JAN.] FENCES. 27 



next place, they drive in their dead hedge-stakes 

 where wanted, chusing sallows or willows, that 

 they may grow. The hedgers then plash down the 

 remainder of the live wood left standing. They 

 cut the stick twice, one stroke near the ground, 

 and the other ahout 10 or 12 inches higher, and 

 just deep enough to slit out a part of the wood be- 

 tween the two, leaving the stem supported by little 

 more than the bark, or about a quarter of its first size. 

 It is then laid along the top of the bank, and 

 weaved among the hedge-stakes. All are served 

 thus ; and, where they are not thick enough to 

 finish the hedge, dead thorns are wove among them ; 

 then the top of the hedge is eddered in the com- 

 mon manner. 



The fence thus made, consists of a good ditch 

 and a hedge, most parts of which are alive ; that is, 

 the stakes, and much of the wood that is weaved 

 between them. The importance of having as much 

 as possible of the hedge alive, cannot be too 

 strongly impressed. This management ensures a 

 lasting fence ; whereas, the hedges that are all 

 dead, presently rot, and fall into the ditch. Those 

 farmers, who live in countries that know nothing 

 of the plashing method, cannot give too much at- 

 tention to teaching it to their men. The best way 

 is, to send for labourers from the plashing coun- 

 tries, who, in one season, will easily instruct their 

 regular men in the business, which they may after- 

 wards perform without difficulty. 



DITCHES. 



