The Agricultural Papers of George Washington 77 



laid in grass, which is sown, the hay will be pure and un 

 mixed with any thing hurtful to it. 



The giving way of the post-and-rail fencing proves, in a 

 strong point of view, the necessity of seeing that all which 

 is made hereafter be of a more substantial kind ; that is, the 

 posts larger, and the rails shorter; and it proves, too, the 

 necessity of what I can never too often nor too strongly 

 impress upon you, and that is, to begin and make a business 

 of rearing hedges, without the loss of a single season ; for 

 really there is no time to lose. Set about it effectually. I 

 am sure every plantation is now of sufficient force to spare 

 labor for this purpose ; not merely to scratch a little trench 

 along the banks of the ditches, and therein put a few seeds, 

 or cuttings, among weeds, briars, and every kind of trash, 

 which will prevent their coming up, or choke them if they do. 

 I would wish to have the seeds or cuttings of any thing tried, 

 rather than that the attempt should be delayed, as it has 

 hitherto been, from one season to another. 



Desire Thomas Green to date his reports. That of the 

 week before last I send back for explanation of his measure 

 ment of the sawing. I fancy it will puzzle him to make out 

 508 feet in the twenty-four plank there set down; for, as 

 plank, length and breadth only could be measured. This 

 would amount to no more than 296 feet. As scantling, 

 length and side and edge would be measured, and this would 

 give only about 310 or 312 feet. If he goes on at this rate, 

 he will, in appearance, amend their work, though it will not 

 in reality be any better. But, admitting that the true ad 

 measurement was 508 feet, this would make but a miserable 

 quantity for the time they were about it. That these people 

 (sawyers I mean) may have no pretence for such idleness, 

 not only get them two saws, but let them be of the largest 

 and best kind. I have already told you, that the oak scant- 



