APRIL.] FLOWER-GARDEN BOX EDGINGS. 211 



shearing once a year, either in this month or at the 

 end of August. It is better to keep the top (when they 

 have got to the desired height) pointed, than broad. 

 The latter method retains a heavy weight of snow, 

 which frequently breaks down, or otherwise deforms, 

 that which has cost much labour to put into shape. 



BOX EDGINGS. 



Where these have not been laid, this month is the 

 proper time. Do not delay the planting of such any 

 later. For ample directions see March under this head. 

 Clipping of these should be done about the middle of 

 this month. There will then be no danger of frosts to 

 brown the cut leaves, and the young foliage will not be 

 expanded. To keep these edgings in order, they must 

 be cut once a year, and never be allowed to get above 

 four inches high, and two inches wide. What we 

 consider the neatest edging is three inches high, two 

 inches wide at the bottom, tapering to a thin edge at 

 the top. It is very unsightly to see large bushy edgings, 

 especially to narrow walks. 



The use of edgings is to keep the soil from the 

 gravel, and the larger they are allowed to grow the 

 more ineffectual they become; growing more open be- 

 low as they advance in height. The operation may be 

 done very expeditiously by clipping the tops level, going 

 longitudinally along with shears for the purpose, called 

 " box shears." Strain a line along the centre of the 

 edgings, cutting perpendicularly from the line to the 

 bottom on each side, leaving only the breadth of the 



