Hedges and Plantations. MS, 



3 to 4 ft. broad at the base, from 5 to 7 ft. high, and from 

 6 in. to one foot wide at the top. When pruned, they are 

 always cut upwards with a knife or bill, and are never clipped, 

 or cut downwards. The estate of Mr. Oswald, at Auchin- 

 cruive, is, in this respect, as in most others, a perfect model 

 for landed proprietors. In Dumfriesshire and the stewartry 

 of Kircudbright, the hedges by the roadsides are frequently 

 planted in dwarf walls, which are backed up with earth (as 

 the caper plant is about Marseilles and Toulon), so as to 

 spring up from the face of them, and form hedges over their 

 tops ; a practice suitable for districts abounding in stones, 

 because it saves all expense of cleaning the hedge when 

 young, and insures a close-bottomed fence. 



The Plantations^ which have so much improved the general 

 features of the west of Scotland, have three defects, more or 

 less conspicuous. These ai'e, too great a sameness in the 

 mixture of trees, a want of variety of character in the outline 

 of the masses, and a general neglect of thinning. The mix- 

 ture consists almost every where of larch, firs, common pine, 

 and round-headed trees : whereas, in low situations, with the 

 exception of spruce firs, and some sorts of poplar and willow, 

 round-headed trees only, or chiefly, should have been planted ; 

 and spiry- topped trees only, or chiefly, in very elevated 

 situations. At all events, this may be considered as a sort of 

 general rule, suitable for those who cannot apply a principle. 

 We are quite aware that a great deal may be said in defence 

 of the present practice : it may be alleged that the larches and 

 pines are merely intended as nurses ; that all of them will 

 ultimately be removed ; and that, whether the situation be 

 high or low, no trees can be more beautiful. We shall not 

 stop to enter into the details of both sides of these and similar 

 arguments, but observe that the birch, the alder, the willow, 

 and the poplar will be found of as rapid growth, and the 

 latter, at least, fully as profitable, in many situation, as the 

 larch and the pine. The spruce fir, also, in cold, low, and 

 wet lands, forms one of the most rapid-growing and profitable 

 of trees. In all situations, neither very high nor very low, 

 trees may be safely and profitably planted in masses, almost 

 entirely of the same sort, without any nurses. With a 

 knowledge of these facts, and some taste for general effect, a 

 variety in the aspect of the plantations, on any one estate, 

 may be easily produced, without any loss of profit, in bulk or 

 value of timber, being sustained. Every considerate gardener 

 will allow this ; and we remind gardeners of it, much less in 

 the way of finding fault, than as affording hints for their 

 future guidance. 



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