THE "CUTTING" GROUND 7 



cuttings. The careful man whose duty it is to clear the ground 

 simply makes it impossible for this to occur. 



Then the ground must be laid out, that is, broken up into sections 

 by the planting of Thuja lobbi or whatever subject is used for the 

 hedges. A section should not exceed 50 feet in width if the whole 

 of the space is to receive a share of the shelter thus provided. Next, 

 each section is marked out into beds 3 feet wide, or whatever may 

 be the length of the lights you intend to use, leaving the space of 

 i J feet between the beds. Make the soil in the beds firm by treading, 

 then level with a rake and cover with about six inches of good yellow 

 or white sand not of a gravelly nature but more resembling silver 

 sand of only moderate coarseness. In most localities suitable sand 

 may be obtained without difficulty. Washed sea sand, after standing 

 long enough to lose its salt, is as good as any. 



We have always used one form or one size of light and have never 

 yet had reason to be dissatisfied with it. It is, as our illustration 

 shows, of the " box " pattern, all in one piece, and it is 3 feet long 

 by 2 feet wide, rising 12 inches at the back and falling to 6 inches in 



FIG. 2. Three rows of box-lights 



the front ; this sharp fall effectually preventing the dripping in of 

 any rain unless there is some defect in the glazing. Such a box-light 

 is inexpensive to make and of a usable size, neither large nor heavy. 

 It would probably cost twice as much if the top was detachable or 

 even movable. Made strongly with well-seasoned wood and with 

 21 oz. glass, painted every second year, we may look upon a life 

 of ten years as the minimum during which it will be of service. 



We shall probably be told that this kind of light is old-fashioned 

 and out of date, that regulation two- or three-light frames may be 



