FENCES. {Jan. 



furface mould whereon the plants are to lye; and, 

 where there is no turf, the operation is unnecef- 

 fary. The operator mufl now go along the firft 

 row of fods ; fmoothing all inequalities, and lay- 

 ing the furface in a gently Hoping pofition, fo as 

 that the roots of the plants may dip a little, and 

 the tops may incline upwards when placed. Hav- 

 ing the bed fmifhed as above, if neceffary, pro. 

 cure fome well rotted dung, and lay on a thin 

 sprinkling. A very fmall portion of earth may be 

 applied above the dung ; being careful, however, 

 fo cover it, fo as that the fibres of the plants, 

 when laid on the bed fo prepared, may not im- 

 mediately come in contact with the dung. The 

 thorns are now to be fo placed, as that the point 

 where they are cut over may be about an inch be- 

 yond the margin of the fod towards the ditch, and 

 from fix to nine inches apart, according to the 

 quality of the foil, and the purpofe for which they 

 are planted. They are to be covered, as fpeedily 

 as poflible, with a portion of the best mould from 

 the ditch. But on the oppofite fide, to the width 

 Intended, the richer parts of the remaining earth 

 are to be thrown up, and laid immediately be- 

 yond the roots of the plants. In the event of pro- 

 tecling the hedge with a railing, the remaining 

 earth is to be laid in a neat ridge, iloping back- 

 wards from the thorns. The ditch mufl be equal- 

 ly Hoped on both fides to the propofed depth, 



keeping 



