t.f Grafs Land Planting. Hedge-row Timber. 6 1 5 



There is anoiher point not lefs requisite to be attended to in young plantations, 

 \vhich is that of filling up the vacancies that are can fed by the dead plants. Where 

 the ground is kept perfectly clean, this may be done at any proper feafon ; but in 

 other cafes, when the dead plants cannot be fo eafily detec ted, it fnay be better to 

 delay the bulinefs to the third or fourth year, when the deficiencies can be more 

 perfectly afcertaincd. If this fort of bufmefs be done too early, many plants arc 

 frequently removed that would have thrown out from the bottom, en account of 

 their not being dead in that part, though wholly gone in the top. 



The plants employed in filling up the plantations (hould never be too large, as, 

 \vhcre that is the cafe, they are more liable to die. 



There is another kind of planting which is frequently practifed, but the propriety 

 of which dill remains a defideratum. This is that of letting the hedge-rows with 

 trees of the timber kinds. Some contend for the utility of the praclice, on the 

 grounds of the degree of fhelter and ornament that is afforded, as well as its being 

 a means of railing much ufefu 1 timber at little or no expenfe; while others condemn 

 it as highly improper and difadvantageous, on the principle that much injury is 

 not only done to the crops, efpecially \vhenofthe grain kind, both by the dropping 

 and the fpreading of the roots, but alfo to the hedge, in the places where they (land, 

 by their producing gaps and openings. But though fome inconvenience and in 

 jury may be fuftained where this fort of planting is much in ufe in arable diftri&s, 

 yet fromthefe being in a great meafure capable of being obviated by proper train 

 ing and pruning, and from the naked appearance which is exhibited without them 

 in a country, but more particularly from thevaft benefit that may be derived in the 

 way of timber j* it would feem that fome extent of planting in this method (hould 



* It has been obferved by Mr. Midtlleton, &quot; that it would not be an eafy matter to make an accu. 

 rate eftimate of the advantages to be derived from fuch a meafure ; but in order to gain a flight idea 

 as to the quantity of hedge-row timber, let it be confidered that, in \rell-inclofed, hedged, and cultivat 

 ed diftri&s, the hedge-rows occupy from a twentieth to a tenth of the whole furface. Even includ 

 ing the common fields, and cultivated Hopes and borders of fheep-downs, the average quantity of land 

 occupied by hedge-rows at this time amounts to a twentieth, or two millions of acres : all of which 

 might probably, be made to produce timber : more than half of it, however, would no doubt do fo 

 by only trimming the lowed fide-branches off to the height of ten, twelve, or fifteen feet from the ground, 

 This would permit the air to circulate freely ; give every advantage to the occupier s crops, and would 

 leave fufficient tops upon the trees for all the purpofes of growth and rural ornament. Under ma 

 nagement like this, the hedges would every where prefent healthy, vigoroufly-growing, and handfome 

 timber ; would add very much to the prolit of the land-owner 5 to the fecurity of the country ; and 

 to the pleafures of the traveller, 



