On Hedge Pruning* 31 



which, under proper management, will soon form a 

 good fence. 



From the first year of planting, till the hedge has 

 risen to the height of five or six feet, the main stems 

 ought to be left untouched, and the pruning confined 

 solely to the side branches, leaving those next the root 

 l^retty long, and gradually tapering towards the top : 

 this pruning of the side branches will make them send 

 out many new shoots from their extremities, which, by 

 repeated trimmings, will become so thick as to fill up 

 every interstice from top to bottom of the hedge ; while 

 the main stems, by beiiig left untouched, continue 

 their growth upward, till they arrive at the necessary 

 height ; when they may have their extremities cut off 

 with perfect safety. When a hedge has attained the 

 wished for height, all that is requisite afterwards, is 

 regular switchings with a hedge-bill, preserving it 

 pretty broad at bottom, and drawing it gradually to a 

 point at top ; this form of a hedge is pleasant to the eye, 

 is well calculated to stand the weather, and by being 

 thus above the nourishment that would have been wast- 

 ed in supporting a thick, bushy, overgrown top, is re- 

 tiiined by the branches at the bottom, which are there- 

 by strengthened, and their numbers considerably in- 

 creased ; while the trunk, by having no more exertion 

 to make in an upward direction, becomes every year 

 stronger and thicker. — A hedge of this sort in full leaf 

 lias the appearance of a solid wall ; and when viewed 

 after the leaves arc shed, presents to the eye a set of 

 massy growing piles, so strong and formidable as to 

 bid defiance to any attempts that may be made to break 

 through them. 



VOL, III. 1 * 



