CROPS AND PROFITS 



ing shelter of another hemlock hedge of wan^- 

 ton luxuriance. A city garden could never 

 yield the breadth it demands, but upon the 

 farm, the complete and graceful protection it 

 gives, is well purchased, at the cost of a few 

 feet of land. Nor is much time required for 

 its growth; five years since, and this hedge of 

 four feet in height, by two hundred yards in 

 length, was all brought away from the wood 

 in a couple of market baskets. 



The importance of garden shelter is by no 

 means enough considered. I do not indeed 

 name my own method as the best to be pur- 

 sued; flanking buildings or high enclosures 

 may give it more conveniently in many situa- 

 tions ; a steep, sudden hillside may give it best 

 of all; but it should never be forgotten that 

 while we humor the garden soil with what the 

 plants and trees best love, we should also give 

 their foliage the protection against storms 

 which they covet; and which, in an almost 

 equal degree, contributes to their luxuriance. 



To the dwarf fruit, as well as to the grape, 

 this shelter is absolutely essential; if they are 

 compelled to fortify against aggressive blasts, 

 —they may do it indeed ; but they will, in this 

 way, dissipate a large share of the vitality 

 which would else go to the fruit. Young 



175 



