FENCING 



225 



Frequently the five-year-old bushes were cut off at the ground 

 and the fence formed entirely by the thick growth of sprouts 

 which came up around the old stumps, a year's growth 

 being trimmed to the proper height. 



A great deal of time and labor is required to secure a 

 fence of this type. A hedge fence must be trimmed at least 

 once during the growing season, and a better fence can be 

 maintained for less cost by two trimmings, during each 

 season, as the growing sprouts cut more easily when small 

 and full of sap. When the hedge is in this condition, two 

 men with corn knives can trim 80 rods in half a day; to 

 cover this same distance would require practically one day's 

 work of two men if the sprouts were permitted to get a 

 full year's growth. 



A hedge makes a very satisfactory fence for cattle, horses, 

 and sheep. It is difficult to get it sufficiently tight near 



Fig. 192. A good hedge jcnce, 40 inches high, 36 inches wide on top 



the ground to hold pigs. It does not blow down, injure stock, 

 or deteriorate with age if properly cared for. The objections 



