22 On Hedging 



parcel of neat trimmed corn-stalks, provided for the 

 purpose, are to be laid singly, about eight or ten 3^ards 

 from each other across the trench to support the garden 

 line, which is now to be stretched from the first to the 

 second pole, observing if it is not exactly straight 

 through its whole extent, and having it rectified accord- 

 ingly, the plants are to be set exactly in the direction 

 of the poles, the line must therefore be placed on the op- 

 posite side to that where the planters are to fix them- 

 selves when performing the work. The planting is most 

 conveniently carried on from the left hand to the right, 

 and when the hedge is planted upon a declivity the 

 planters will find it easiest to have their faces toward 

 the uphill side. A quantity of the plants having been 

 brought to the spot, as many labourers as are employ- 

 ed in the business are to take a handful of them, and 

 being distributed along the line at nearly equal distan- 

 ces from each other, and each one with his own hand- 

 ful of plants laid at his left side, one of the plants is 

 placed upright in the trench with its roots spread in the 

 bottom thereof, and held by the left hand at a little dis- 

 tance from the line ; as much mould is to be drawn over 

 the roots of the plant by the right hand as to keep it 

 steady in its place; another plant is then to be set in 

 the same manner about five inches from the former, or 

 at whatever distance has been determined upon;* the 



* Where hogs are permitted to go at large, the distance 

 of the plants from each other may be from four to six inches, 

 according to the weakness or strength of the soil; the better 

 the soil is the wider they may be set. Where these animals 



