160 MY FARM. 



hemlock hedge of wanton luxuriance. A cit; gar 

 den could never yield the breadth it demand , but 

 upon the farm, the complete and graceful projection 

 it gives, is well purchased, at the cost of a few feet 

 of land. Kor is much time required for its growth ; 

 five years since, and this hedge of four feet in 

 height, by two hundred yards in length, was all 

 brought away from the wood in a couple of market 

 baskets. 



The importance of garden shelter is by no means 

 enough considered. I do not indeed name my own 

 method as the best to be pursued ; flanking buildings 

 or high enclosures may give it more conveniently 

 hi many situations ; a steep, sudden hillside may give 

 it best of all ; but it should never be forgotten that 

 while we humor the garden soil with what the plants 

 and trees best love, we should also give their foli 

 age the protection against storms which they covet ; 

 and which, in an almost equal degree, contributes to 

 their luxuriance. 



To the dwarf fruit, as well as to the grape, this 

 shelter is absolutely essential ; if they are compelled 

 to fortify against aggressive blasts, they may do it 

 indeed ; but they will, in this way, dissipate a large 

 share of the vitality which would else go to the fruit. 

 Young cattle may bear the exposure of winter, but 

 they will be pinched under it, and take on a weazen 



