SOIL, MANURES, SITUATIONS AND ENCLOSURES. 59 



straight, as the previous ones, or in the form of a gothic arch, 

 as shown by the figure. This brings the hedge to the close 

 of the fourth year, when it will begin to form an efficient bar- 

 rier, if it has been well cultivated and pruned. Its breadth 

 at bottom will be nearly double its height. Future years will 

 give it more height; but it must be especially observed to 

 keep it always narrow at top, so that the foliage above shall 

 not shade that below, nor injure the broad thick growth at 

 bottom. 

 HOOK TO TRIM HEDGES. With a common corn knife, like 



FlG. 93. Corn Knife. FIG. 94. Hedge Shears. 



that shown in Fig. 93, one man has trimmed from half to three- 

 quarters of a mile of four years' hedge on both sides in a day 

 striking upwards and cutting it to a peak in the middle, like 

 the roof of a house. Hedge shears, Fig. 94, may be had of 

 any dealer in seeds, with which more neat and accurate work 

 can be done. 



