122 Live Hedges. 



shorten every tree to within three or four inches of the ground, 

 and during summer they will each throw up from two to four 

 strong shoots. This operation should never be performed at the 

 time of planting, as trees thus shortened, and cut down at plant- 

 ing out, and befoie they have taken root, are liable to die, or to 

 become stinted, growing feeble and throwing out not more than 

 two or perhaps only one feeble shoot. 



In the third year, and early in spring, cut down anew those 

 few over bearing shoots, as Mr. R. has directed, which incline 

 to ascend above the rest; and give the hedge a very moderate 

 pruning, with a sharp and keen instrument, in form of a bill, 

 striking upwards, and never apply the shears to a hedge. Lower 

 the top shoots a little, to compel the hedge to expand at the 

 sides, rising to a point at top, and assuming the precise form of 

 a very sleep, sharp-pointed roof; this form is given to the hedge 

 by the eye, and is to be forever preserved. 



Early in spring, as soon as the frost is out of the ground, is 

 the most suitable time to prune the hedge, lowering the top at 

 each annual pruning, sufficient to cause suitable expansion at the 

 sides. Thus, in about five or six years from planting, a hedge 

 the most beautiful may be formed, of as many feet in height, 

 which will finally become impassable to man or beast. So im- 

 passable may a hedge be formed by this mode, as to exclude 

 even a rabbit or a cat. 



During the first kw years, the ground must be kept clean to 

 the distance of three feet on each side, until of sufficient strength, 

 and cattle must be excluded until this period. When hedges are 

 pruned flat on the top, and vertically at the sides, snow is not 

 only liable to lodge on the top during winter, but the lower limbs 

 perish for want of sun and air, and rain and dew, and the hedge 

 becomes imperfect at bottom; and in time the lower limbs inva- 

 riably perish, leaving naked and unsightly stems. 



Early in spring, and just after the frost is out of tlie ground, 

 and before vegetation commences, is the most suitable time to 

 shorten in the hedge on both its sides, and to cause it gradually 

 to assume the suitable form as before described. Straggling 

 shoots may be occasionally shortened during summer. But a 

 regular and complete pruning, or dressing, should never be given 

 to a hedge during the summer months, or during the occasion of 

 its rapid growth, as this causes a sudden stagnation of the sap, 

 and operates to stint or to ruin the growth of the hedge. A 

 tree cut down early in spring, will start up vigorously from the 

 root; but a tree cut down or severely topped during June, July 

 or August, commonly dies outright, or, if it lives, it sustains ir- 

 reparable injury. 



The English white thorn docs not bear well our summer's 

 sun, and is therefore unsuitable. It is also liable to be annoyed 



