PLASHING HEDGES. 309 



lows being mostly chosen, in order that they may take 

 root and grow. The remainder of the live wood which 

 had been left standing is then plashed down by the 

 hedgers. In executing this part of the work they make 

 two upward cuts in each of the stems, one stroke being 

 given near the ground, and the other at the distance of 

 eight, ten, or twelve inches above it, but only just deep 

 enough to slit out a part of the wood between the two 

 cuts, leaving the stem supported by a little more than 

 the bark, or about a fourth part of its first size. It is 

 then laid down along the top of the bank, and inter- 

 woven with the hedge-stakes. All the plants are served 

 in the same way ; and where they are not sufficient to 

 fill up and complete the hedge, dead wood is had recourse 

 to ; but this should be avoided as much as possible, 

 from its injuring the living plants in its decay. The 

 work is completed by running an eddering along the 

 top of the fence, which is likewise sometimes practised 

 in making dead-hedges. 



Such are the principal features of the management of 

 fences ; and as good farming has become so much more 

 general than formerly, so also good fences are much 

 more frequently seen. Yet the fences throughout Eng- 

 land are, for the most part, highly objectionable, simply 

 on account of their size. " There is a vast length and 

 breadth of land occupied and overshadowed by them, 

 which might be bearing corn and pasturing cattle; and, 

 though it may appear somewhat startling, the truth is, 

 that were such as are unnecessary cleared away, and new 

 and proper ones substituted for the remainder, an ac- 

 cession of grain-bearing land would be available, equal 

 in extent to one of our large counties. As is proved by 

 actual survey, the average width of the fences through- 

 out Norfolk is ten feet, which is about seven feet more 

 than is actually necessary." The low country, in most 

 parts of the kingdom, is sufficiently, if not too thickly 

 feuced, but the upland districts are still deficient in 

 shelter. 



