Mr. VHommedieuon Ditches and Hedges. 105 



If we may judge by the great mortality of the prim and 

 Englifli black thorn, the thorn of this country will not be fo 

 liable to diforders as fhrubs which are imported from Europe. 

 It anfwers but little purpofe to have ditches unlefs you have 

 hedges to fupport them. The wild cherry is of quick growth, 

 and bears lopping, but Is eafily deflroyed by cattle who are 

 fond of the leaves ; this is the cafe with the locuft tree. It is 

 found that where lands have been cleared, and young oaks, 

 walnut, or any other trees that will bear lopping, have been 

 left, they have anfwered well for a hedge by lopping the fame 

 on a ditch, and is a good fence againfl cattle and flieep. I 

 would recommend the fetting out any kind of young trees, 

 that will bear lopping, of two or three feet in length, which 

 will be fit to lop on the ditch two or three years fooner than 

 if raifed from the feed. I have lately gone into this practice, 

 and make no doubt of its fuccefs. If the pom^ace of apples 

 is fcattered in ditches^ the feed will come up, and if kept from 

 the cattle a few years, will be fufficiently grov/n to expofe to 

 cattle, who will bite the tops, and prevent then- growing, 

 higher -, they will then grow thick and thorny, and make a 

 very good hedge. Lafl year I ftrewed all my pomace in ditches 

 for this purpofe. I have feen young apple trees put in a ditch, 

 that is, the bank, between the fods or turfs, when the ditch or 

 bank was making : they grew well, and being expofcd to 

 eattle, became a good hedge, and well fupported the baiik,- 



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