On Hedging. 3 27 
and early in the spring of these periods, this examina- 
tion and supply must by no means be neglected, as 
upon a faithful closing up of such gaps at the proper 
time, depends the whole effect of hedging as a sufficient 
fence. When the plants in the hedge are grown large, 
it is very difficult to introduce a brother of their own 
kind amongst them, as the stranger will run more and 
more risque, the older the hedge is grown, of being 
stunted or destroyed by the contiguous plants... When 
from negligence or accident, any of these vacancies 
should happen to be left unsupplied until it is too late, 
the simplest and best remedy is to drive a stout season- 
ed stake of locust, cedar or other lasting wood, into the — 
ground where the plant ought to have been. The length 
of this stake need not be more than eighteen inches or 
two feet, where only one plant is.missing. And where 
the deficiency of a number hath left a wide gap, com- 
mon ingenuity will be able to find out proper ways and 
means to mend it with stakes or rails. But a hedge with 
such patches, particularly if they are numerous and_ 
large, will appear very unsightly, and be a lasting mo- 
nument of the mismanagement of its superintendant. 
CULTIVATION OF THE YOUNG HEDGE. 
Through the course of the summer it is to be cleaned 
from ‘weeds as often as may appear necessary. ‘lhis 
operation will be most expeditiously performed by 
horse labour ; the common plough will generally do 
very well, and any one who has ever ploughed in a field 
of Indian corn, ought to know without further direc- 
tion how to conduct this work to advantage. The fur- 
& 
