THE MANSE GARDEN. 205 



the formation of walks : and judging by what may 

 often be seen, as well as by the trouble of cleaning 

 those that are ill made, few things connected with 

 the garden are worthy of a more particuliar notice. 

 In making walks amongst shrubs and flowers, dry- 

 ness and variety of edging are the chief things to be 

 promoted there not being here, as along a fruit 

 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 con- 

 venience of depositing stones in place of the earth 

 will save a great expense 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 expense. 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 necessary 

 to try it. The plants so trimmed should be about 

 four inches in length. Having filled the excavation 

 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 



