HEDGES, THEIE FORMATION, AND MANAGEMENT. 



over with soil, the plants in the centre of each bundle 

 get dust- dry and fall a prey to the searching winds of 

 spring. 



Plants should in all cases, where it is possible, be lifted 

 and replanted within the week, but, much better still and 

 this is readily effected where a home nursery is on the estate 

 on the same or the following day. 



In planting, stretch a line along the centre of the prepared 

 ground, and close to the line take out a perpendicular trench 

 with the spade of sufficient size to allow of the roots of the 

 plants being spread out to their full extent. From 6 in. to 

 8 in. will be found a convenient distance apart to place the 

 thorns, and they should not be planted deeper than they 

 stood whilst in the nursery border, which will readily be 

 seen by the mark on the stems. A small quantity of fine 

 soil should now be placed next the roots, and this firmly 

 trodden, the remainder of the soil being added afterwards. 

 Bibbling the plants is sometimes recommended, but, in our 

 own opinion, it is a dangerous practice and to be avoided, 

 the roots necessarily being thus confined to small space and 

 placed in an unnatural position. Planting in single line is 

 also preferable to inserting in double line, as, by the former 

 method, the strongest and most durable fences have been 

 formed. Some planters cut back the young plants to within 

 2 in. of the ground, and the practice, although not readily 

 reconciled with physiological principles, is to be recom- 

 mended. It is unquestionable that headed-back thorns shoot 

 out with greater vigour, and became thicker, than such as have 

 been left untouched, but the fact that they are then greedily 

 devoured by ground game has somewhat caused the practice 

 to fall into disuse, at least where game is abundant and the 

 cost of fencing cannot be entertained. 



The Beech, as a hedge-plant, must not be despised, it 

 being a rapid grower on most soils, and soon forming a very 

 valuable fence. In rich soils it retains a great proportion 

 of its leaves during winter, and is, therefore, an excellent 

 shelter-plant. It, however, wants the rigidity of the thorn, 

 and for that reason is not very suitable for planting where 

 farm stock have access. It may be planted in a manner 



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