, say once in three years, at least, 
hut there are other things which require even more 
frequent attention; aud I may here be permitted to point 
to a few necessary proceedings in overgrown and neg¬ 
lected Shrubberies. 
Porhftps no period is more opportune for this diessiiig 
than the month of October, or early in November. The 
days are still ol length sufficient to despatch much 
business without serious impediments through stress of 
weather; all pressure of ordinary gardening business is 
at this period at the minimum point; and, moreover, as 
planting or rearranging generally becomes necessary 
after thinning, &c.,the period is altogether very suitable. 
In these proceedings, the bill-hook and hand-saw aie 
not unfrequently called into requisition. ihe first 
thing, of course, is to remove all unnecessary timber- 
trees,and here much judgment and caution are requisite. 
Not only the securing a necessary amount ot shelter, 
and even shade is necessary, hut an eye must be had 
to what is termed the sky-line, as to the principal points 
of view, the first of which is, ot course, the diawing- 
room or parlour-windows; and alter that, seats 01 prin¬ 
cipal points of view in the grounds. But there is one 
other point of oven paramount importance, viz., the ex¬ 
clusion oi unpleasant objects, and a due attention to this 
very frequently becomes the prime consideration with the 
improver, especially in suburban residences. However, 
in the midst of all those considerations, I would not 
have our readers possessed with the “tree mania;” that 
is to say, so fond of everything in the shape of a tree, 
as to he ready in the language of a popular soug to 
cry out—“ Touch not a single hough. 
Let such romember that the mere exclusion of a 
factory chimney, or a cottage betokening poverty, is ill- 
accomplished in small gardens, if naked shrubberies, 
with rows of Pea-stakos must ho the result. 
Having well determined, then, what coarse trees must \ 
give way” the axe should he at once applied, and before j 
any rearrangement of shrubs take place, the trunks, 
brush-wood, and all, should be entirely removed, and by 
all means the roots aud bole; it frequently becomes 
necessary to plant evergreens or shrubs at the very 
station occupied by the tree. It must he remembered 
here, that as trees of importance to be reserved, the 
Beech holds a conspicuous position ; for although a great 
euemy, root and branch, to the welfare of the evergreens 1 
growing beneath, it is of considerable use to lean belts, j 
in moderate-sized gardens, as retaining much foliage | 
through the winter, and if the lower branches injure j 
the shrubs, they should be kept cut away, not being 
required, like a Birch on a lawn, to sweep dowmvards. ! 
The Birch, too, is valuable in this sky-outline; its 
graceful, dangling branches much relieve the hardness of 
outline in other trees, whilst its silvery trunk becomes 
of itself a distinct feature in the scenery. The Plane is 
a noble tree on account of its foliage, and the Tulip-tree, 
when of some size, ranks with it. Such trees as the 
Acacias, the Ailanthus, Sumachs, &c., of the pinuate- 
leaved character, must he well preserved on account of 
their peculiar expression. However, I need not enlarge 
here on this head; space will not permit, and most of 
our readers by this time, doubtless, are familiar with 
most of our deciduous trees. 
I must here advert to another prime consideration, 
the careful preservation, as a general principle, of ever¬ 
green trees, such as Conilers, Ilexes, Hollies, &e. So many 
have been the important additions made to this class ot | 
landscape adorners within the last tew years, that thete 
is little necessity to resort to deciduous trees; still, how¬ 
ever, remembering, that in, summer the light, airy, and 
umbrageous foliage of the latter imparts a grace and 
freshness which we seek for in vain in the Conifer; 
nevertheless, it is of the utmost importance, that in 
screens of this kind evergreens bothot' trees and shrubs 
preponderate. 
The trees, then, being thinned where necessary, and 
all about them removed from the spot, the improver 
may cast his eyes on the shrubs below. And here he 
will find more scope still for his selecting powers, if the 
shrubbery, belt, or screen, contain many specimens. 
Here, agaiu, may appear a repetition of the evils referred 
to as concerning the trees; coarse, rambling sliruhs, j 
were of much service as producing speedy effect, now J 
crushing their delicate compeers, which boast a higher ! 
pedigree; or, rather, higher associations in the mind. j 
Where these things crowd, and a derangement of the 
style intended is obvious, selection must be the order of 
the day ; aud the hill-hook and spade may divide the 
carnage between them. The judicious improver now j 
takes a glance over the other parts of the grounds, in 
order to see if these coarso and despised materials may 
not prove worthy of a better fate than the rubbish-yard 
or wood-stack, aud, not unfrequently, situations are lound | 
where the despised ones will receive a hearty welcome. 
Amongst ordinary shrubs, &c., which are apt to press ^ 
too severely on the best and permanent plants in shrub- 
heries, maybe named such as Privet, and shrubs of 
similar growth ; many of these straggling and suffocating 
sprouts are stuck in with a liberal hand in new shrub¬ 
beries, especially if contract-work; a moderate use of 
these, nevertheless, being not only justifiable, but com¬ 
mendable, for ready-effects’ sake. 
And here two principles contend for the mastery in 
the selection ; the one, natural grouping, marked by an 
accidentally happy association of forms, tints, &c.; tne 
other, richness and variety in detail; the iorraer, how¬ 
ever lias reference chiefly to the shrubberies or screens ot 
extensive grounds; the latter rises in importance with 
the severity of the limitation. However, as to suburban 
residences, warmth of clothing and privacy assume 
leviathan proportions, and in many cases there is little 
chance or desire for any exercise of the taste and skill or 
the genuine landscape gardener. The limits ot a single 
