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REPORT ON HEDGEROW TREES. 1 09 



them be from 2 to 3 feet in height, and plant out in nursery- 

 rows 2 feet apart, and 1 foot plant from plant in the row. Let 

 them stand thus for two years, care being taken meantime to 

 shorten all the side shoots of gross growth, and to keep the 

 ground clean, &c. After remaining in this way for the time 

 mentioned, they should then be lifted about the month of 

 March, and neatly pruned, all straggling roots being cut back, 

 which will cause the plants to throw out more fibres, and so 

 materially assist in the growth of the tree. As the several 

 varieties prosper, let them have sufficient room, by sizing them 

 carefully, and planting again in nursery rows, this time giving 

 3 feet between the rows, and the plants 2 feet or even 3 feet 

 apart in the row, if ground be no object. But the distance either 

 way can be easily regulated by the size of the trees ; contact 

 with each other ought to be avoided, and room afforded for other 

 two years' growth. And in such matters circumstances are a 

 much better guide than mathematical precision as to feet and 

 inches, for of course the larger trees require more space than the 

 smaller. 



In four years, and with the treatment above described, the 

 trees ought to be in capital condition for finally planting out ; 

 and before being lifted for this purpose, pits should be dug for 

 their reception, of about 3 feet in diameter on an average, which 

 will allow plenty of room to get the roots properly laid in and 

 equally adjusted. Pack the earth pretty firmly amongst the 

 roots, which should be covered all over about an inch, then drive 

 in three stakes at right angles round the roots, leaving about 2 

 inches of these above the surface of the earth covering the roots. 

 Get three pieces of ordinary railing and nail to the stakes, keep- 

 ing the railing pretty firm on the top of the roots; and when this 

 is done, fill in the remainder of the earth, which will cover all 

 up, leaving no appearance of staking. This method will save a 

 vast deal of trouble in time coming, being much more effective 

 than the ordinary staking, as it holds the tree firmer, while at 

 the same time the stakes are put out of sight and cause no ob- 

 struction. Should the soil be of a stiff or clayey nature, some 

 good common soil should be procured to plant with, that the 

 trees may have a fair chance at starting. 



As a rule, in lining off where the trees are to stand, I would 

 prefer to place them about 2 feet in front of the hedge, rather 

 than in the line of hedge itself, and for the reason, that when 

 they are put in line and become of some size, they are apt to 

 make gaps and spoil the appearance and usefulness of the fence. 

 But by being planted in the manner proposed, these objections 

 are obviated, and the fence preserved in the best possible condi- 

 tion. 



All being finished in the manner above stated, there remains 



