Boxing Off Turf

Where turf has been cut to an uneven depth by machinery or if cut from a sward using a turfing iron, then the turf would be placed upside down in rectangular, 3-sided, shallow wooden tray (about 40mm in depth, but his could vary depending on needs and design) and the excess soil would be trimmed off using a sharp blade, traditionally a scythe. Care was needed as the blade was firmly held by hand at each end and carefully pulled towards you, typically at waist height.