CHAPTER IX 



MISCELLANEOUS WORK 



Hedges and their management — Measuring a plantatioa 



Hedges and their Management. 



Hedges on an estate, either ornamental or useful, are^ 

 usually in the care of the woods staff, and it may not be 

 out of place to describe the methods adopted in the 

 formation and management of them. If they are to be 

 stock-proof they must be formed of plants that stock will 

 not face or that will resist their weight. The plants must 

 also be non-poisonous. If for shelter, they must be of 

 plants that grow thick and bushy, or which retain their 

 leaves throughout the winter. For ornamental hedges 

 evergreen plants are mostly used, or those that flower 

 profusely. 



For stock-proof fences there is nothing to beat the 

 common <3uickthorn, either planted pure or mixed with 

 Beech or Hornbeam. The prickly nature of the thorn 

 prevents cattle trying to break through, and the Beech, 

 which retains its leaves when trimmed annually, serves 

 as shelter for stock. The stiff nature of the latter tree 

 is also a great addition to the strength of a thorn hedge. 



Thorn and Holly, HoUy and Beech, and Holly and 



188 



