8l 
Whereas, were we, as is usually the custom in this country, 
to round off the top, we should have the stems near the root 
naked and bare, with wide intervals, allowing free ingress 
and egress to all kinds of destructive stock. 
When we wish to fill up gaps in a fence of this kind, it is 
requisite, after preparing the soil, to make a selection of 
healthy vigorous plants. Previous to putting them in the 
ground, we ought to cut down those on each side to a short 
distance from the surface, so that an opportunity may be 
afforded for the new plants to establish themselves. 
When a hedge has been neglected, and allowed to grow 
up high, it is still capable of being formed into an useful 
fence. For this purpose, it must be cut down close to 
the ground, at the same time loosening the soil about the 
roots. If this be done, numerous shoots will soon make 
their appearance; which, if pruned into the shape formerly 
recommended, will shortly form a Dronsifn) and sufficient 
fence. 
5. We now come to the Logwood (Hematorylon Campe- 
chianum), another excellent material for fence-making. It 
may be raised from seed or suckers. The plants employed 
should be at least a year old. Previous to planting, we 
ought to assort them, separating the weak from the strong, 
so that plants in different states of size and strength be not 
placed together, the consequence of which would be, that 
the hedge would not be uniform in growth, the stronger 
individuals becoming luxuriant and outgrowing their neigh- 
bours, which would soon become sickly and die. On the 
contrary, when the plants are in the same condition of health, 
and of the same age, as those around them, they go on 
together keeping pace in their growth. "The system of prun- 
ing recommended for the Lime applies equally to the Log- 
wood. It should be allowed to stand untouched till the end 
of the second year, or till it has attained the height at which it 
may remain. We are then to trim the lateral branches, leaving - 
those at the bottom long, and pruning gradually shorter as 
we approach the top. If treated in this manner, it forms a 
hedge superior to almost any other, not excepting even the 
VOL. III. G . 
