254i HOW TO GROW GOOD FENCES. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



ON THE MANAGEMENT OF HEDGE-EOW FENCES. 



"We shall, in the first place, treat the subject of manage- 

 ment in reference to fences composed of hawthorn. 

 In the newly-planted hedge we shall find that the 

 better the soil in which it is planted, the quicker and 

 stronger the young quicks will grow. If, then, the soil 

 be not good, or if it be thin, it will be worth while to 

 prepare it as well as circumstances will permit. This 

 may be done by deep digging, by bringing good soil 

 from a distance, or some aid may be given by means 

 of any kind of manure. It should ever be borne 

 in mind that to start with luxuriant growth is all- 

 important, as neglect in this matter at first can only 

 be partially remedied afterwards. 



Good quicks, selected and removed with care, 

 carefully planted in well-prepared ground, not ele- 

 vated several feet on a dry sand-bank, or carelessly 

 grouted in a gutter of clay, will soon send out 

 vigorous shoots. These should be well weeded and 

 dug at least for three or four years, during which 

 time an occasional trimming of a wild shoot here 

 and there with the knife will rightly direct a more 

 even growth. 



In weeding, the first advent of briars and brambles 

 should be looked to ; so all seedling ash, elder, maple, 

 and defenceless trees in general, should be taken out 



