HOW TO GROW GOOD FENCES. 233 



makes a strong fence, and it has not the advantage of 

 the two former, as its leaves fall off at the approach 

 of cold weather, which is not the case with either 

 beech or hornbeam, whose leaves are eminently- 

 persistent, especially in the earlier part of their 

 lives. 



If furze hedges be required for any position, they 

 may easily be grown, either by taking up young 

 plants from the waste and planting them where 

 wanted, or by sowing seed, which can readily be 

 obtained from any seedsman. 



Before sowing, the ground should be lightly dug, 

 and the seeds, after being soaked for a few hours in 

 water, be thinly sown, and be only just covered up 

 by the soil. This operation may be done in February ; 

 and when the seeds come up, if they are covered 

 over by branches of cut furze, or these be stuck here 

 and there in, or on, either side of the rows, the young 

 plants will be protected from cattle and sheep, which 

 are fond of nibbling the tender furze shoots. 



