PLANTING ON MOUNDS. 



79 



Neatly-cut verges are also much to be desired. Edging shears alone are not suffi- 

 cient for keeping them in a presentable condition. Every spring the edges ought to be 

 closely shaven. First flatten them with a turf beater, then strain a line along so as to 

 be just inside of any hollows there may be, keeping it in place with pegs, as shown on 

 page 72. When rounding curves use pegs freely for securing a smooth outline, then 

 with an edging iron or turf cutter neatly shave off all the turf outside the line. This 

 will leave a clean edge with a slight inward slope, and each time the verge is mown, 

 protruding grass can be rapidly cut with either edging shears or a machine made for 

 the purpose. Annually shaving off the edge is liable to unduly narrow the verge, and 

 to widen the walks or drives. This can be remedied by cutting through long lengths 

 of the turf, drawing rather wide strips out, making them level and firm, then filling in 

 behind with fresh turf, and edging as before. This plan answers much better than trying 

 to place fresh strips on the outside of the old turf to gradually crumble away. 



MOUNDS AND DELLS. 



"While flat even surfaces may not be objected to by all persons as characteristic 

 of the ornamental portions of their gardens, yet mounds and dells in appropriate 

 positions impart picturesqueness, and may also serve other desirable purposes— mounds 

 facilitating the masking of buildings which may be the reverse of ornamental ; dells 

 forming secluded retreats that are often particularly enjoyable. 



When it is desired to form mounds to be planted with trees and shrubs, either 

 for hiding obtrusive buildings or affording diversity — and they may do both at the 

 same time — nothing should be wasted that may be of service in forming them. Excava- 

 tions for buildings and cellars afford materials that may be utilised for the purpose ; 

 and, in the absence of these, the necessary amount can be dug from thoughtfully- 

 chosen positions, and thus both dells and mounds may be formed at the same time by 

 the mere transferrence of soil. A point to be remembered is that any hard stony 

 subsoil may form the core or basis of mounds, if covered with a depth of two feet of 

 fertile soil in which to plant. In all such work, then, let this be the line of action — 

 bury all the worst material, and reserve all the best soil for the surface. 



Instead of planting on the level, effective screens are obviously far more quickly 

 provided if mounds or ridges are formed where desired, wide enough to hold a 

 central row of tall growing conifers or other suitable trees, clothing the bank with 



