On Hedging and Ditching. 15 



ground, about two years ago, and rolled on large heavy 

 stones that required two men to lift them up. The 

 spring following they all sunk down. But give them 

 dry ground, and moderate light stone, say from ten to 

 thirty pounds, and they are more secure. In laying 

 out the fields, they ought to be so planned, that as 

 little water as possible would run into the ditches ; ex- 

 cept what falls from above. And by leaving one foot 

 escarpment, by the time that foot wastes off, so as to 

 bring it into the edge of the stones, it will be at such a 

 degree of level as to moulder no more ; unless carried 

 off by water from the bottom. It will likewise get 

 matted over with grass ; and in a very few years, the 

 thorn roots will bind all together. In Europe, we al- 

 ways had the best and earliest pasture on those banks 

 and ditches, so that we never considered it as waste 

 ground. I imagine the weight and shade of the bank 

 hinders the frost from penetrating or getting into the 

 ground in that part, as much as it otherwise would. As 

 to trimming, I think I have reduced it too much. I 

 have all along trimmed in July and November, and 

 thus kept them very nice. But the two last years they 

 grew little or none after the July trimmings ; and are 

 beginning to show other bad effects on the plant. 

 Some I trimmed this summer, and some I did not, 

 and I see a material difference in favour of tliiose I did 

 not trim, therefore, I will confine my dressings to fall 

 or spring. The two first years trimming is useful. 

 It gives those of slow growth a chance of keeping up 

 with those that are more luxuriant. 



Where I became first acquainted with hedges, unless 

 around kitchen gardens, or towns, or villages, where 



