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REPORT ON HEDGES. 



The Committee on Hedges beg leave to report : — 



That but one application has been made for an examination, in 

 reference to a premium, the present year. By invitation of Mr. 

 Francis Marsh, of Dedham, the Committee visited his grounds 

 and inspected his hedges on the 7th of July last. The visit 

 afforded them much pleasure, from the extent of the hedges, the 

 order in which they are kept, and their vigorous and healthful 

 appearance. The length of Mr. Marsh's hedges, which are of 

 buckthorn, is in all nineteen hundred and twenty-four feet. They 

 are of different ages, and the plants in all nine inches apart. That 

 about his garden and house lot is tlie longest in a continuous line, 

 being eleven hundred and seventy-four feet. A part of this has 

 been set eleven years ; other parts not so long. The whole of it 

 is in a fine condition, presenting, when in leaf, an exceedingly 

 pleasant object to the eye. Near this, and in full view, on the 

 road side, is a hedge one hundred and fifty feet in length, en- 

 closing a triangular space, in which stand several beautiful maples. 

 This hedge has been set eleven years, and is doing well, forming, 

 together with the maples, an object very agreeable to the sight. 



But the best of Mr. Marsh's hedges, and one which the Com- 

 mittee viewed with great admiration, remains to be noticed. It 

 bounds his lot on Court Street, and is in all six hundred feet in 

 length in a straight line. A part of this has been set but three 

 years, and is three and a half feet high, wedge-shaped, the plants 

 being in a single row, as in all Mr. Marsh's hedges. The other 

 part of this hedge has been set thirteen years. From this, in 

 summer, when in leaf, it is difficult to take off the eye, so beauti- 

 ful and symmetrical is it. The sides are perfectly smooth, pre- 

 senting one dense, unbroken mass of foliage. It is three hundred 

 and fifty feet in length. The sides are sloping off, the hedge 

 measuring at the surface of the ground seven feet, and three feet 

 across the top, being four and a half feet in height. This hedge 

 appears to the Committee to be as perfect as any thing of the 

 kind can be. It is impervious to the eye, smooth, regular, and in 

 every way beautiful. The Committee cannot close their report 

 withous expressing the very high satisfaction which the visit to 



