PLANTING. 145 



breadth ; and the position the person stands 

 in, when chopping, is less irksome than it 

 would be, by using any other tool. 



It may be necessary to remark, that, if 

 the weeds, &c. are not cut annually from 

 the beginning, or at most every second sea- 

 son, perhaps the spade might not be effec- 

 tual ; and consequently, a greater expence 

 might be incurred by the necessity of using 

 the whin-axe or bill-hook. Of this, I have 

 had proof sufficient to determine me in fol- 

 lowing the above practice. 



Besides whins, broom, bramble, briar, &c. ; 

 in many soils, ferns rise luxuriantly, and, if 

 not destroyed, choak the trees. Where this 

 is the case, the plantation should be gone 

 over at least twice in the course of each 

 summer, until the plants are no more liable 

 to injury ; and the pits, or a space around 

 the tree as above, should be cleared ; using, 

 for this purpose, the semicircular weed-hook. 



Finally, After bestowing the expence and 

 trouble of planting, fencing, and the neces- 

 sary accompaniments, with-holding, for a 

 few seasons, the farther trifling expence of 

 keeping the plants clear and unincumbered 



