124 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



hedges may be produced. Plant the bushes from two to four feet apart, 

 according to whether a thick or thin hedge is wanted. Where a wall 

 of Koses, rising some eight feet to ten feet, is preferred, rambling Hoses 

 would be best. Secure in the ground at intervals of six feet or eight 

 feet some good, stout oak posts. Stretch some wire in between them, 

 to which fasten the Roses. By bending them out palmate shape a pretty 

 effect is created. 



It is not possible to get a safe shelter with the help of only Roses, 

 but certainly they may be used as a screen. Where the position is 

 cold and exposed, an outer belt of Austrian or Corsican Pines, or some 

 other good tree, would be necessary. A free growth, of course, is 

 essential. 



Preparation Of the Soil is important. Most soils are improved by 

 draining. We know that the wild Roses grow vigorously in country 

 hedgerows with dykes on either side. If the staple soil is a heavy clay, 

 before planting a hedge put down some drain-pipes about two feet six 

 inches deep. If a clayey loam, then about three feet. The ground 

 should be trenched two spits deep for the heavy soils, and bastard 

 trenched for those of a lighter nature. Good, well-decayed farmyard 

 manure, together with burnt garden refuse and bone-meal, all favour a 

 vigorous growth in the hedge. Rather than make the soil sour by too 

 much raw manure, give liquid manure liberally, not only in summer, 

 when growth is active, but also during winter, when usually this valu- 

 able liquid runs to waste. 



Most of the kinds recommended will in time support themselves ; 

 but if a tall hedge be desired, set some oak posts in the ground at 

 intervals of from six feet to eight feet to support two or three lengths 

 of wires. Galvanised wire must be painted. Give the plants plenty of 

 space to extend laterally, so as to secure robust base-growth. 



Rose hedges must be pruned to promote an abundant flower display. 

 The way to prune will depend upon the variety. Avoid, of course, any 

 trimmed-up effect. The branches should droop with their flower burden. 

 Growths one and two years old produce the finest flowers, and on some 

 kinds laterals appear from three- and four-year-old wood. One or two 

 branches may be cut out of each plant so as to give those remaining 

 more space for development. This pruning may be carried out in the 

 autumn ; it is a better time than the spring. 



With regard to the stock, secure, if possible, strong own-root 

 plants. If this cannot be managed, then get them upon the seedling 

 briar, the roots of which go down deep, and the plant is then better 

 able to resist drought. 



The Sweet Briar is of course the hedge of hedges. Pleasant is it to 

 wander round the garden in the clear light of a June evening when the 

 air is saturated with the perfume of the Sweet Briar, fresher and sweeter 

 still when the day has been warm and moist. Many of the Penzance 

 briars are almost as sweet, and are now largely used as hedges. Un- 

 fortunately the flowers are quickly over, but they welcome us in the 

 early summer, and in the autumn we have in their place a harvest of 

 bright fruits, especially upon the one named Amy Robsart. The 



