2i4 FENCES. {Jan. 



tended with more labour. Indeed, the beft fe- 

 curity against baring the bottom of a plained 

 hedge, is by cutting over by the furface as ma- 

 iiy of the plants as can be at all fpared ; and 

 the moots arifing from thefe will foon thicken 

 the hedge at bottom. 



Flaming, however, can only be effectually and 

 handfomely performed, when there is a good por- 

 tion of long, pliable, and well- feathered branch- 

 es, and where the hedge has, if not youth, at 

 lead -vigour, an its fide. 



After the plafhing is completed, the ditch is to 

 be fcoured out, and the bottom of the hedge 

 cleaned and dreffed up, in the fame neat manner 

 as if all were new work. 



Cutting over old hedges, is a much lefs expen- 

 five method of reclaiming or renewing, than a- 

 ny of the above ; and perhaps, in moft cafes, 

 may be a more eligible favrng when an immediate 

 fence is the object. In cutting down an old hedge, 

 there is certainly a very fit opportunity of laying 

 the foundation of a complete and durable fence. 



The nature of the cutting muft be regulated by 

 circumftances, according to the age, the flrength, 

 or the clofenefs of the hedge, and whether it have 

 been planted in Tingle or double rows. If the 

 hedge in queflion be pretty vigorous and branch- 

 ing towards the bottom, and if the ftems (land 

 regularly and clofely together, it may be brought 



into 



