Shrubs, Hedges, and Hardy Climbers 87 



near to the ground. This may seem like severe treatment, 

 but, as all trees or shrubs when planted closely tend to grow 

 only at the top, in no other way can a perfect hedge be 

 made that will grow a long time without becoming broken 

 and irregular from dying of some of the branches or even the 

 whole plants. After the necessary lateral growth has been 

 obtained the top should be cut a little higher each year until 

 the desired height has been reached. The point at which 

 to cut and the results of this pruning are illustrated in Figs. 46 

 and 47, the dotted line a showing the point of first pruning. 



Fig. 46. Fig. 47. 



Fig. 46. — Illustrates Cutting Back of a Hedge. 

 Fig. 47. — Illustrates Results of Cutting a Hedge. 



The effect of this pruning is shown in the three trees at the 

 right, the line a' showing where the second pruning should 

 be made. 



FORil OF HEDGES 



Of the many forms to which hedges are pruned, a satis- 

 factory and permanent growth will be obtained only by the 

 triangular or conical shape. Figs. 48 and 49. When the 

 sides are pruned perpendicularly, as in Fig. 50, there can 

 be but little growth except at the top, as at o; while in the 

 conical or triangular form the tendency will be to grow 

 upward from all points along the sides, as in the above 

 figures, the sides being thus kept well covered with foliage 

 and new growth. 



