CALEB KIRK ON HEDGING. 281 



the time the drawing was taken. The first, show, 

 ing the skeleton of a hedge, may be useful to de- 

 monstrate the subject in that stage of its progress 

 to maturity. This figure presents an 

 end view of the section represented on 

 page 280, showing a correct view of 

 the shape which I preferred for form- 

 ing a hedge the most impenetrable at 

 the bottom ; these views are elevated 

 on a bank from a foot to eighteen inch- 

 es high, which was formed from re- 

 peated dressings, as they required fresh 

 earth to cover the grass about the roots, 

 which retards their growth in a young 

 state remarkably if not kept down., 

 This elevation gives the hedge a much more forbid- 

 ding appearance to ungovernable animals. 



The trimming may be done with a hedge-knife 

 about eighteen inches long, with a hooked point,, 

 used with one hand, or with any othpr sharp, light 

 tool that may best suit the operator, making the 

 stroke upward rather than downward : the root 

 being secure in the ground, it will not give way be- 

 fore the stroke as it would in making the stroke 

 downward. The last trimmings of these speci- 

 mens were made with a common grass-scythe, as 

 the mowers were cutting the grass in the field. I 

 found, by applying the scythe to the hedge, it was an 

 expeditious mode, though rather unhandy to strike 

 upward ; but a little practice overcame the difficulty. 



After viewing these specimens of hedges produced 

 by the foregoing mode of management in a given 

 time, it will be information. I have no doubt, to some, 

 sufficient to determine their choice whether a dead 

 or living fence is to be preferred. 



I made the choice upon an imaginary view, with- 

 out having the advantage of ocular demonstration, 

 and without any idea of the comparative expense, or 

 even attempting to make any calculation on the sub- 

 I. Y 



