540 



BRITISH HUSBANDRY. 



[Ch. XLIII. 



or small twigs, are added and entwined along the top — as at c c — in order 

 to bind the whole together. 









But no hed<Te can be projjerly made in which any dead wood is left. The 

 proper mode is by weaving the live wood in such a manner as to make an 

 impervious fence, when the hedge is required to divide grazing pastures. 

 In this case more of the old wood should be left than when the hedge is 

 intended to divide arable fields. In this latter case, the hedge should be 

 upright, so as to shade as little ground as possible ; but, in forming a fence 

 between grazing pastures, a considerable quantity of brush should be left 

 at the back, to prevent the oxen coming too near it, and by rubbing against 

 it, from breaking it down. 



All other old hedges may be re-made in the like manner, if they have 

 been sufl'ered to grow wild and disorderly ; but in all cases it should ever 

 be a question with the tenant, whether keeping a hedge down by the 

 pruning-hook and shears be not more economical than having to re-make 

 them, as above described, every seventh or eighth year. Made hedges, 

 from bein"- formed of so much dead stuff, are a great temptation to wood 

 stealers; the stakes and headers quickly disappear, and often before they 

 have been a month in use. This is a strong argument in favour of cut or 

 clipped hedges, as well for the comfort of the farmer as for prevention of 

 improper conduct on the part of the labourer. 



GAPPING. 



AVhen a breach is made in a hedge either by sportsmen or cattle, 

 the repair of the bank is made by deepening the ditch, driving a rank of 

 stakes, and wattling between them strong branches of thorns of any kind. 

 This work is usually assigned to the shepherd, who, for his own ease, is 

 necessarily anxious to keep his flock together. By many this business is 

 properly done ; but there are some careless gappers, who cut and slash 

 down the best parts of live fences, for the sake of repairing a faulty part of 

 a dead one. A hog, or creep-hole through a live hedge, is often mended 

 by thrusting a bundle of dead bushes into it; which is the only sure way 

 of making the hole or gap larger; for this effectually prevents any new 

 growth filling it up. Instead of closing it up with rootless rubbish, live 

 branches should be liooked across and across from the sides, and these 

 kept in place by stakes driven in closely together, till the layered branches 

 take the desired position. A gap, however, which is destitute of live stuff, 

 is best filled up by a transplanted bush of white-thorn, brought from any 

 waste corner where such plants may be found singly. AV'liole hedges may 

 be transplanted in this way ; and surely single plants may be substituted 

 instead of dead bushes. 



The ivild crab-apple free is sometimes used for hedges instead of the 



