APR.] SHRUBS. 485 



ably well kept, it is seldom necessary to cut them 

 down more than half to the ground. 



Of planting Box edgings. 



This is a proper time to plant box edgings, where 

 wanted ; and the middle, or end of the month, is 

 to be preferred. Indeed they will succeed very 

 well if planted about the beginning of May. If 

 they be rooted plants, the best way is to lay^ not 

 dibble them. But I have planted many thousand 

 yards of box, entirely slips, without any roots, 

 which have generally succeeded as well as rooted 

 plants. These I have sometimes had dibbled, and 

 often had laid ; but could never discover any dif- 

 ference in the success. The slips should be taken 

 off singly, and the smaller and shorter the better ; 

 that is, slips from two to four inches in length, not 

 cut, but gently torn off. They should be laid, or 

 dibbled in, at an inch apart, and be frequently wa^ 

 tered till they have struck root, and have begun to 

 grow 5 after which they will require no further 

 care. 



Of cutting Boa: edgings. 



Box edgings may also be cut about the beginning 

 of the month, or in the end of July ; which see. 

 They should, however, be cut once a-year, and 

 should be kept to two inches in height, and two 

 inches in breadth at bottom ; being tapered up to 

 a thin edge at top ; for nothing looks so ill as a 

 large, bushy edging, especially to a narrow walk. 

 The use of any edging is to separate the earth from 



