78 THE PLEASURE, OR [Jan. 
Likewise keep all grass-ground clear from litter, such as fallen 
leaves of trees, &c. which may be expeditiously effected by a light 
broom or besom on a long handle. 
The edges of all principal grass-walks, and those of grass-ground 
next to gravel-walks in particular, should always be kept close and 
even, and dressed once or twice a year at least, with an Edging-Iron; 
which ought to be made of the best steel, and kept very sharp: this 
instrument is made somewhat in a crescent form, and about nine 
inches in diameter, pretty much like a saddler's cutting-knife, 
rounded below at the edge part, and with a socket above, upright 
in the middle, in which to fix a straight handle of wood, about four 
feet long; with this instrument a man can dress as much grass- 
edging in a day, as three men with spades, do it much neater, and 
without wasting the edges of the borders. 
The above dressings ought particularly to be given, previous 
to turning the gravel-walks; at other times during the summer, the 
edges may be trimmed occasionally as the grass grows rank, either 
with a pair of garden-shears, or with shears made for that purpose, 
exactly in the form of sheep-shears, but a little larger, and longer 
in the blades. 
The shrubbery plantations, should generally all be suffered to take 
their own natural growth, and branch out into full heads, only just 
giving a little occasional trimming to any very irregular growths, 
such as retrenching or reducing any very luxuriant rude shoots, 
or considerable ramblers, running wildly from all the other branches. 
Cut out all dead wood and keep all the shrubs from entangling 
with one another, so as the head of each shrub may appear distinct, 
and show itself to proper advantage. 
The ground of the principal shrubbery plantations, in which the 
shrubs stand distant, not covering the surface, should be digged eve- 
ry year, late in autumn, or in spring; previously giving the shrubs 
any necessary pruning as above observed; this operation gives 
health and vigour to the plants, kills weeds, and gives the place an 
air of culture, and a lively neat appearance. 
After this general digging, the ground must be kept clean from 
weeds all summer, by occasional hoeing in dry weather, which with 
a scuffling-hoe may be expeditiously performed. 
Particular care must be taken of the flower borders, &c; they 
must be neatly and carefully dug in autumn, and pointed and dress- 
ed afresh in spring; and according as the various plants grow up, 
let such as need support have sticks placed to preserve them up- 
right; and as the herbaceous perennials and annuals have done flow- 
ering and their stalks decay, cut them down close, clearing off all 
decayed leaves and other rubbish. 
All kinds of hedge-work and detached trained figures of ever- 
greens should be clipped twice a year — that is to say, in June and 
in September; for without this, they will not have that neat hand- 
some appearance, that inspires admiration and does credit to the 
person under whose care they are. 
For further particulars see the work under this head in the differ- 
ent months. 
