288 THE PRACTICAL PLANTER. 



not bend, in a pliable manner, and after* 

 wards remain in due position, are snagged 

 half-through with the bill, to make them 

 more obedient. The strong stems, that can- 

 not be laid in, and are not wanted for stakes, 

 are cut close by the surface. In places 

 where stems strong enough, and fit for stakes, 

 are wanting, the deficiency is supplied by 

 dead stakes. After the plashing is finished, 

 the hedge is dressed smooth on both sides 

 with the bill, shears, &c. 



We can have no reasonable objection to 

 this mode, which is certainly the cheapest 

 and most easily performed ; except that the 

 stakes, or cut-over stems, shoot forth strongly, 

 to the detriment of the under part of the 

 hedge, which, by over-shadowing, they re- 

 tard in growth, and keep naked of spray. 



This probably suggested an improvement, 

 now pretty generally followed, namely, cut- 

 ting none over at all, but weaving in the tops 

 of the stakes along with the plashers. The 

 propriety of this mode is at once evident ; 

 for, besides that the above complaint cannot 

 possibly attach in this case, the stems cut by 

 the surface send up a strong growth, which, 



