On Hedging. | 31 
determined height, according to the stature and strength 
of the hedge, he is to cut straight into it with the shears, 
so as to leave a good strong stubbage, out of which the 
next or fourth year’s shoots are to arise. The sides of 
the hedge may also now be trimmed a little next the top 
—the bottom being still spared to favour its extension. 
If it has grown well, it will now be about three feet in - 
height after it has been trimmed—in order to- have a 
stout thick hedge, the more gradually it is permitted 
_ to rise it will ultimately prove the stronger and more 
equal throughout. 
At the end of the fourth year the hedge may be 
brought into its proper shape, by a judicious manage- 
ment of the shears. When the top is finished, the sides 
are to be shorn in a sloping direction : but where neat- 
ness is only a secondary object, the breadth of the hedge 
towards the bottom is to be impaired as little as possi- 
ble, it being always the most difficult to get the lateral 
twigs to extend themselves outwards, the sap naturally 
inclining to ascend in the upright shoots, and the shear- 
ing of the sides does not stimulate their growth as is 
effected on the tops by cutting them. 
The main purpose of trimming hedges, that are mere- 
ly intended for fences, is to bring each individual plant 
into an equality of strength and stature; but such as 
are intended for ornament as well as for use, are to be 
kept constantly trimmed, at least once a year. Ona 
strong soil, when the hedge is in its fifth year, if the 
shoots are large and rank, it may be trimmed about the 
latter end of June, when it has generally terminated its 
annual growth. It will be much easier to cut the hedge 
