1 6 FORMATION OF KITCHEN GARDEN 



that the formation of walks, borders, etc., be done 

 with great exactitude, otherwise the result will be dis- 

 appointing ; it is therefore needful to have a plan ac- 

 curately drawn to scale. 



Edging for the Walks. The beauty of the vegetable 

 garden depends in a large degree upon the nature of 

 the edgings. Tiles are a mistake, as they are easily 

 broken, and always apt to be accidentally knocked by 

 wheel-barrows, carts, etc., while they always have a 

 hard, and even ugly look. Grass edgings entail much 

 labour to keep trim as they get trampled upon. A 

 beautiful mixed border on either side of the centre 

 walk is a great gain. It may contain a host of things 

 for cutting and thus save the flower garden proper from 

 disturbance. 



Much may be said in favour of the Box as an edg- 

 ing ; it is evergreen, very hardy, of compact and pretty 

 growth, does not harbour slugs, etc. , to the extent that 

 larger-growing plants do and is almost indifferent to 

 soil. If properly clipped and attended to, a Box 

 edging may remain undisturbed for twenty years or 

 more. It should be clipped regularly and evenly in 

 the early spring, and should again be gone over in the 

 summer to remove any ragged or loose growths. Plant 

 it close to the gravel, and so cover the bare stems that 

 they are not visible when the planting is done. It 

 should be three or four inches high when finished, and 

 when established should not be allowed to grow more 

 than about eight inches in height. A line will of 

 course be necessary, so as to plant it quite straight, 



