18 JANUARY. 



commended; for these stakes being immoveablej 

 and never rotting, keep up the new hedge, so 

 that it never falls, or lean.s either way. In the 

 next place, they drive in their dead hedge- stakes 

 where wanted, choosing 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 about 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, at most, 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 eddcred in the 

 common 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 woven 

 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, 



