E D G 



E D G 



Globe Thistle; 3. E. slrignsin. Annual Globe 

 Thistle. 



The first lias a perennial root. The stalks 

 nianv, lour or five feet high. The leaves long 

 andjacsrcd, tlivided into uk-.mv segments almost 

 to the~inidiib, the jags ending in spines; they 

 are of a dark-gicen on their upper side, but 

 woollv on their under. There are several glo- 

 bnlar heads of flowers on each stalk. Tiie florets 

 are coninionlv blue, ijiit somelinies white. These 

 come out in July, and the seeds ripen in Au- 

 gust. It is a native of France, See. 



It varies with white flowers. 



The second species has a perennial creeping 

 root, sending up several strong stalks two feet 

 hich, and branching. The leaves cut into many 

 fiire setrnients to the midrib. Each branch is ler- 

 niinated bv a glol)ular head of flowers, smaller 

 than those of the first, and of a deeper blue, but 

 sometimes white : they come out in July. It is 

 a native of the South of France. 



It also varies with white flowers. 



The third is an annual plant, with a stiff white 

 stalk two feet high. The leaves divided, ending 

 in manv points, which have spines ; their upper 

 side creen, covered with brown hairs, their 

 under~side white and woolly : the stalk is ter- 

 minated bv one large head of pale blue flowers, 

 appearing in July. It is a native of France, Sec. 



Culture. — These plants are readilv increased 

 by sow inc the seeds in the autunin in the places 

 where the plants are to grow. When they are 

 come up in the spring, they should be properlv 

 thinned and kept free from weeds. Some of the 

 strongest plants may likewise be removed to 

 other situations. In the third sort the seeds are 

 better sown in the early spring. 



They are well suited to afford variety in the 

 large borders of gardens or pleasure-grounds, as 

 tiicv succeed in almost any soil. 



EDGING, a range of small, dwarf, evergreen 

 plants, as box, thrift, Sec. closely planted on the 

 side of borders or beds, for use and ornament. 



Thev are particularly necessary to such bor- 

 ders as immediately verge walks or allevs of 

 gravel, sand, shells, or other loose materials; 

 to pr^.serve the earth from being forced out upon 

 them. Thev arc likewise neat and useful as 

 divisions in the flower-garden betw cen the beds. 



The first of these is the most effectual ; easilv 

 kept in order, and the most durable : retaining 

 its leaves and full verdure at all seasons, pro- 

 spering in all soils and situations, being never 

 hurt bv any weather, and endurii:g many years 

 close and recular, with the culii.rc of merely 

 clipping once' or twice every summer at the top 

 and sides. 



The latter also grows very close, low, and is 

 in verdure all the year; flowering beautifully two 

 uionths ID summer, but is apt to spread out of 



bounds, requiring to be reduced bv cuttincr in 

 considerably on eich side, or by replaniiii'r it 

 afresh every two or three vears. It is necissary lo 

 trim it a little with carden-^hears on the sides and 

 tops every summer as soon as it has done flow - 

 cring, cutting off and removing all thewithenil 

 flower-stalks, which is best perfoimcd during 

 moist weather. 



There are several other plants of low srowth, 

 such as daisies, pinks, chamomile, London- 

 pride, catehfly, eversrrcen flowerv perenmals, 

 that arc sometimes emploved as edgings, w hich 

 have a pretiv effect wlien in flower: but as in 

 one year they spread greatlv out of compass, 

 they should be taken up and re-planted every 

 spring or autunm, particularly the daisies. 



IDwarlljushv annuals are also sometimes sown 

 for summer edsings in small gardens, such as ilie 

 dwarf virsin-stock, hcart's-ease, caiulv-tufi, and 

 several other low, bushv, annual flowers ; but 

 he first is the mo^t suitable, as it grows low, 

 oushy, and does not ramble ; is very flowerv, 

 and continues long in bloom. Some sorts of 

 shrubby aromatics are likewise used — as thvme, 

 savory, hyssop, sage, lavender, and rue, all of 

 which are evergreen, and mav be kept low by 

 close shearing ; but then thev are liable to be- 

 come voodv, stubbed, and naked. 



Parsley is also a good everirrecn cd-rinc; for 

 the edges of the quarters and borders of kitchen 

 gardens: and strawberries are occasional Iv plant- 

 ed for this purpose ; and where the runners \n 

 summer arc kept trinniied in close, the p!anis 

 have an agreeable appearance when in blossom 

 and fniii. 



In the planting or forming cdgincs — if box, 

 the plants are generally jilaced in small, perpen- 

 dicular trenches, close together, so as at once lo 

 form a complete edging. Thrift, daisies, pinks, 

 8:c. are commonK' planted by dibble, at about 

 two or three inches distance in the line, thonirh, 

 to form a cr.mpaet edging at once, thev mav be 

 planted so close as to touch each oiher. I'uik- 

 edgings mav be formed bv sowing the seed in a 

 drill along the edge half an inch deep, suflering 

 the plants to remain; and annu-d flower edginas 

 are formed in the same manner : thvme, savorv, 

 and hyssop edeings mav either be formed Lv 

 sowing the seed, or bv pjar.ts or slips; saije and 

 lavender, chiefly by planting young slips; and 

 rue in the same wav, or bv seed. 



All the shrubbv kinds of edgings should be 

 neatly shorn or clipped with garden-shears, at the 

 lop and sides, every year in summer ; and some 

 sorts require it twice in that time, to preserve 

 them perfeetlv neat, such as box. 



These sliould never be suflered to exceed two 

 or three inches in width, nor above three high ; 

 and those of thrift and the other herbaceous 

 plants are not to get more than three or four 



