It may be observed that many shrubs which appeared little the worse of the severe winter, are now showing signs of distress. Laurustinus, common and Portugal Laurels, are the worst we have seen. Where they are much injured, they had better be cut well back; and if a mulching, and above that a coating, of rich loam and rotten manure well mixed, be given, they may be much assisted to make a free and healthy growth from the bottom. Where plants are quite dead, the sooner the ground is cleared of them the better. Early flowering shrubs and berry-bearing kinds, such as Cotoneaster Simondsii, may be cut well back; they will break out and make fine fruiting shoots : but if size is no object they are as well let alone. We adopt a system of cutting back Lilacs, Thorns, Ribes's Laburnums, mock Oranges, and numerous others when done flowering, which keeps a good variety on the space allotted to them, and no crowding takes place. Some prefer this season for transplanting evergreen shrubs. When done quickly and carefully they get well established during the summer.

Some good soil next the roots, made firm and well soaked with water, then covered over with dry soil, will keep them right, and growth takes place at once. Stakes should be firmly placed when trees and shrubs are large enough to be affected by the wind. Young shrubberies should have the surface of the soil well hoed, and all made neat and orderly. Coniferae, which have lost their tops and more than one leader forming, may have the most central and best one left, and the others reduced or cut out.

Shrubs #1

Planting of the Evergreen class will now be well advanced where means and time can be spared for such. It is always well to get the roots well started in the fresh soil during autumn. Late-planting taught many a lesson last year to planters which they will not soon forget. Trees and shrubs which did not get a hold of the soil early were hard dealt with during the winter; and the dry spring experienced in so many parts put the finishing stroke on them. Well-trenched ground, good-sized pits to give all freedom to root-growth, and a quantity of fine healthy soil placed with them at planting time, are matters which may not be termed labour in vain. Thorough staking is very essential; the wires forming a cone placed round the stem, which is well padded with cloth, hay, etc, and fixed so that the one prevents the other from drawing the tree from its position. To keep the plant entirely independent of wind, is the best method we know of keeping tops and roots secure.