On the Nature and Advantages of Inclosures. 179 



met with ( I0 ^; but this is a dangerous experiment, alluring 

 idle boys to do much mischief to the hedges ; and some- 

 times the sweet-briar, and all the varieties of the wild rose, 

 are planted, for their smell or beauty. But none of these 

 are so fit to form a fence, as the hawthorn, and the mixture 

 prevents its thriving. The sweet-briar, in particular, inva- 

 riably injures, and frequently kills the thorns. 



4. Hedge Rows. 



The planting of trees in the line of a hedge is, generally 

 speaking, not to be approved of. Thorns do not thrive so 

 well near the roots, nor under the drop of a tree. The roots 

 also running into the field in all directions, often break and 

 damage the plough, and interrupt the field operations. 

 The corn growing under the shade and drop of trees, is al- 

 most universally laid down, of course not filled, unequally 

 ripened, and not so soon ready for the stack-yard as in the 

 other parts of the field. In late and wet seasons, indeed, 

 the corn is seldom harvested in proper condition, and in 

 some instances it is totally lost. The ash, in particular, is a 

 formidable enemy to corn. The influence of its roots, in 

 attracting moisture, and the sources of fertility, may be seen 

 in the circular patch of inferior vegetation in its immediate 

 neighbourhood. In fact, trees in hedges are said to be the 

 landlord's thieves, as they steal from the tenant's crop every 

 year, ten times the value of their own increased value. The 

 grass under their shade or drop, is likewise of inferior quality, 

 compared to the other parts of the field, and is unwholesome 

 to stock ( l ^). In flat countries, therefore, it is better to plant 

 the corners of such fields as are not accessible to the plough, 

 and in them, a great deal of useful timber may be raised. In 

 hilly countries, on the other hand, belts of planting are ad- 

 visable, not only as being ornamental, but on account of the 

 shelter which they afford to cattle, and other stock. 



There are some trees, however, which, comparatively 

 speaking, do much less injury than others. The narrow 

 leaved elm, and the black poplar, are of that description, 

 and above all, the oak, which in hedge rows produces tim- 

 ber, peculiarly well calculated for naval purposes. The 

 planting of the oak therefore, under a judicious system, ought 

 not to be discouraged, for the growth and prosperity of such 

 timber, is of great national, as well as private importance ( I0 *f. 



Fruit trees in hedge-rows promise a profit, which is never 

 M 2 



