MARCH] FLOWER GARDEN. 31 1 



thereto ; when the edging is planted, let any inequalities of the top 

 be cut as even and neat as possible with a pair of shears. 



Where there are any gaps in the former planted edgings, let them 

 now be made good ; for, when ragged and uneven, they have a dis- 

 agreeable appearance. 



Or where any old edgings of several years' standing have been 

 permitted to run up rude and spreading, nothing in a garden looks 

 more unsightly ; and should be taken up, slipped, trimmed, and re- 

 planted in a neat, regular order. 



For an account of the various plants generally used for edgings 

 and the methods of planting them, see the Flower Garden next 

 month. They may all be planted towards the latter end of this, if 

 the weather proves favorable. 



PLANT HEDGES. 



Finish planting all the kinds of deciduous hedges as early in the 

 month as the weather permits, and if the season proves very favor- 

 able, you may, in the last week thereof, plant evergreen hedges. 

 For the methods of doing which, see the Nursery for this month. 



China arbor-vitae forms a very ornamental hedge for a flower 

 garden. The American makes the best hedge. 



CLEAN THE PLEASURE GARDEN. 



Every part of this garden should be now well cleaned and put into 

 the best order. Give the flower borders, beds, &c., a general spring 

 dressing, by digging, hoeing, and raking; let the edgings of box, &c., 

 be regulated where disorderly, and the gravel-walks be well cleared 

 from weeds and litter, and occasionally rolled. 



Keep the grass lawns, walks, &c., now well cleared from litter and 

 worm-cast earth, which appears unsightly, and spoils the compact 

 evenness of the sward; give them, therefore, occasional rollings with 

 a heavy roller, whereby to preserve a clean, even, firm surface, neat 

 to appearance, and that can be mowed close and regular with greater 

 facility. 



The edges of all the grass walks and lawns should now be cut 

 even with an edging-iron (see page 91), which will add greatly to 

 the general neatness. 



MAKING GRASS-WALKS AND LAWNS. 



The sooner in this month that you can make any grass-walks, lawns, 

 or grass- plats, that may be necessary, the better ; as the roots will 

 have time to establish themselves before the great droughts and heats 

 commenee. Turf, when it can conveniently be got, is always pre- 

 ferable to sowing grass-seed, but in extensive lawns, the latter, of 

 necessity, must be resorted to. The best turf for those purposes, is 

 that of a close-fed pasture or common, where the sward is tough, and 

 the grass short and fine. 



This natural turf is generally composed of Kentucky blue grass 



