WILLOW HEDGE. 203 



or stockade, provided you cut it down at a proper hight. I 

 prefer, however, in view of the rapid destruction of our timber 

 supplies, and the value of this wood when grown, to give it 

 more room, and after three or four years growth reducing the 

 number of stalks or branches to one to every two or three feet, 

 and if needs be, attaching thereto a barbed wire or two to 

 turn stock. 



WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO PLANT? 



If the ground is properly prepared and you plant deep 

 enough, by all means plant in Fall, say November. By so 

 doing the cuttings or poles — as the case may be — retain about 

 them a greater amount of moisture and are in a condition to 

 start earlier in the Spring than if then planted. But in a soil 

 like much to be found in the West, that is wet and heaves, care 

 must be taken that the cuttings, which of necessity are gener- 

 ally used, are put deep in the ground. If put under the surface 

 entirely, so that in the Spring you have to shake off some of 

 the top earth so as to expose the tips, all the better. The 

 cuttings too, should be a good size, about ten inches long and 

 at the small end about half an inch in diameter. Of course 

 Spring plantings will do Avell, but I would prefer the Fall, if 

 practicable, for reasons stated. 



PROPAGATING FROM POLES. 

 I invariably prepare my ground well by deep plowing, 

 as for corn. Then run a furrow where I want my hedge 

 or trees to stand, and on the bottom thereof lay down the 

 poles, bringing the tips in contact. This being done, I plow 

 another furrow on top of the poles, or plow back the one 

 already thrown up ; in doing which, so gear the horses that 

 they will stride the furrow, instead of the off horse walking, 

 as is usual, in the one cleaned out, as by so doing the poles will 

 be displaced. If this is done in the Spring, I proceed at once to 

 uncover, with the back or corner of a hoe, so much only of the 

 earth, by raking across the furrow, as is necessary to let in the 

 light wherever I want a tree. Ever so small an opening, 

 so I reach the pole, is sufficient. This will develop plants 



