162 



THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



FIQ 38 



described ; and we now come to consider the way in which it should 

 be treated until it becomes a fence. The plants should be allowed 

 to grow for two years after being planted before they are switched or 

 cut in any way. The beech-plants do not stand cutting well during 

 the first year ; and the thorn-plants at the end of two years will have 

 attained a much stronger stem than they would have if they had been 

 cut at the end of the first year. During these two years the surface of 

 tne so ^ next ^ e Pl ants should be kept free from weeds ; and to 

 do this thoroughly, the soil will require to be slightly dug or 

 deeply hoed twice in each year to about a foot in width on each 

 side of the plants. After allowing it to grow for two years, it 

 should be cut or switched over, leaving it about one foot high. 

 Pig. 38 is the form 6f switching-bill I have used, and, I may 

 state, is the best implement for the purpose, and is made by 

 Sanderson of Dunse. 



The hedges should afterwards be cut or switched up once in 

 each year, leaving at each cutting about four or five inches of the 

 last season's growth in height, and cutting it in the sides so as to 

 leave about one and a half inch of the last growth ; and after 

 the hedge has attained a height of about four feet, it will then 

 be high enough for an ordinary field or plantation fence, after 

 which the hedge should be kept to about these dimensions- a near as 

 possible. 



There are three forms of hedges, each suiting different purposes. 



Fig. 39 shows the end view of a form of 

 hedge adapted for general farm and plan- 

 tation purposes. This is what is termed 

 the " wedge " form, and if kept regularly 

 switched, it is the best adapted for farm 

 fences, and is easily kept in order. If a 

 hedge of this form is switched every year, 

 a good hedger can, with one of Sanderson's 

 knives, clear all the twigs with one upward 

 stroke from the bottom of the hedge to the 

 top, the length of the blade. On a great many estates it is not thought 

 necessary to switch the hedges every year, but it is mistaken policy not 

 to do so. The cost of keeping a well-formed hedge in order is very 

 small per annum ; a good switcher will cut them at the rate of 2d. per 

 chain of twenty-two yards. 



Another form of hedge used in some districts is shown in fig. 40. 

 It will be observed, from the rounded form of the hedge shown in 

 the sketch, that it must be more expensive to switch than the wedge- 



FIQ. 39. 



