On Live Hedges* 25 



I need not recommend them. I will only observe, that 

 they are the most easy tree to propagate of any known ; 

 that they are suited to almost any kind of soil ; a shovel 

 full of manure is as beneficial to them as to a hill of 

 corn. Before 1 saw your advertisement, I had laid out 

 the following method for making live fence : last sea- 

 son I tried the experiment with I think the greatest suc- 

 cess. I laid up a mound two or three feet high in the 

 following manner : I took square spades and shovels, 

 and cut out the sod in squares as deep as it would hold 

 together, as much a slant as I wished to carry up the 

 sides of the mound, laying it with care as you would 

 lay brick, breaking joints, heaving in the loose dirt as 

 the nature of the business requires. I made a trench 

 on each side of the mound in course three or four feet 

 wide and one deep, and left about one foot each side of 

 the mound of the sward, unbroken to support the 

 mound. I left the mound when completed about two 

 feet wide on top and a little dishing ; I laid on top of the 

 mound manure and mixed it with the loam, I beat the 

 sides of the mound with spades to even and harden it 

 together ; I then took poplar limbs and shoots not mate- 

 rial which, sufficiently long to reach from the top to the 

 bottom of the mound, that is to the old surface, leaving 

 them three or four inches out : if long enough to top 

 they will do better ; I sort them ; I take a suitable stick 

 and make holes at six inches distance along the top and 

 middle of the mound, I set the cuttings in them : a 

 temporary fence is necessary if exposed to creatures, 

 on each side. By experience I found the cions rooted 

 from top to bottom. I think it best to lay the manure 

 to the bottom of the mound. I view the manure to be 



VOL. II. D 



