USE ShyftRP 
> 
Pruning 
All new gardeners tend to allow shrubs and 
vigorous-growing plants to develop without re¬ 
straint. They fear that through lack of expert 
knowledge they may do injury to a treasured 
bush or flower. However, nothing is of value 
unless it serves the purpose for which it was intended, so a shrub 
must be forced to comply with those purposes for which it was 
selected and planted. 
Thus when and how to prune plants is one of the many valuable 
lessons to be learned from the old English gardeners. Their years 
of experience have enabled them to use and keep within bounds 
their plant-colors, as an artist handles his palette, so that each indi¬ 
vidual specimen is forced to take its relative place in the garden 
picture. How to use plants to advantage and so control them that 
they occupy only the space allotted them denotes a Master Gar¬ 
dener. 
To maintain grounds and foundations well balanced is always a 
vital consideration. 
Evergreens are selected primarily for backgrounds, against 
which to display splashes of color, for their softening green is as 
distinct a color factor as white, which serves to blend groups of 
brilliant-colored flowers, so the shades of green are always needed 
to create harmony. Since all evergreens may not be directed into 
desired shapes, symmetry 
can only be secured by 
choosing those varieties 
which will permit of 
training. Valuable years of 
Value 
Relative 
Place 
Evergreens 
37 
