HEDGEROW TREES AND HEDGES 237 
have a clause, in favour of the landlord, that 
the hedgerows should contain not less than a 
certain number of standard trees; but one 
of the effects of the fall in the agricultural 
value of land has been that for some ten 
years back, or more, a change of this clause 
has been made, in favour of the farmer this 
time, that not more than a certain number 
of trees may be retained as hedgerow timber. 
It is the luxury of the great landowners, freely 
enjoyed by the nation at large; but it is not eco- 
nomical or consistent with the best utilisation of 
arable or pasture land. To forestall loud censure 
for this opinion, subversive of the existing order 
of things, I would seek shelter under so well 
known an authority on Agriculture as the editor 
of the last edition of Stephen’s Book of the Farm 
‘(Div. v. p. 219); and he likewise fortifies his 
opinion by quoting, with approval, from Lord 
Kames, that ‘To plant trees in the line of a 
| hedge, or within a few feet of it, ought to be 
absolutely prohibited as a pernicious practice.’ 
It would certainly be a national calamity for 
the lover of beautiful scenery if agricultural 
improvement could ever go so far as to efface 
