MANAGEMENT OF OLD TREES - 55 
at the top, these should have a line stretched length- 
ways along the ground, another along the base of the 
battlements, and another along the top of the battle- 
ments; and whatever size and width the battlements 
are, say, for instance, two feet high and two feet in width 
between them, a stick cut exactly two feet in length 
or a two-foot rule should be used to measure the exact 
height and distance between the battlements; and if 
those precautions are taken, any person with a fair 
knowledge of the art of clipping can hardly with ordinary 
care and attention get wrong; as, after all, the work of 
clipping Topiary trees is not so difficult as might be 
expected. 
There are several points that should always be 
remembered. Symmetry and shape are necessary to make 
a good tree; and this may be said to be the first and 
most important factor in the work. Another point is to 
take particular care that the shears do not cut off more 
than is necessary. By that I mean, never to allow the 
shears to cut deep enough into the tree to make a 
hole. Another very important point to aim at is to give 
the tree as smooth and even an appearance as possible 
after the work is finished. I am perfectly aware that, 
in a large collection of yews or other clipped trees, there 
are always some that it is impossible to clip properly, on 
account of weak growth, or some other cause. For 
instance, trees that are growing in a part of the 
garden where they are fully exposed to wind and storm 
are almost certain to get into an unhealthy condition. 
The growth becomes weak and stunted, or perhaps the 
branches get worked out of place, or even die out 
altogether. In the case of trees of that description, no 
matter how much tying is done or how carefully they 
are clipped, they can never be made to have the same 
appearance as those that are full of young growth and 
are in a healthy and vigorous state. 
