44 
MOUNT DESERT NURSERIES 
Thorough preparation of the ground for planting and an abundance 
of good soil m which to grow are of the first importance for everything 
one plants, whether it be tree, shrub or herbaceous plant, and in every 
garden a deep and mellow soil, moisture and good drainage are essential. 
This, in its first cost, is apt to be expensive, not less so usually than 
the plants themselves, but its benefit is lasting and in the end it is the 
only true economy. It is better to plant less than not to plant well 
what one does plant, and a deep soil in good mechanical condition and 
fairly rich in the elements of plant food is necessary to the full develop¬ 
ment of the feeding rootlets, corresponding to the leaves above, upon 
which the nourishment of plants depends. It also forms a reservoir of 
moisture against drought, and makes the garden independent of the fre¬ 
quent watering a shallow soil makes necessary. The less frequently 
watering need be done the better, for much watering draws the root 
growth to the surface where the rootlets suffer from the briefest 
drought and feed but shallowly, while with a deep soil and well drained 
subsoil capable of holding water a thorough soaking of the ground a 
few times in the summer is all the watering that plants will need or 
ought to have. After every watering, and every rain, the surface of the 
garden should be broken up by shallow cultivation as soon as it is dry. 
This lets the air in while it prevents the loss of the water rising from be¬ 
low through capillary action, from which the plant’s supply is drawn. 
When planting, the roots of plants should never be exposed a mo¬ 
ment longer than is absolutely necessary to a drying air or sunshine; to 
evergreens especially a very brief exposure of their rootlets may be fatal. 
Where plants cannot be planted out immediately after they are lifted or 
received they should be carefully heeled in, in fine moist earth well firmed 
about their roots. And even when they are being actually planted out 
thev should be sheltered as much as possible from sunshine and from 
drying winds, their roots well covered and kept moist; and no more 
than can be planted quickly should be taken out to plant, but the 
plants should be brought out as they are needed. 
In garden planting, and in wild planting also as a rule, mass effects 
are far the best with herbaceous plants, and with the smaller shrubs. 
They keep the simplicity of artistic effect, emphasize contrasts of form 
and color, and are essential to making the richness and beauty of 
color felt amid a variety of plants. Isolated plants, however, may be 
often used delightfully in half-wild planting against rocks or walls, along 
the borders of streams and ponds, amidst wild plants and ferns or 
grasses, or wherever else they can be given a background in harmony 
with their form and color. 
