Particular Objects 189 



description of fence conveys an agreeable idea, and a fence 

 that is formal becomes all the more distinct, setting a con- 

 spicuous limitation to a place, and interfering with or cutting 

 off the landscape beyond. The more effectually a boundary 

 line is disguised therefore, the greater latitude of dimensions 

 will be attained. 



One way of dressing a hedge so as to destroy its regularity 

 of line is, after it has become sufficiently strong and sturdy, 

 to prune out individual branches only, and not cut it to a 

 uniform height. Several of the plants may, in places, have 

 their heads individually cut down without destroying the 

 smaller spray, while in other parts, at unequal intervals, only 

 one, two, or three heads need be cut off. By carrying out 



Fig. 54. How to Manage a Hedge. 



this plan with the utmost irregularity, and letting some of 

 the bushes grow up more wildly, a ragged, broken, and more 

 natural looking line may be produced; and this is particu- 

 larly important where in the case of a high hedge it rises 

 above the line of the horizon or stands across a view that is 

 obtained into the open country. 



But however tastefully a hedge may be cut, its ground Hne 

 will still remain a straight one, and to vary this a few tufts 

 of bushes may be scattered at different distances and in 

 different numbers along its front, as in fig. 54, and never 

 be pruned at all. Of course such plants should be put only 

 where the hedge behind them has been left comparatively 

 unpruned, and not opposite the pruned parts. In this man- 

 ner, by the exercise of a little judgment in disposing and 



