60 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
thrown out by the frost, or winter-killed, without it. It 
may also be planted in the spring, and also in June; but 
when late planted will require shading and watering. 
Box takes root freely from cuttings, and is sometimes 
used without root fibres; but, unless great care is taken, 
some of it will fail to grow, thereby making the edging 
uneven and full of gaps, and it will be found difficult to 
get it into good shape again. If it is to be raised from 
cuttings, it should be done in a bed by itself, where it can 
have the benefit of shading and watering. 
To make neat edgings, you should get some short, bushy 
box, and let it be slipped or parted into moderately small 
slips, of not more than six or eight inches in length, divid- 
ing it in such a manner that each slip shall have more or 
less roots upon it, rejecting such as are destitute of them, 
for planting by themselves. If any have long, straggling 
roots, they should be trimmed off, and the plants should be 
made pretty much of a length. 
It is to be premised that the margins of the beds have 
all been properly levelled or graded; then they should be 
trodden lightly and evenly along, to settle them moderately 
firm; if for a straight edging, stretch the line along the 
edge of the bed or border; with the spade make up any 
inequalities of the surface, according to the line; then, on 
the side of the line next the walk, let a small, neat trench 
be cut, about six inches deep, making the side next the 
line perfectly perpendicular, turning the earth out toward 
the walk or alley. 
For a curving margin, a strip of board, an inch wide 
and twelve or fifteen feet long, with pegs attached by 
screws or nails, at various distances along its length, so 
that it can be made fast in the ground, to correspond with 
the design, may be used instead of the line ; but some work- 
men are so expert, that, having the design transferred to 
the ground, they will proceed with accuracy without such 
