12 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY. 



SECTION II. FENCING. 



Fencing is used for nurseries and woods. Whether 

 it is required for the latter depends on the extent to 

 which a particular species is exposed to attacks by 

 cattle or game. Erecting fences is ordinarily one of the 

 heaviest items of expense in the formation of woods, 

 and it is essential to select in each case that kind which, 

 while meeting the necessary requirements, involves a 

 minimum outlay. 



The number of different kinds of fences which are in 

 use or have been suggested is very great. It is not in- 

 tended to describe these here in detail, as a practical 

 knowledge can only be obtained out of doors. It will 

 suffice to enumerate the principal kinds, and to give 

 illustrations of a few, which seem specially adapted for 

 sylvicultural purposes.* 



1. Hedges. 



Hedges are formed of a great variety of trees and 

 shrubs, of which, for temperate Europe, the following 

 may be mentioned : Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Beech, 

 Furze, Holly, Laurel, Yew, Box, Privet, Barberry, 

 Hornbeam, Birch, Elder, Spruce and Silver Fir. 

 For sylvicultural purposes Hawthorn, Beech, Horn- 

 beam and Spruce are perhaps most to be recom- 

 mended. Several years will elapse, however, before 

 they can protect an area efficiently against cattle or 

 game; hence they must either be planted beforehand, 



* A detailed account of fences will be found in " The Forester," by James 

 Brown, 5th edition, pages 98 170. 



