Hedges : their Formation and Management 187 



and replanted within the week, but, much better still and 

 this is readily effected where a home nursery is on the estate 

 on the same or the following day. 



In planting, stretch a line along the centre of the prepared 

 ground, and close to the line take out a perpendicular trench 

 with the spade of sufficient size to allow of the roots of the 

 plants being spread out to their full extent. From 6 in. 

 to 8 in. will be found a convenient distance apart to place 

 the thorns, and they should not be planted deeper than they 

 stood whilst in the nursery border, which will readily be 

 seen by the mark on the stems. A small quantity of fine 

 soil should now be placed next the roots, and this firmly 

 trodden, the remainder of the soil being added afterwards. 

 Dibbling the plants is sometimes recommended, but, in our 

 own opinion, it is a dangerous practice and to be avoided, 

 the roots necessarily being thus confined to small space and 

 placed in an unnatural position. Planting in single line is 

 in most cases preferable to inserting in double line, as it is by 

 the former method that the strongest and most durable 

 fences have been formed. Some planters cut back the 

 young thorns to within 2 in. of the ground, and the practice, 

 although not readily reconciled with physiological principles, 

 is to be recommended. It is unquestionable that headed- 

 back thorns shoot out with greater vigour, and become 

 thicker, than such as have been left untouched, but the fact 

 that they are then greedily devoured by ground game has 

 somewhat caused the practice to fall into disuse, at least 

 where game is abundant and the cost of fencing cannot be 

 entertained. 



The Beech, as a hedge-plant, must not be despised, being 

 a rapid grower on most soils, and soon forming a very valu- 

 able fence. In rich soils it retains a great proportion of its 

 leaves during winter, and is, therefore, an excellent shelter- 

 plant. It, however, lacks the rigidity of the thorn, and 

 for that reason is not very suitable for planting where farm 

 stock have access. It may be planted in a manner similar 

 to that recommended for the thorn, only the individual 

 plants should stand farther apart. 



The Hornbeam makes a good live fence, and will grow 



