MANAGEMENT OP FENCES. 



295 



ment is not only unnecessary, but greatly favours the 

 growth of weeds. But the great advantage in this ledge 



is, that it tends to prevent the earth falling down into 

 the ditch, and thus exposing and injuring the roots. 



The next thing to be observed is the treatment of the 

 young plants. As we have already intimated, it will 

 save time and trouble to choose thorns of six or seven 

 years old, when the main stem will be about an inch in 

 circumference. These will soon make valuable fences 

 while younger plants will need 

 protection and nursing for two 

 or three years. But the older 

 the plants, the more care must 

 be bestowed upon their removal. 

 Inste'ad of trimming and cutting 

 the roots, as is the common 

 practice, every care must be 

 taken not to mutilate them. 

 On this account the plants 

 should be taken up with prongs, 

 not with spades, and should not 

 be suffered to lie long out of the 

 ground. Plants of equal size 

 should be selected for the same 

 hedge, because, if put in pro- 

 miscuously, great and small, the stronger will outgrow 

 and destroy the weaker plants, and gaps in the hedge 



T8OBN-FIJLNT PREPARED 

 FOR PLANTING. 



