March 25, 1305.. 
THE QaRDEMNQ WORLD 
or stems, or in the number of flowers upon one stem, but we 
think the "roup is sufficient illustration of the remarkable 
success with this Lily under ordinary conditions in the open. 
As in other recorded cases, the chief evidence of attention we 
have is that their owners simply took care to stake the stems 
when it became necessary to take this precaution to prevent 
their being broken down by the wind. The case was brought 
to our notice by Mr. Alexander Cormick, of Balkail Gardens, 
Glenluce. _ 
Renovating Old Shrubberies. 
(Concluded from page 1 S 6 .) 
Where ornamental deciduous trees have been planted 
amongst shrubs, the former may have grown to a large size, 
tlie latter being starved in consequence. Again, there may 
he detached portions of shrubbery that do not contain a single 
"ood specimen. Very often it is advantageous to replace the 
shrubs by turf, improving the appearance of the trees in the 
first case, and adding space to the lawn in the latter. V here 
it is preferred to replant, lose no time in clearing and digging 
the "round, adding such manure and soil as may best suit the 
next occupants. If in doubt what to plant, refer to Mr. A. E. 
Thatcher's articles on the subject in previous numbers of The 
Gardening World. 
But supposing the plan of the shrubbery is bound to remain 
the same, then begin by cutting out all dead wood, and de¬ 
ciding which are the most valuable specimens. Provide suffi- 
cient room for them to develop by cutting back all the com¬ 
moner shrubs. Where the branches of Yew trees have spread 
too much, they may be cut into any shape desired; in fact, 
I know of no shrub or tree that breaks from the old wood more 
freely. The better shrubs will most likely have been starved 
bv the others. A good top-dressing of loam and manure, or 
peat and leaf-mould—according to the species—soon improves 
them. 
If it is desired to lower a bank of Laurel that has grown too 
tall, cut out with a saw all the stift’er pieces, then bend tlie 
others down to cover the bare cuts, and secure them with tar 
string at the proper level. Shrubs of a more rigid character 
may have some of the larger branches cut hard back, and these 
having made fresh growth, other branches can be treated in 
the same manner the next year, and so on until they have been 
reduced to the dimensions required. 
Some shrubs may ha-ve died, leaving bare places ; it is most 
likeh- these will have occurred where the other shrubs ovei- 
hang, shutting out much light; but the unsightly place must 
be tilled. For such places there is nothing better than the 
Aucubas, green varieties of Euonymus, and Gaultheria Shallon. 
These will thrive in places where the shade and drip will kill 
most others. Vinca major and Hedera eanariensis are veiy 
useful for carpeting bare places. Unfortunately, a garden 
where the shrubbery has been neglected is the least likely to 
have a reserve ground to draw from for tilling up. I he shrubs 
must therefore be purchased. If possible, obtain them locally, 
and choose them to suit their respective positions. V here 
large specimens from the reserve ground can be used, quicker 
and better results can be obtained. V Ith good plants and 
careful arrangement, it is astonishing how quickly a newly 
planted portion can be grafted on to the old. lo hasten the 
union, cut down the older part as low as possible, thus avoiding 
a break between the old and new. 
Nothing is gained by planting large shrubs too thickly ; 
better to carpet the ground between them with some smaller 
common shrubs, or plant bulbs in the spaces .between, sowing 
grass-seeds over the whole in March. But we much prefer to 
have the ground between quite open, so that a fine tilth can 
be kept on the surface by the use of the Dutch hoe; it may 
look a little bare at first ; but the increased vigour of the 
shrubs soon decides which is best for them. J- C. 
Readers’ Competition. —Particulars of weekly prizes, see 
centre page. 
Letters to the Editor. 
To be, or not to be, Apprenticed to Horticulture ? 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir,—I once more crave your indulgence for space in v. hi' 
to reply to our indignant friend “ Heather Bell. I have can 
fully read his latest letter, and although lie professes to no 
ready to prove his assertion that the happy-go-lucky method 
of training a gardener is the only trustworthy one, lie merely 
states his opinion, and bases this opinion on the tact that In 
has known certain successful gardeners who have begun their 
gardening education in this manner. It is, of course, open for 
me to point out that a great many very successful gardeners 
have to my knowledge begun as apprentices. 
This, however, in both cases is most inconclusive argument, 
Ekanthis cilicica: The new Winter Aconite. (See p. -239). 
and I do not base mine on such a flimsy point as personal 
opinion. T\ hat I wished to point out is, that no matter what 
calling xve follow, everyone of us should begin at the bottom 
of the ladder and honestly work our way up. 
To be logical, “Heather Bell'’ must condemn apprentice¬ 
ship to any trade or profession. 
If he does not do so, why does he consider the gardening 
profession should be made the “ dumping ” ground for all and 
sundry? He draws a heartrending picture of the “smart lad 
whose parents are too' poor to pay a premium. This, of 
course, is so much nonsense, as the premium system (in Scot¬ 
land, at all events) is now a tiling of the past. Another thing 
I may tell “ H. B." is that in Scotland we give our apprentices 
a " living wage," even from the start. It may astonish him 
to know~that~ in the West of Scotland especially, the appren¬ 
tice usually gets as good a. wage as is ottered to journeymen 
in the southern counties of England. 
This, however, is a fact, and when we consider that in every 
other trade the pay of the apprentice is merely nominal, his 
wail about the unfairness to poor lads in the apprentice system 
