16 On Hedging and Ditching. 



lots were small, you would not see one in five hun- 

 dred trimmed. They, in general, let them grow till 

 ten, twelve, or perhaps twenty years old, then, with a 

 sharp handsaw, take them off a few inches above the 

 bank, when you would immediately have a more for- 

 midable fence than ever, and so on for ages. The best 

 way to proceed by those who wish to adopt this method, 

 is to find a man who has wrought a little at it in Eu* 

 rope, and agree with him by the rod : the common di- 

 mensions that I have made, he could perhaps aiford to 

 do at twenty five or thirty cents a rod, if found in all 

 necessaries. Then lay down all your plants, in a state 

 of growing, early in spring. By that means he can 

 work all summer, and you have no other trouble than 

 provide him in stone. This way was much practiced 

 in Europe. By all means let them be kept clear of 

 weeds the two first years. My hedges are in general 

 handsome, but I have no thorn I value so high as the 

 American Cockspur,^ It will make a fence which 

 nothing can get through. 



I am, very respectfully. Yours, 



^ William Neill. 



Hon. Richard Peters. 

 President^ Agric. Sec. 



* Cratagus Cms galli, L. 



