t^92* ^ "^"^ ^'"^ offence. 263 



^conducted, some of these sweet briars will make flioots 

 of four feet in length the first year. 



It will be necefsary to be at some pains to pull out by 

 band, the first year, any weeds that may spring up be- 

 tween the rows ; and to hoe down those that may spring 

 up on either side. 



The poplars will make flioots equally vigorous as the 

 sweet briar J so that the first year some of the young 

 fhoots will be from two to three feet in height. Any (hoots 

 that spring out from the stem will rise up perpendicularlr, 

 so as to form a secondary kind of ribs. These, if laid in 

 by the hand once a-ycar, so as to bring them on the in- 

 side of the original stems, will in time acquire strength, as 

 the original ribs do, so as to resist any force. The sweet 

 briar, which, of itself, '.vould fall dangling to one side, is thus. 

 kept firm and upright in the center j the Ihoots which pufli 

 through between the ribs, ought to be cut off with a 

 hedge (heers once a-year. The hedge being thus wider 

 at the bottom than the top, will always continue greea 

 and vigorous. The poplars will gradually afsume the 

 size and strength of trees, so as to be utterly impene- 

 trable by any force. At top they will send out a vast pro- 

 fusion of vigorous llioots, not lefs than three or four teet 

 high, and of proportional thicknefs, each year ; so that if 

 these tops be lopped off every second year, they wjU af» 

 ford an immense profusion of brufti wood, which may be 

 employed as fuel, or for any other purpose wanted. 



After the first year, the crois rail at the top will be no 

 longer wanted. Indeed, where cattle are not to be put 

 into the field the first year, it is not necefsary at all. Nof 

 is it advisable to put cattle into the field the first year ; for 

 althcMigh it may be a fence, yet as the fiioots of the pop- 

 lar are smooth, and the leaf liked by cattle, they will 

 brouse upon it, and render the fence Icfs sightly than it 

 otherwise would be. 



