SHRUBS. 253 



flag, or even of slight bars of cast-iron. In slirubberies 

 and large flower-plots, verges of grass-turf, about a foot 

 in breadth, make a very handsome border to walks. 

 These should not be allowed to rise high above the 

 gravel : an inch and a half may be assigned as the limit 

 they should not exceed. The grass is kept short by re- 

 peated mowings, and the edges are defined by clipping 

 with shears, or cutting with a paring-iron. 



Shrubs. — Much of the beauty of the pleasure garden 

 depends upon the proper selection and disposition of 

 ornamental trees and shrubs; and it is to be regretted 

 that this department of the art has often been greatly 

 neglected. In many English gardens we still find only 

 a few evergreens, and a parcel of rugged deciduous 

 species, introduced probably before the age of Miller. 

 No wonder, therefore, that we sametimes hear complaints 

 of the insipid appearance of the shrubbery. Neverthe- 

 less, shrubs are highly elegant in themselves, and they 

 afford a most efficient means of diversifying garden 

 scenery.' Of the many beautiful species now to be had 

 in Britain, and aff^ording the materials of exquisite de- 

 coration, we can mention only a few. For extensive 

 lists and for much general information, we may once 

 more refer to the work of the late Mr. Loudon, a new 

 and improved edition of which has been published by 

 his talented widow, well known in the literary world 

 for her varied writings, and especially for her popular 

 treatises on Botany and Floriculture. 



Of Evergreens, besides the Common Laurel (Prunus 

 Laurocerasus) and the Portugal Laurel (P. Lusitanica.)^ 

 we have noticed the American Arborvit.03 (Thuja occi- 

 dentalis), as adapted to large masses of shrubs; and the 

 Chinese Arborvitfc (T. orientals), whose size and mode 



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