230 PLANTING OF BOX. 



let a few plants be held exact at the top with one 

 hand, whilst the earth is applied to the unequal 

 roots with the other. The reverse rule of evenness, 

 providing for the roots and notthe tops, is frequently 

 adopted ; hence the straggling appearance that en- 

 sues; some leaning out, and others in; some set 

 like a tree, having a stem from which branches pro- 

 ceed, and others having branches sunk up to the 

 middle. The effect is a strong feeling of indigna- 

 tion; and remarkable it is, that though correctness 

 of lining be of small repute in matters of taste, yet 

 where a line ought to be and is designed few things 

 are harder to be endured than unmeaning devia- 

 tions as in the case of ill-set teeth, or the attempted 

 dash of a clumsy handwriting. Box may be planted 

 in September, October, or November; in February, 

 March, or April. To wet clay, brought up by new 

 trenching, coal ashes may be added ; and to avoid 

 rotting by long moisture without growth, the plants 

 may be set in May or June. 



For other edging sea-pink is very good, but it 

 soon gets deformed with blanks, unless taken up 

 and replanted : whereas box, annually clipt in 

 autumn, will serve for the half of a lifetime: Lon- 

 don-pride admits of paring, and will last for five 

 years: coarse polyanthus or primrose does well be- 

 neath trees. Should the root of an old tree come 

 in the way, it is easy to keep up the green line by 

 planting periwinkle, which needs little soil, or ivy 

 at some distance, and leading the runners past the 

 tree, where they will take root all the way, and 



