352 ORXAMEKTAL GARDE>'1NG. 



It should be done with care with a view to good form and 

 evenness, going over the work several times if need be. 

 Box Edging may be reset in x\pril or earlier. The 

 ground where the line is to come should be rendered firm 

 by treading or beating. Then a narrow trench is cut 

 with great precision, the unbroken part on the line of 

 the desired edging. The box plants pulled apart may 

 have the ends of roots and tops clipped off a little, and 

 then should be set along in the trench close together, 

 and projecting an inch above the surface of the soil. 

 Loose soil is then filled in by layers, and firmly trodden 

 against the plants, until the trench is full. The edging 

 should have the gravel of the walk brought up against it, 

 so that no soil will show on the walk side of the line. 

 If box edging is kept small by clipping — say to four or six 

 inclies in hight, it may last ten years without resetting. 

 The edgings should be clipped annually at this season. 



HARDY PLAXTS. 



These are benefited by being lifted, and divided if 

 large, and set in new positions every three years for 

 strong growers, and every five years for others. Clumps 

 of such kinds as make many fibrous roots and numerous 

 buds, may be divided with a sharp spade, leaving half a 

 dozen or more eyes on each piece. Those that have large 

 or coarser roots need more care. A knife should be used 

 on these, taking care that each piece of root to be reset 

 has at least one eye. 



FLOWER BEDS. 



Those to be planted with tender bedding plants may 

 be worked over and made friable as a preparation towards 

 receiving the plants later. By doing this now, the 

 ground will be in a fine condition at planting time, be- 

 sides the beds will look better if thus treated. See An- 

 nuals under March. 



