House and Garden 
formed. This can be done by frequent 
transplanting. The stock is ready to move 
from the seed-beds after it has attained the 
age of from two to three years, and acquired 
the height of from twelve to twenty inches, 
according to the variety in question. At the 
time of transplanting, the deciduous plants 
should be cut down to within two inches of 
the collar, the collar being the line between 
the root and the top growth. From this 
point numerous shoots will push forth and 
give the desired bushy and compact form. 
The plants will be ready to set out in per¬ 
manent positions after they have been trans¬ 
planted one full year. Two-year stock, how¬ 
ever, is frequently used where extra strong 
material is required. In selecting the stock 
therefore secure only transplanted, cut-down, 
healthy plants, as one of the chief objects in 
all hedge work is to secure a dense growth 
close to the ground. Plant sufficiently deep 
to bring the old collar below the surface, 
so that the young shoots formed by the 
transplanting previously mentioned will come 
directly from the surface. This will give 
the appearance of a bunch of plants rather 
than a single one. 
To avoid crowding and at the same time 
secure a dense hedge, it is advisable to set 
the plants in a double row, placing them 
alternately. The distance between the plants 
naturally depends entirely on the kinds used. 
A good general guide is to space them so 
that there is about an inch between the foli¬ 
age after the pruning. 
Directions for planting are those applicable 
to any ordinary nursery stock:—Finely pul¬ 
verized, dry soil should be used, placed 
among the roots and well settled before the 
remaining soil is added. A thorough mulch¬ 
ing of the entire surface disturbed will not 
only fertilize the soil but assist in retaining 
the moisture. 
After setting, it is advisable 
to again cut back deciduous 
plants to within two or three 
inches of the former pruning 
to secure an abundant growth 
directly from the ground. 
Having secured a strong, 
luxuriant growth, the next 
serious problem is to keep the 
hedge in this condition. In 
the case of a high hedge, the 
anxiety to secure the desired 
end rapidly is often the cause 
of producing an unsatisfactory 
result. Most plants make a 
strong leading shoot and small 
side branches. It is with the 
latter that the carefid pruning 
should start. From the effects 
of shearing here, numerous 
new shoots will be formed 
with practically the same 
growth as before—that is, 
leading and side branches. By 
taking the location of the side 
branches as a guide for cut¬ 
ting, the stock will develop 
rapidly into a compact and 
satisfactory hedge. No prun¬ 
ing of an evergreen hedge 
should be done after the first 
ALTH/EA OR ROSE OF SHARON 
(Hibiscus Syriacus ) 
