PLANTING TREES AND SHRUBS 
79 
preparatory to planting, and then after the shrubs are set 
out the beds may be covered with about an inch of sand, 
which can be worked into the soil, during the Summer, 
when cultivating. In a few months the sand will work 
well below the surface and it will have a remarkably 
beneficial effect on the shrubs and plants. 
PERENNIAL PLANTS. 
Herbaceous perennials are handled in very much the 
same way as shrubs. The tall plants should be arranged 
in the background and the smaller ones in front. If the 
beds are to be seen from all sides plant the taller ones in 
the middle of the bed. 
The ground should be spaded to a depth of 2 feet and 
enriched with well-rotted manure, or fertilizer, well mixed 
with the soil. If the soil is heavy or tight, sand may be 
added as in the case of shrubs. 
If possible planting should be done a cloudy day. 
Make the holes sufficiently large to take all the roots with¬ 
out crowding, and loosen enough earth on the sides to 
provide for future growth of the roots. Put the well pul¬ 
verized top-soil about the roots, water heavily, and then 
complete the planting with dry soil. 
If a hot spell follows the planting, it is a good plan to 
cover the ground over the roots with leaves or some other 
mulch to prevent the soil from baking or drying out. 
CARE AFTER PLANTING. 
Shrubs and herbaceous plants should be planted close 
enough so that when the plants reach their mature growth 
the ground will be almost entirely shaded. Such an ar¬ 
rangement will conserve the soil moisture and tend to keep 
out weeds. 
Watering at the right time is necessary and import- 
