64 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



are favourable, a hedge, in about six or eight years' time, makes 

 a barrier impassable by sheep and cattle. 



In planting thorns, the rules applicable to other forest trees 

 should be observed — thus the roots must be placed in a natural 

 position, not being bent to one side, and they should not be 

 planted more than, say, half an inch deeper than they stood in 

 the nursery lines. This half-inch allows for the subsidence of the 

 soil in which they stand. But where there is any excess of 

 moisture, the soil at the roots of the plants should be slightly 

 higher than the adjoining ground, so as not to leave, after 

 subsidence, a depression where water can collect. 



Protection of the Young Hedge. 



The best time to plant a hedge is when the field, on one side 

 at least, has just been ploughed out of "ley," and one or more 

 fallow crops are to follow. A protecting fence on that side need 

 not then be erected until the field again comes into pasture or a 

 green crop of turnips. Where heavy stock is grazing, an 

 ordinary fence of stobs and wire will do, but, in the writer's 

 opinion, the best fence for the purpose is that known as the 

 Woven Fence. 



This is made in rolls that can easily be handled, and it can be 

 erected or taken down in a very short space of time. A stob or 

 iron standard is necessary every 18 to 20 ft. only. Very efficient 

 fencing material, about 3 feet wide, can be bought for 3|d. or 4d. 

 per yard (without standards) ; and this with barbed wire on 

 top is quite sufficient to turn the heaviest stock. When the 

 hedge has become strong enough, the fence can be rolled up and 

 taken elsewhere to serve the same purpose. Where sheep are the 

 only stock to guard against, sheep-netting or hurdles can be 

 employed, according to the districts where each is principally 

 used. Where rabbits are numerous, wire-netting of a small 

 mesh may be necessary, if the plants are cut over after planting 

 out, or if they are put out too young ; but if plants such as 

 described before are used, rabbits can do very little damage. In 

 the case of a plantation hedge, protection will be needed on one 

 side only. 



Cleaning. — To keep a hedge in a proper state entails much 

 attention. From its earliest stages onwards it should be kept 

 clear of rank grasses and other weeds, such as gorse, etc., which 

 grow up and smother it, preventing the young shoots from 



