HEDGE-ROW TIMBER. . 115 



early stage of their existence, and in consequence, 

 premature old age is brought on. To the absence 

 of early training, may be attributed much of what 

 is seen to be wrong in the present condition and 

 quality of Hedge-row Timber, but much more to 

 the vile practice of mutilating the trees, which 

 almost every where obtains. There is, indeed, in 

 some quarters, such perfect indifference manifested 

 about the well-being of the trees, that free licence 

 is allowed to the tenants of the land to do as they 

 will with them : and free use they make of it, as 

 may well be supposed, and as is abundantly evi- 

 dent in all such places. And why should it be 

 otherwise ? It has so long been the practice, and 

 it is so far out of their way to really understand 

 the matter, that farmers may well be excused. 

 They cut off the roots, and reduce the extent of 

 the branches, of their enemy, in self defence; and 

 without having the remotest idea that they are 

 doing so serious an injury to the property of their 

 landlords. This is fully proved by the fact, that 

 they treat their own trees in precisely the same 

 way. It is, then, to the indifference that has 

 hitherto been manifested by the proprietors of 



