50 Soil, Manures, Situation, and Enclosures. 



even the semblance of a hedge. Hence, the common notion that it 

 has proved a failure. 



Evergreen hedges are mostly employed as screens from observa- 

 tion and from winds ; but as intruders scarcely ever attempt to pass 

 where they cannot look through, perhaps they may yet be used as 

 efficient barriers. The American Arbor- Vitae is well adapted for this 

 purpose, but like the buckthorn, it will not grow well in the shade ; 

 hence, when closely sheared, the interior branches are bare. Instead, 

 therefore, of being sheared in the common way, it should be short- 



Fig. 55- 



Fig. 56. 



Trimming hedges. 



Fig. 57- 



ened back. The close growth of a smoothly shorn surface, darkens 

 and kills the interior foliage, as shown in Fig. 55. Fig. 56 represents 

 the same shortened back, or rather thinned back, admitting the light 

 within. Fig. 57 shows how this is done, the cut being made at a 

 fork b, or still shorter at a. 



The hemlock, although hardly stout enough for a hedge until it 

 has grown many years, forms one of the most perfect and beautiful 

 screens in existence, and it would prove a fine shelter for trees 

 against the wind. Its fresh, deep, green color is unsurpassed ; and 

 its denseness of growth in consequence of its quality of growing in 

 the shade, is scarcely equalled. The Norway spruce will probably 

 prove a fine hedge-tree. It grows with great vigor, and may be 

 freely shortened back. 



The Osage Orange grows rapidly if well cultivated ; and in order 

 to insure a perfectly continuous and even hedge, the young plants 

 must be allowed to swell their buds before they are set out, that all 

 dead and feeble plants may be rejected. The first winter a light fur- 

 row should be ploughed upon it, to protect and drain it at the same 

 operation. The soil should be kept deep and mellow by cultivation, 

 at least four or five feet on each side, instead of allowing it to grow 

 up with weeds and grass, as is usual ; and, if possible, it should be 



