16 THE MANSE GARDEN. 



be of thorn, let it grow three years untouched, except 

 as to careful weeding; then cut it as close by the 

 groun d as the knife can be laid ; thus treated, it will 

 become so compact that no hare or rabbit can find 

 entrance even when snow has filled the excavation of 

 the sunk fence. If the hedge be of holly, clean it, of 

 course, but do not touch it with the knife for seven 

 years. When the lateral shoots project over the 

 wall, they may be trimmed flush with its front, which 

 will render the fence impervious to the nibbling in- 

 vaders that prove so destructive to young fruit trees 

 and various productions of the garden. 



Thus matters are easy where the ground is clear 

 and of your own choosing; but the case is more diffi- 

 cult when you have to do with old trees copsed with 

 hemlock, nettles, and brambles, and surrounded with 

 bad hedges, of many blanks, and choked, root and 

 branch, with an absolute matting of grass. Do not 

 go in a passion to root out trees and all, but exercise 

 a little of that patience which belongs to a slow and 

 steadfast revenge, and which bears with pleasure a 

 present annoyance, because of a plan which, though 

 not quickly, will surely accomplish the triumph of a 

 thorough correction. Every advanced tree is of 

 great price ; it is the purchase of time, not of money. 

 Let a sufficiency be spared, lest, in future, waiting 

 on young plants, you remember the old, and repent 

 the rashness. 



Begin by ordering from the nursery one hundred 

 hollies. Plant them in the best piece of border 

 ground your garden can afford, in rows, eighteen 

 inches apart, and six or eight inches' distant in the 

 row. Let them remain till they are good large bushes 



