72 



CRATAEGUS. 



between two fields, they require a railing on each side for 

 some years. The ditch and dyke mode, on the contrary, 

 is a fence without further expense, and there is little doubt 

 but that this plan of fencing was at first adopted in con- 

 sequence of the naked state of the country, and the 

 impossibility of procuring railing sufficient to protect the 

 young quicks ; this want has now, in most districts, ceased 

 to exist, as plantations have sprung up in all directions, 

 and railing can be had at a very cheap rate ; but old 

 habits are not easily overcome, and it is well known how 

 difficult it is to induce a departure from ordinary practice, 

 even where a plan as easily executed and more advan- 

 tageous is proposed to supply its place. 



Thorns for hedge-plants are reared from the seed, not 

 but that cuttings of the roots of old plants will answer 

 very well and grow rapidly, as we have ourselves ex- 

 perienced, but as these can only be had where an old 

 hedge has to be taken up, it is only occasionally that 

 they become available for replanting. 



The haws should not be gathered before the end of 

 October, or in November, as they are seldom fully ripe 



