204 THE YOUNG FARMER'S MANUAL. 



what style of hedges shall be adopted, as different styles of 

 hedges require very different treatment. 



STYLE OF HEDGES. 



270. Hedges may be made to grow in almost any form desired, 

 but it is always best to imitate nature, as far as convenient and 

 practicable ; and, especially it is best, when greater efficiency is 

 secured by adopting a given style. The tops of all trees and 

 plants assume a conical form more than any other, in their natu 

 ral state. If some other form for the tops of trees were more 

 desirable, they would unquestionably assume that form. But, 

 as a hedge cannot be trained in a conical form, we must adopt 

 the style nearest to it, that of a pyramid. The quicks are trained 

 to a single stem, sometimes, for a few feet high, and then the top 

 is sheared in the shape of a pyramid. Sometimes two or three 

 rows of quicks are transplanted in a hedge row, in which instance 

 they are trained to a thick mat, as it were, from the ground, with 

 sides perpendicular, sometimes, for a few feet high, and then of a 

 pyramidal form ; and sometimes it is trained of a pyramidal 

 form from near the ground to the top. Sometimes the sides are 

 kept perpendicular, and the top is square across, or flat. But 

 this style is considered objectionable by our best hedgers. Some 

 times the hedge is trained or sheared in the shape of a sharp- 

 pointed egg, with the point upwards. But whatever style may 

 be adopted, 



THE PRUNING AND TRAINING 



271. Must be attended to in a proper season, or one may at 

 once abandon the idea of making an impassable barrier for even 

 small stock. "We must not be afraid to cut off a fine growth of 

 sprouts for fear it will require a year longer for them to attain that 

 height again. Depend upon it, this is the most important opera 

 tion in rearing hedges. The quicks need to be cut off, time after 

 time, in order to give them size and vigor. If they are allowed 

 to grow, from year to year, without being cut down, the hedge 

 will be thin in places, and the sprouts will be tall, slim, and easily 

 demolished by animals. 



