[ 53 ] 



Hedging varies much in different coun- 

 tries, but the two grand diftin<51:ions are, 

 cutting all the wood up, and making a 

 hedge totally of dead wood : and the plafli- 

 ing method of cutting only part up, leaving 

 as many live hedge ftakes as poffible, and 

 much fluff to be plafhed among the dead 

 bufhes. I fliall venture from experience, 

 particularly to recommend the latter me- 

 thod : I know from* long pra6lice, that the 

 firft method is a pernicious one ; and 1 alio 

 know from practice, that the latter is an 

 excellent method. 



When the hedges coniift all of dead 

 wood, their total deflruccion is inevitable, 

 as foon as the ftakes rot in the gi-^ound, 

 which in common is in one year and al- 

 v^ays in two : a high wind, or a deep 

 fnow then bears down whole miles of 



thefe hedges into the' ditches fo as to 



admit an army to pafs them without 

 trouble ; and the deilruclion of the dead 

 hedge opens an immediate attack upon the 

 young live one, before it is nearly arrived at 

 an age to defend itfelf — the confequence 

 of which is, perpetual gaps : whatever 

 fums a landlord lays out in this manner, 

 E 3 ajc 



