DECIDUOUS HEDGES. 33 



possible mischief when we crowd a tree down to 

 bush growth. 



(10) Cultivation. Do not plow close to a 

 hedge, with the idea of benefiting it. Nearly all 

 plants that make good hedges do so largely because 

 they make a great mass of surface roots, and most 

 of these form a close network of roots. These 

 should not be ripped up by plow or hoe. If you wish 

 a stout hedge you must give it root room. I would 

 not plow within six feet of a well-established hedge. 

 Outside of this line I would keep the ground clear 

 and forbid the hedge getting a grip on it. 



It is, however, superfluous to undertake direc- 

 tions minute enough for every conceivable difficulty. 

 I have covered the ground sufficiently to lead the 

 amateur workman out of the way of easily made 

 mistakes. The general direction is, use common 

 sense. You will easily master all the difficulties of 

 horticulture in that way, and in no other. Study the 

 situation and do what you think is wise under the 

 circumstances. You will find hints always ready 

 for you if you are ready to heed them. 



( u) Cost. No estimate of cost can be any- 

 thing more than approximate, as cultivation, seed, 

 cost of plants, cost of labor, will vary everywhere 

 and all the time. Professor Turner some years ago 

 estimated that, while the cheapest wood fence would 

 cost $300 a mile, his four miles of hedging did not 

 altogether cost over $100, which would be $25 a 

 mile. "Here, then, is a clear difference of $275 per 

 mile, or say $1000 in the cost of four miles when first 

 put upon the ground. The annual interest of $1000 

 would hire a good young man to tend the hedges for 

 3 



