Feb.] FLOWER-GARDEN. 165 
Dress and dig the Borders, Beds, Sfc. 
When the weather permits, let the flower beds and borders, in 
general, be thoroughly cleared from weeds, and from every kind 
of litter; for neatness in those parts of the garden is agreeable at all 
times, but more particularly at this season. 
Therefore, let the surface of the beds and borders be lightly and 
carefully loosened with a hoe, in a dry day, and let them be neatly 
raked; which will give an air of liveliness to the surface, and the 
whole will appear neat and very pleasing to the eye, and well worth 
the labour. 
Likewise if any borders, beds, &c. were not dug last autumn or 
winter, it should now be done, ready for the reception of flower 
plants, seeds, &c. and that the whole may appear fresh and neat. 
Prune Flowering-Shrubs. 
Finish pruning the hardy deciduous flowering shrubs, where 
wanted. In doing this work, observe to cut out all dead wood; and 
where any of the branches are too long, or grow straggling, let 
them be shortened, or cut off close, as you shall see necessary; and 
likewise, where the branches of different shrubs interfere, or run 
into each other, shorten them, so that each may stand singly, and 
clear of another; then all the different shrubs will show themselves 
distinctly and to the best advantage. 
When the shrubs are pruned, let the cuttings be cleared away, 
and the ground be neatly dug between, and about all the plants, 
observing to take off all suckers arising from the roots. Nothing 
looks better in a shrubbery than to see the ground neat and fresh 
between the flowering shrubs and ever-greens, 8cc. especially in 
such clumps and other compartments where the shrubs stand 
distant. 
But as sometimes particular parts of a shrubbery are on some oc- 
casions required to form a close thicket, in that case veiy little pru- 
ning, or digging, &c. is wanted. 
Care of Grass Walks and Lawns. 
Grass walks and lawns should be kept extremely clean; in dry 
weather, as soon as the greater winter frost is ovei", roll them with 
a heavy roller, to settle the earth which the frost had hoved up. 
Gravel Walks. 
Keep the gravel walks perfectly clean and free from moss, weeds, 
or litter of any kind; let them be well rolled, to settle them after 
the winter frost, whieh will give them a fresh and neat appearance, 
and render them comfortable for walking on. 
