2i6 FENCES. 9. 



Thofe which ftrike the eye with a pecu- 

 liar luxuriancy of growth, arc about fifty 

 YEARS OLD : and it is abundantly evident, 

 that hedges growing in a good foil may, until 

 they have reached that age, be hcculed fence- 

 high with a degree of fafety. But, on a 

 nearer view, it appears to me equally evi- 

 dent, that the pra<5tlcc cannot be exercifed, 

 in perpetuity, with any degree of propriety. 



On examining hedges, which have noc been 

 planted seventy years, and which have 

 been treated invariably in that manner, I find 

 they have already received irreparable injury. 

 I'he underling plants are already fo far de- 

 ilroycd as to leave vacancies of three feet or 

 more in width ; while the mailer plants, now 

 no longer of themfelves a fence againil: fiieep, 

 h.ave acquired ftems of a tree-like fizc. 



Felling to the ground, and training 2, 

 range of 7ieiv Jlens, is the only effecflual re- 

 medy of this evil. But this when deferred 

 too long is impradicable, or at lead dan- 

 gerous. Large old flcnis v^'ill not always 

 furvive the operation; but if applied in time, 

 and with due care, the remedy is certain 

 without iin<. 



It 



