April'] BOX EDGINGS. 95 



firm with the foot; fill up, and water as directed for ever- 

 greens in this month. If the season is very dry, give it 

 frequent copious waterings. 



None of them should be topped for a few seasons, except 

 such as are much above the others in height, keeping the 

 sides regular and even by clipping or 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 labor to put into shape. 



Euovymiis japonica, bright green foliage of free growth 

 and quite hardy. There is also the variegated variety, very 

 excellent for hedges south of this latitude. 



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 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 below 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 line at 

 top. Edgings cut in this manner, every spring, will always 

 look well, and the trouble, comparatively, is a mere trifle. 



