FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 149 



And when trimed, and plashed, they will stand somewhat 

 after this manner : 



In the plashed state, as thus exhibited, the young trees, 

 after having been headed down, as before mentioned, are 

 supposed to send out at least two sprouts from each tree, 

 which number, and no more, are to be trained up, the rest 

 being cut away, Of the shoots thus trained, every fourth 

 one is to be left standing erect, and the others are to be 

 bent downward, as above exhibited, and wove alternately on 

 each side of the upright shoots, in the manner of weaving 

 threads in making common cloth. 



Perhaps it might be as well to bend down every other 

 shoot, and weave them among those left upright, in the 

 manner just mentioned. It would seem that the shoots 

 thus bent down would, in most instances, require to be 

 tied to the upright shoots, where they cross these, in order 

 that the former might more readily be confined till they 

 become enured to grow in that position. 



For the method of raising thorn, see THORN. 



Such, or something similar, we conceive to be an outline 

 of making a hedge of thorn, in the most perfect manner; a 

 work commonly easier imagined than executed; not from 

 any particular difficulty in ^performing the mechanical part 

 of the operation ; but, from what too often happens, the 

 failure of having the young growths exactly as you would 

 wish them to stand and flourish. 



The failure of one or two trees in a "place produces a 

 chasm in the fence ; and this at first is only to be obviated 

 by some temporary method of filling up the gap ; as it must 

 at least require time to make any aftergrowth supply the 

 place of trees which may be missing. 



With all the imperfections, however, to which hedges 

 may be liable, we consider them a much safer protection to 

 the growing crop, and, generally speaking, less expensive, 

 than the wooden fences which at present are commonly 

 made in this Country. 



Instead of placing the hedge, a substitute is recom- 

 mended by Mr. Main, of Georgetown, which he has 

 found effectual. This is to cut or trim the top of the 

 hedge down to an even height, of about three and a half, 

 or four feet, and then to lay thereon light durable poles, 

 tied together at the ends ; and presently the new shoots 



