192 FORESTRY WORK 



plants, such as often spring up. Elder is particularly 

 detrimental to hedges. The common hoe is useful for 

 cleaning the ground on the outside of the hedge, or the 

 ground may be " pointed," but the weeds between the 

 plants must be pulled out by hand. 



A hedge that is cleaned yearly will grow much better 

 than one that is allowed to become choked with weeds- 

 which deprive the plants of food and moisture and kill 

 off lower shoots. 



Nursery hedges must always be kept free from weeds, 

 otherwise they will serve as harbour for vermin. 



Pruning or Switching. 



After the hedge has been planted for about three years, 

 it should be topped — i.e., all long straggling shoots taken 

 off. The side-shoots should also be shortened. This en- 

 courages the growth of the lower shoots and thickens the 

 hedge. 



After this, until it is of the required height and strength, 

 a light brushing should be given every year to get it mto 

 shape. 



When once a hedge is properly established, it should be 

 treated more drastically. Thorn hedges and their mix- 

 tures should be cut back to the old wood every year, 

 otherwise they will become too loose, and with too much 

 top, which will result in the death of the lower branches. 



Ornamental hedges also should be pruned hard. 



If a Yew hedge is examined, it will be found that the 

 green leaves are only on the last 6 inches or so of the 

 branches. The rest of the branches are bare, and if the 



