242 TR.\NSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



the ro\v with a coinmoii g^arden rake, draw ing the rake across the row 

 the way the plants are leaned. This desti'oys any weeds which may be 

 coming- in advance of the plants, removes any crust which may have 

 formed, and leaves the hedge in nice order for after cultivation. The 

 -cultiviition, the first year particularly, should be verv thorough, as this 

 is the only means of insuring the life of the plants and the success of the 

 hedge. 



After the foregoing considerations have been complied wiUi, the 

 ground verj' deeph' and thoroughly pulverized, and sufficient drainage 

 insured, if the ground is frequently stirred and kept free from weeds and 

 grass, no drouth whicli we are likel>- to have, will prevent a good stand 

 -and a fine growth. There is probably no better mode of cultivation tlian 

 to take a one-horse i^low and throw the dirt away from tlie hedge, plow- 

 ing quite close to tlie hedge, but taking proper care not to run under, or 

 otherwise disturb the plants. Then follow with a hoe. removing all 

 •U'eeds and grass which the plow may have left. You may then turn 

 witli the plow, and throw the soil back again, as it would not be prudent 

 to lea-\-e the hedge for a great while with the soil thrown from it. By 

 this course you ^^'ill secure the best results, and prevent that excessive 

 "bedding up" of the hedge row which Ave sometimes see. After the 

 first year very little hoeing vi^ill be required — the plowing, if nicely done, 

 being generally suffieient. .Let one thing always be borne in mind, that 

 to insure the best hedge in the shortest time, it must be \^c'^\.ioeU "joorked^ 

 and free fro?n weeds. 



I should not advise any pruning until the plants arrive at a proper 

 size for plashing, which, to insure the best results, should be as large at 

 the ground as a common hay-fork handle. If plashed whilp too small, 

 strong shoots will start up from .the stump, and supplant and destroy the 

 original trunk. The plashing sliould be done before the sap rises in the 

 spring, otherwise the bark will slip in handling and the growth will be 

 injured. 



Trim the sides to enable you to get to the hedge, then with a light 

 axe cut the plants half oft' at the ground., and press them back on the 

 hedge at an angle from the ground of say 30 degrees to 40 degrees. 



If laid too flat, the flow of sap is so obstructed that it will be diverted 

 from the main ti'unk and centered upon a vertical shoot from the root, 

 while the original plant will die. It also fails to jnake a hedge of suffi- 

 cient height, if laid very flat. 



While plashing, a plant should be left oecasionally, say once in ten 

 'feet, to prevent strong cross winds from displacing the hedge. These 

 plants should be trimmed up to the height vou wish the hedge, and cut 

 -off", and the hedge pressed back on them, part on one side, and part on 

 the other. 



Wlien the hedge is laid down, it should be trimmed to a uniform 

 height and thickness, after which one trimming each year, in lieat of 

 summer, before the wood begins to ripen, will keep the hedge within due 

 .bounds. 



This yearly pruning niay be done with a good corn knife, if nothing 



