160 MY FARM. 



hemlock hedge of wanton luxuriance. A city gar- 

 den could never yield the breadth it demands ; but 

 upon the farm, the complete and graceful protection 

 it gives, is well purchased, at the cost of a few feet 

 of land. !N~or is much time required for its growth ; 

 five years since, and this hedge of four feet in 

 height, by two hundred yards in length, was all 

 brought away from the wood in a couple of market 

 baskets. 



The importance of garden shelter is by no means 

 enough considered. I do not indeed name my own 

 method as the best to be pursued ; flanking buildings 

 or high enclosures may give it more conveniently 

 in many situations ; a steep, sudden hillside may give 

 it best of all ; but it should never be forgotten that 

 while we humor the garden soil with what the plants 

 and trees best love, we should also give their foli- 

 age the protection against storms which they covet ; 

 and which, in an almost equal degree, contributes to 

 their luxuriance. 



To the dwarf fruit, as well as to the grape, this 

 shelter is absolutely essential ; if they are compelled 

 to fortify against aggressive blasts, they may do it 

 indeed ; but they will, in this way, dissipate a large 

 share of the vitality which would else go to the fruit. 

 Young cattle may bear the exposure of winter, but 

 they will be pinched under it, and take on a weazen 



