On Hedges. 243 



formed of them from their books, that they were far 

 from being complete fences. 



Lord Kaims proposes a method of training thorn 

 hedges similar to Dr. Anderson's; and describes a 

 comparative experiment he had made, during a period 

 of twelve years, of three modes of rearing thorn 

 hedges, in which that of leaving the stems iincut^ until 

 they had attained sufficient stability, appeared to be 

 decidedly the best. His book being in the hands of 

 few persons, I here transcribe the passage referred to, 

 as highly interesting to all who would make hedge 

 fences. 



*' I have the experience of three hedges trained 

 twelve years as follows. The first has been annually 

 pruned top and sides. The sides of the second have 

 been pruned, but the top left entire. The third was 

 left to grow without any pruning. The first is at pre- 

 sent about four feet broad and thick from top to bot- 

 tom ; but weak in its stems, and unable to resist any 

 horned beast. The second is strong in its stems, and 

 close from top to bottom. The third is also strong in 

 its stems, but for two feet up bare of lateral branches, 

 which have been destroyed by the overshadowing of 

 those above, depriving them both of rain and air. That 

 the second is the best is ascertained by experience. 

 And that it ought to be so, will be evident if we trust 

 to analogy. In the natural growth of a tree, its trunk 

 is proportioned to its height: lop off* the head, it spreads 

 laterally, and becomes a bush, without rising in height, 

 or swelling in the trunk. The lime tree is the only 

 exception I know : the white thorn I am certain is not 

 an exception. Hence the following method of train* 



