WILD BXMOOR. 27 



these hedges, which are not far apart, as 

 the road is narrow, and the sense of heat 

 is further increased by the slightly red tint 

 of the dust. The hedges are ten feet high, 

 and as much through, and beech grows 

 close with well-leafed sprays, so that al- 

 though the ascent is continuous, increasing 

 elevation does not bring coolness. This 

 impenetrability is of advantage to the cattle, 

 sheltering them from storms and breaking 

 the force of the tremendous gales which 

 blow over Red Deer Land. 



All the hedges beside the roads and about 

 the fields are beech, for hawthorn will not 

 grow to any height; the soil or the climate 

 does not suit it, and it always remains thin 

 and stunted. Beech springs up quickly and 

 makes a very beautiful hedge to look at, 

 especially in spring, when the leaf is in its 

 first fresh green. These hedges grow above 

 walls of loose stone, earth is banked against 



