HEDGES, THEIR FORMATION AND MANAGEMENT. 



Rosa rugosa and R. rubiginosa (Sweet Briar). Both these 

 species of rose have come greatly into favour for garden 

 subdivisions, for which they are peculiarly suitable. They 

 make charming hedges, are of easy growth, and stand 

 pruning with impunity. Of course, where they are wanted 

 to flower great care in pruxiing is necessary. 



Laurel- Both the common and Colchic laurels make 

 fairly good hedges, but they are apt to get gappy by portions 

 dying out. This can, however, easily be remedied by sub- 

 stituting others instead. They bear trimming well. 



Aucuba japonica forms a useful and ornamental hedge, 

 stands pruning well, and lasts for a long time. 



Berberis Darwinh and B stenophylla are both highly 

 ornamental hedge shrubs, and when not pruned too severely 

 flower with great freedom. Shortening the long shoots 

 with a pocket knife is best. 



Cleaning and Pruning. An annual cleaning of the 

 ground alongside hedges must never be neglected, weeds 

 robbing the soil of its nourishment, choking the young 

 plants, and to a great extent, preventing the free access of 

 rain to the roots of the hedge plants. The common hoe is, 

 for this purpose, to be recommended, and any weeds that 

 cannot be got at around the stems must be removed by the 

 hand. Ivy, elder, and honeysuckle should all be treated as 

 weeds, for they are highly injurious to hedges, be these 

 young or old. 



Very '.ittle, if any, pruning or switching should be done 

 till the third year after the fence has been formed, and then 

 only the longer twigs cut back, so as to get by degrees a 

 general uniformity of shape. The switching-knife is^alone 

 to be recommended for pruning fences, shears never making 

 a clean cut, and pressing and loosening the bark at the 

 point where amputation took place. A well-sharpened 

 switching-knife in the hands of a dexterous hedger turns 

 out beautiful and commendable work. 



Unless it be an annual cleaning and trimming, a well 

 formed hedge should require but little attention for many 

 years. Should it, however, when old, begin to show signs 

 of distress and become gappy, a top-dressing of rich farm- 



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