320 * THE GARDEN. 



always a good plan, we have now no manuring to do. 

 First, cut off all dead stems of herbaceous plants, and 

 clear up the border ; some prefer to do this in autumn ; 

 this is only advisable where the flower garden is in the 

 immediate vicinity of the house, where the dead stalks 

 would present an unsightly appearance during the win- 

 ter. If we have no such good reason, it is far bet- 

 ter to leave the stalks and dead leaves on the plant, 

 as they serve as a great protection against the winter's 

 cold and sun. 



The border being cleared, it should be dug over, a 

 foot deep, with a sharp spade, the ground levelled, and 

 the earth well pulverized ; care must be taken not to 

 injure any herbaceous plants ; if they are a little cov- 

 ered it will do no harm, as their tendency is to grow 

 out of the ground ; and if too high, they must be taken 

 up and replanted. Now is the time to divide them, 

 which may be done with the spade or with a sharp 

 knife. 



If you have grass edgings, they should be neatly cut; 

 this may be done with the spade, or with one of the 

 tools made expressly for this purpose. 



If you have not manured the border in the fall, now 



