TREES OF AMERICA. 137 



in their operation, that they are very seldom 

 made use of, except to ornament churches and 

 rooms at Christmas. In England, hedges are 

 very often made of a small kind of holly, and 

 very beautiful they are too." 



" What are hedges. Uncle Philip ?" 



"Fences made of small trees and shrubs 

 planted close together in lines ; they are not 

 much used in this country, but why, I am 

 sure I do not know, for they are much more 

 handsome than fences either of stone or wood, 

 and they last longer, too, and keep cattle out 

 better." 



" Perhaps it is because they take a long time 

 to grow high enough, Uncle Philip." 



" Perhaps it is ; but whatever the reason 

 may be, I should be very glad to see the 

 fashion of making hedges introduced : in 

 England you will see twenty hedges to one 

 fence ; and they add very much to the ap- 

 pearance of the country. You have eaten 

 sorrel, I dare say, very often." 



" Yes, sir ; it is very sour and nice." 



" And did you ever meet with a tree with 

 leaves that tasted exactly like sorrel ?" 



" No Uncle Philip : I never heard of any 



