FENCING. 



ground. In this case, the sides afe first to 

 be switched up with the hook, not altogether 

 close to the stems, but within a foot of them 

 on each side at bottom ; tapering up close at 

 the top, which should be from the ground 

 about four or five feet, according as the 

 height can be carried along most regularly 

 from one end of the fence to the other. But 

 if the hedge is thin at bottom, it will be ad- 

 visable to cut better in, in order to make it 

 bush from the ground upwards. However, 

 the top should be kept as much in line, and 

 on a level, as possible ; forming it into a 

 ridge by the strokes in cutting ; and forth- 

 with endeavouring to shape it in a manner 

 as directed in the preceding Section. 



If the hedge in question is not regularly 

 close, but ragged, and full of gaps from end 

 to end, the best method, in order to reclaim 

 it, is, to cut it over within eight or ten in- 

 ches of the surface ; to fill the roofless gaps 

 with stout, well-rooted plants ; to point up 

 the surface of the bank ; and to scour up the 

 ditch, as above-directed. As it rises, be at 

 all due pains in clipping and otherwise train- 



