0(30 TIIE NURSERY. [MARf ir. 



Having now given my decided and unequivocal opinion as to 

 which is preferable, for outward fences, I shall proceed to give the 

 best instructions in my power for the formation of both; the more 

 especially as the ground-hedge is the neatest and most eligible for 

 internal hedges in gardens and pleasure-grounds. 



The hawthorn, of all other kinds, is the most suitable for outward 

 fences; and here I think it necessary to remark, that the common 

 European white-thorn, or Crataegus Oxyacantha of Linmrus, ap- 

 pears to answer well in America, but is not of so rapid growth as 

 our cockspur thorn, or Crataegus Crus gulli; the former makes a 

 closer and thicker hed^e, but not more formidable, nor so imme- 

 diately as the latter. We have many varieties of native hawthorns, 

 as described in page 154, &c, either of which will answer very 

 well, and convenience must be considered in respect to choice; but 

 when choice can be made, a preference should be given to the cock- 

 spur thorn, or rather to that kind winch is observed to grow most 

 luxuriantly in the neighbourhood in which it is intended to be 

 planted. 



The Hedge and Ditch. 



The months of October, November, and December, will be the 

 most eligible periods in the southern states for making this kind of 

 fence, particularly as their frosts can do no injury to the ditch, 

 and the roots will have an early establishment, and consequently 

 be the better prepared to encounter the summer heats. In the 

 middle and eastern states, I would prefer doing this business in 

 March, or early in April; as the ditch in that case would have one 

 year's advantage of the frost, which, in some kinds of soil, would 

 have a considerable effect, particularly in the first year, by swelling 

 the. earth in the face of the ditch, causing it to moulder down, and 

 thereby expose the roots of the quicks; but this can be obviated 

 by leaving a scarcement in the front, as hereafter directed. 



Strong year old quicks will answer very well for laying in the 

 face of a ditch, but such as have had the advantage of two years' 

 growth in nursery rows, after being transplanted when one year 

 old from the seed-bed, will sooner form a good fence, or two year 

 old plants from the seed-bed will answer a very good purpose. Be 

 particular in the taking of them up not to injure their roots but as 

 little as possible, and to sort them into three different lots, the 

 smallest, larger, and largest, and also to plant each lot together; 

 for the mixing of the small with the large, is very injudicious, as 

 the former in a little time would be smothered and overgrown by 

 the latter, and vacancies consequently formed in the hedge. 



Previous to planting, prune off the extremities of any long Btrag- 

 gling and wounded roots, and also cut off the heads of the plants 

 about seven inches above the earth-mark where they stood in the 

 ground, and likewise anv side branches that remain; let no con- 

 sideration prevent your doing this, tor on it depends much of your 

 success. 



Having your plants in readiness and dressed in this manner, lay 



