THE MAGAZINE 



HORTICULTURE. 



APRIL, 1838. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. Live Hedges. By Wm. Kenrick, Newton. 



Live hedges constitute the most durahle and effectiial, as 

 well as the most beautiful fences known, when properly managed 

 and trained. A perfect hedge should form a barrier, close and 

 compact to the surface of the earth. But every thing depends 

 on proceeding aright in the beginning; it is rarely we see a hedge 

 perfectly well trained, and managed, in all respects, as it ought 

 to be. 



Mr. Russell, in one of your late numbers, has given some ex- 

 cellent directions for their management, — -I have therefore little 

 only to add, and shall make but a very few bri f remarks. 



The most suitable time for planting a hedge is in spring. The 

 ground should be prepared in the autumn previous, by throwing 

 out the upper or black soil to the width of three feet: this may 

 be in part effected by the plough. The yellow or sub-soil is 

 next to be cast out, to the depth of eighteen inches from the 

 surface, and to be thrown away to a distance. Early in spring, 

 fill in the trench with black loam, intermixed with a suitable por- 

 tion of compost manure, the whole to be thoroughly incorpo- 

 rated with the soil. 



The plants should be strong, of two or three years growth^ 

 and such as have been before transplanted are to be preferred. 

 These are to be sized; all of equal size being placed contigu- 

 ous; one third of their tops, and no more, may be cut off at the 

 time of planting. The trees are to be set in a single row, at 

 the distance of eight or nine inches asunder, by a stretched line. 

 Larly in the spring of the second year from |)lanting, proceed tf) 

 fill all gaps, from trees which should always be in reserve, and 



VOL. IV. NO. IV. 16 



