246 OUR FORESTS AND WOODLANDS 



soils suit it best, yet it grows well on any sort 

 of dry land capable of being used agriculturally. 

 On high situations with a light soil, however, 

 the hedge can occasionally be much improved by 

 mixing beech, or hornbeam (except on chalky 

 soils), to the extent of about one-third along with 

 the thorn, as apparently even here the soil- 

 improving qualities of the dead beech-leaves, 

 rich in potash, are of benefit to the quick. But 

 the advantages of mixed crops, a sound principle 

 for most kinds of woodlands, do not extend to 

 hedges. The use of the shade-bearing beech and 

 hornbeam is, however, often necessary to fill gaps 

 in thorn hedges caused by rank growth of weeds. 

 One decided drawback to this admixture of beech 

 and hornbeam is, that cattle soon find out that 

 these are not thorny, and then they often force 

 their way through, undeterred by any fear of being 

 torn or pricked. To make the hedge more of a 

 fence, sweetbriar is often mixed with hawthorn ; 

 but it soon spreads and interferes with the latter. 

 Wherever the thorn thrives, as on heavy loams, 

 it is certainly best to keep it pure and clean. On 

 very light land, however, like most sands, or 

 gravel, it is apt to die suddenly ; and in such 



