60 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



inches deep and about the same distance from each other. 

 That operation was performed by myself and man in about 

 three hours, the cuttings having been previously brought upon 

 the ground. In a few weeks they began to throw out a multi- 

 tude of shoots, which were permitted to grow through the 

 season. The next spring, after leaving out, they were cut down 

 to within about three feet from the ground, and the same 

 process continued each consecutive spring until June, 1866, 

 (the annual growth being from seven to ten feet high,) when a 

 portion — say about five — of the branches were bent down and 

 placed in a horizontal position, and a continuous rope-like line 

 on one side, commonly termed a wattle by foreigners, was 

 twisted the whole length of the line, being about two and one- 

 half feet high from the ground. Another similar wattle was 

 made about fifteen inches higher than the other, and two others 

 of similar character were made on the other side, which, when 

 completed, appeared at a short distance like four large ropes 

 about fifteen inches perpendicularly and two feet horizontally 

 from each other. All of the remainder of the twigs were 

 clipped off from the sides and above the wattles. The time 

 spent in performing the whole operation, as above described, was 

 less than fifteen hours. The very rapid growth from the wattles 

 and other branches required a second clipping, which was done 

 a few days previously to being examined by your committee. 

 The expense of labor on the aforesaid hedge has not exceeded 

 fifteen hours per annum. It is now a good protection as a 

 fence, and is very generally admired. 



The writer, of course, is unable to determine how long it will 

 last ; but with proper care he believes it will retain its useful- 

 ness as a substitute for a fence, and add to the beauty of rural 

 scenery, for a generation at least. It is probable that the clip- 

 pings may be of value for wicker-work, as the young branches 

 have from time to time been laid under contribution (without 

 even saying " with your leave,") for that purpose. 



The writer has another line of hedge of about twenty rods in 

 length of the same character, commenced last spring, leaving 

 the cuttings, however, but about one foot high, and about the 

 same distance from each other. This kind of hedge would not 

 probably thrive on Aery dry land ; but on low and even worth- 

 less land for cultivation the willow would thrive and well repay 



