0?i Hedging, 15 



drought, that might happen, if the soil was naturally 

 inclining to dry, more especially where the flice of the 

 bank might be fronting either the meridian or the three 

 o'clock sun. A great deal more might be said as to the 

 ditching method not being generally adapted for the 

 United States: but those who have any doubts concern- 

 ing the matter, and are desirous of being satisfied 

 whether the way of plain hedging, or that of hedge and 

 ditch is preferable, can have it determined by experi- 

 ment, and after trying both they can judge for them- 

 selves which is the best. 



In a rich, fiat, humid soil, not very susceptible of in- 

 j ury to the plants from dry weather, or damage to the ditch 

 hy heavy rains or severe frosts, it is probable that the 

 -hedge and ditch method of fencing may be suitable. The 

 nature of such soils renders ditching much easier, when 

 free of roots, than in a strong heavy clay, or a soil inter- 

 spersed with stones, made up of bedded flints, or render- 

 ed almost impervious imderneath by layers of cemented 

 gravel. In such flat, soft grounds, independent of the 

 notion of hedging, a large deep ditch will often be w^anted 

 to drain the land, and therefore this expense cannot with 

 propriety be made an objection against the hedge and 

 ditch mode of forming live fences. Whenever hedging 

 comes into general repute, it is reasonable to expect 

 there will be suflficient ingenuity found among the hus- 

 bandmen in the various parts of the country, to dis- 

 cover what methods are best adapted for their several 

 local situations and circumstances, and also, what other 

 aids can be introduced into practice, will naturally from 

 time to time become manifest to the attentive observer. 



