178 On the Nature and Advantages of Inclosures. 



In many cases, from circumstances connected with the si- 

 tuation or soil, other shrubs are used for hedges than the 

 white thorn ; though none, on the whole, is comparable to it 

 on suitable soils, or, when properly trained, forms so strong 

 and durable a fence. 



The common furze, gorse, or whin, (ulex europceusj, will 

 grow on poor soils in exposed situations ( 9 ^). Many hedges 

 of this plant are to met with in Sussex, six or eight feet 

 high, compact and efficient, ; but they are attended with this 

 disadvantage, that by the bursting of the pods, the seeds are 

 scattered to some distance, and in clearing out the ditches they 

 are carried over all the fields, and are extirpated with great 

 difficulty. The beech, (fagus sylvatica), therefore, is to be 

 preferred, where it will thrive, more especially from the shel- 

 ter which it affords, as the old leaves remain till the new ones 

 sprout out; thus giving warmth to the adjoining fields, and to 

 the stock pasturing on them, even in the midst of winter. The 

 larch also has been tried with some success ; though, it is ob- 

 vious, that a fence of this sort cannot always answer. 



The holly (ilex aquifolium) is of slow growth, but forms 

 a close and beautiful evergreen fence. The plants may be 

 removed from the seed-bed the first year, either in May or 

 June, which would be favourable to their thriving ; but the 

 plan of raising them from layers of old bushes is to be pre- 

 ferred. Such plants grow much quicker than seedlings, and 

 make good fences in less than half the time. 



The horn-beam (carpinus bitulus) has been strongly re- 

 commended, and seems to merit more attention than has hi- 

 therto been paid to it in this country. It is not delicate in 

 point, of soil, will thrive on ground seemingly barren, 

 and will grow well near the sea. It is likewise a quick 

 grower, and becomes a fence peculiarly solid and perma- 

 nent^^). Its wood also is preferable to yew, or crab, for 

 mill cogs, &c. It may be transplanted of a good size ; and 

 should be placed in such a manner, that the two plants may 

 intersect each other, in the form of a St Andrew's cross ; 

 which soon becomes a sort of living palisado, or chevaux de 

 frise. It is not uncommon in Germany, to see the sides of 

 the high-roads thus guarded for ten miles together ( I0 *). 



In the hedges of England, a great variety of trees are 

 planted, as the hazel, the oak, the ash, the maple, the crab, 

 the willow, &c. These furnish materials for manufacturing 

 various articles, supply the hop-planter with poles, or 

 may be used as fuel. Sometimes plums, gooseberries, and 

 other plants, yielding useful and agreeable fruits, are to be 



