feeding at the same time, they
will throw up strong young shoots, full of vigour, which will bear fine
and well-coloured flowers. Of course, a season of blooming will be lost
by doing this, but it will be amply compensated for in after years by a
healthy plant in place of a decrepit and unsightly one. The list
appended includes practically every flowering tree and shrub _hardy_ in
this country, with the proper time of pruning it. Those not specified
flower on the old wood.

When shrubs that by nature flower freely and are rightly placed with
regard to soil and position refuse to bloom, root pruning will sometimes
effect an alteration.

[Illustration: _CEANOTHUS AZUREUS AT KEW._]

ABELIA.--This genus is barely hardy, and, in most localities, is usually
pruned sufficiently or too much by frost. A moderate thinning of the
shoots in spring is sufficient.

ACANTHOPANAX.--There are three species of this genus hardy in this
country, and of these _A. ricinifolium_ requires no pruning beyond the
cutting away of side-shoots to a single stem, as it attains the
dimensions of a tree in Japan, its native country. _A. sessiliflorum_
and _A. spinosum_ are low-growing shrubs, and require an occasional
thinning out, which is best done in late summer to allow the remainder
to thoroughly ripen before winter.

[Illustration: _CEANOTHUS AZUREUS, VAR. MARIE SIMON._]

ACTINIDIA.--A climbing genus, easily grown in warm, sheltered
localities. They require very little pruning, but should be watched in
spring when growth has commenced, or the twining shoots will get into a
tangled and unsightly mass. Any growth not required should be cut away
in winter.

AESCULUS (Horse-Chestnut).--The common representative of this requires
little or no pruning, but the other species are benefited by a thinning
out of misplaced and useless branches in late summer to allow light and
air to the centre of the tree. This is especially important to all the
Aesculus in a young state. _Aesculus parviflora_ should have a good
thinning if the branches or suckers become at all thick, cutting all
growths not required clean away from the base.

AKEBIA.--"_Akebia quinata_ has flowered here, on an east wall, profusely
for the last seventeen years, under the following pruning treatment:
Cover the space allotted with the strongest shoots, and when new growth
pushes from the eyes or spurs in the spring, do not regulate it, but
summer-prune away all superfluous growth be