230 Championship Hedging Competition. 



shears should never be used ; they do not make a clean cut, 

 and cause the fence to become cankered. January and February 

 are the best months in which to do this work. 



5. When the fence is fully grown and in the right shape, 

 very little cleaning of the bed will be necessary, grass and 

 weeds can be easily cut out as occasion requires with a fagging 

 hook. 



6. When a field is being ploughed, two or three furrows 

 should always be turned towards the fence. This will protect 

 the roots and thereby encourage the growth of the fence. 



7. When a field is about to be temporarily pastured, the 

 fence should not be cut on that side, the retention of the brush 

 prevents stock injuring the fence, which can be cut back into 

 shape again when the field goes under tillage. 



It must alivays he remembered that fences are for use, mid 

 not merely for ornament. 



Layering Fences. 



1. Cut off, with an upward stroke if possible, the brush on 

 the ditch side of the fence only, in order that the man may be 

 able to work. 



All the brush must be left on the field side, so that when 

 the fence is layered it will prevent stock (especially horses) 

 reaching over to bite the young shoots which are growing from 

 the stools and also from getting their heads under the binder 

 and lifting it off the stakes. Any pieces which are superfluous 

 can be cut off after the work is completed. 



2. Cut off level with the ground, by a downward stroke of 

 the axe or bill-hook, all dead and decaying stumps ; and root 

 out briar, elder, and other undesirable plants. 



3. Thoroughly clean the bank or bed of the fence before 

 commencing to layer. 



4. The most vigorous young rods should be selected for 

 layering, but it is a mistake to thin out the rods before actually 

 bringing the wood down, as if only the number required for 

 layering are left and some are damaged in working, weak places 

 in the fence will be the result. 



5. The rod should be brought down hy giving it a down- 

 ward cut about four inches from the ground on exactly the 

 opposite side to the direction in which it is desired to layer it 

 and just deep enough to allow of it being bent over into 

 position ; the small piece standing up should be cut off with an 

 upward stroke, so that there may be no place left for water to 

 lodge and cause the layer to rot. 



6. No live stakes should be allowed to remain in the fence. 



7. The stakes used should as far as possible be cut out of 

 the fence itself, but in a competition time would mot allow of 



