Ch. XLIII.] ON HEDGES. 537 



of earth nine inches wide and three inches deep from out of the intended 

 ditcl), and invert it upon this space — lay it neat and level, cut off the tops 

 of the thorns two inches above the root, and, if needful, sliorten the tap- 

 root. Place the jilants, so cut, four inches apart betweeen plant and 

 plant, in such a manner that the tops may ajjpear exactly above this 

 " coopini::;" cover the roots first with another spit of earth from the sur- 

 face of the intended ditch, and then sufficiently with next best soil from 

 the same place ; but do not overload the roots with earth. If a drain is re- 

 quired, the soil or clay should be carted off, and spread upon other parts of 

 the land ; no bank ought to be formed near to the fence or drain. 



It is of great advantage, if possible, to grow a fallow crop for the 

 breadth of four yards immediately behind the quick-wood, for three or four 

 years after it is planted ; — but this cannot be effected by thej)louph, if it 

 be necessary to guard the quick-wood on the further side from tlie ditch ; — 

 in this case, however, where only a small extent of fence is planted, the 

 space between the guard fence and the quick-wood — which ouglit not to be 

 less than five feet — may be allotted to cottagers to plant with potatoes. This 

 will greatly promote the rapid growth of the fence. 



A hedge planted in this manner requires, in order to render it a fence in 

 the shortest time, a little judicious pruning. It should be considered that 

 the main strength of a hedge consists in the 7inyieldijig stoutness of the 

 principal stems ; and to have these of the requisite strength, they should 

 only be moderately pruned on each side, cutting out the strongest branches, 

 which act as rivals to the stem, but never topped until they have acquired a 

 diametric bulk of one inch at th.e height of three and a half feet from the 

 ground. When this strength of stems is obtained, the hedge is complete 

 as a fence against all kinds of cattle vvliich are not high leapers, and will 

 so continue for many years, with no other labour than what may be 

 annually given by a keen trimming-hook, or by shears, to keep it from 

 uselessly spreading. 



Many fine young hedges are ruined by being too frequently headed 

 down at dift^'rent heights in their youth. It should be remembered that 

 every individual thorn in a hedge is like a single tree planted on a lawn, 

 both of which are wished to rise into full strength and stature as soon as 

 possible ; but this result can surely not be obtained by repeatedly cuttinof 

 off the head of either one or the other. When a sufficient number of stems 

 can be once made to rise from the bottom of the quick either in the first or 

 second year, the leaders should never be cropped till they have gained the 

 requisite strength ; for by so doing a thick mass of spray is produced 

 which, to the eye, appears a barrier, and, for a short time, a fence against 

 sheep, but not against a mounted sportsman, who will trample it down, or 

 against heavy cattle, which, in browsing, press through it. Besides, by 

 heading down before the stems are sufficiently strong, the hedge becomes 

 top-heavy from the abundance of spray, which shades, and eventually kills 

 that below, rendering the stems naked at bottom, through which pigs, or 

 lambs, or Welsh sheep soon make thoroughfares. 



Another advantage of planting and training a quickset-hedge, as above 

 stated, is not only its constant efficiency as a fence, but also in saving the 

 septennial expense of the hedger and ditcher in remaking. Such a hedge, 

 moreover, occupies the least possible space, harbouro but few birds, nor 

 does it repel either sun or wind. 



That such a hedge occasions considerable expense during the first seven 

 years of its growth must be admitted, seeing that it must always be de- 



