44 



The white thorn is equal!}' attractive in early 

 summer, when bedecked in its white and sweet- 

 smelling blossoms, as with its red berries and in 

 its autumn dress. 



When seen in some exposed spot, with its 

 close rigid branches and stem, the hawthorn 

 looks a hardy little customer, impervious to the 

 severest weather; and so it is. Its botanical name 

 comes from the Greek word kratos, strength, and 

 it has been known to live for centuries. 



As a hedge plant for enclosing our fields, the 

 white thorn has no superior. The close and prickl}- 

 branches make a strong fence, and there is no 

 better wood for faggots or mending hedges. Its 

 value in this respeiSl has been known for several 

 centuries. It was first made use of in Great 

 Britain for the protection of young plantations. 

 Its natural suitability for fencing appears to have 

 been recognised when the Act was passed 

 for the " Preservation of Woods " in 1544, and 

 an old author, in giving particulars on enclosing 

 plantations in 161 1, says this should be done 

 " with a good ditch and quickset of white thorn." 

 In the present day, good white thorn fences on 

 our wood banks are rarely met with. This is 

 generally due to their being destroyed at one 

 period or another by rabbits. 



The white thorn is linked with an important 

 period in our national history. Its more extensive 



