' BOX EDGING. 229 



wall, for the sake of the trees, any scruple as to the 

 burying of stones; and there ought to be none as 

 to the trouble of a two feet excavation; for every 

 cart load of earth so saved is worth money, and the 

 convenience of depositing stones in placeof the earth 

 will save a great expence of carriage. Box, though 

 tiresome if there be no other, is by far the best 

 edging for general use; but the planting of it is 

 often bungled or done at a needless expence. Take 

 up with a spade a portion of the edging that has 

 grown too old, and part the roots: one yard of the 

 old will serve for ten of the new a supply that is 

 not obtained from the nurseries without cost. In 

 parting, tear all the old bush down into the smallest 

 shreds; throw away every one that is thicker than 

 a crowquill; and cut off all the roots beneath the 

 uppermost tier of fibres a single fibre is enough ; 

 with none the plant may do, but it is not neccessary 

 to try it. The plants so trimmed should be about 

 four inches in length. Having filled the excava- 

 tion with stones, all to four inches left for gravel, 

 on either side of the walk, dig the surface, set the 

 line to a nicety, using many pins at every turn, to 

 make the windings easy, bring the level exactly to 

 the line, and beat all smooth and firm, so that the 

 earth may stand cutting. With a trowel, cut by 

 the line to the depth of three inches, pulling the 

 earth towards the walk; and lay the green tops of 

 the plants to the line, setting their heads above 

 it, not more than one inch, and all touching one 

 another. The roots will vary a little in depth, but 



