HEDGE-ROW TIMBER. 121 
may be grafted with the varieties and species of the tree. 
Those most handsome and attractive in flower are the scarlet 
and double-red; and several other interesting kinds are 
noticed in our article on THE THORN. 
In planting hedge-row trees their roots should not be sunk 
under the surface beyond their natural depth; the upper 
fibres should be so situated as to be influenced by every 
shower. For the first few years after the tree has been 
inserted, its vigour of growth is much accelerated by the 
surface of the ground being loosened and kept clear of 
herbage around a space comprehending the range of its roots. 
The mode of pruning trees under any circumstances is of 
great importance, but never more so than when they are 
placed in hedge-rows. In the forest, their proximity to one 
another generally, to a great extent, supersedes the necessity 
of much pruning; but when situated individually, no part of 
their management is more important than that this operation 
should be performed skilfully. It should be attended to 
early, so that there be no necessity for the removal of large 
branches. The method of pruning trees for useful purposes 
appears to be ill understood, or, if understood, it is seldom 
adopted. The common method is to clear the trunk of lateral 
branches to a considerable height, and allow the higher ones 
to take their course. This has a tendency to produce a large 
head, widely spread and ramified, and, where this figure of 
growth is desired, we know of no other method which will 
so speedily accomplish the purpose, because it has the effect 
of establishing a host of branches equal in magnitude to the 
leader. This retards the height and adds to the breadth of 
the tree. Where bulk of useful timber is aimed at, the mode 
‘of treatment should be very different. It is then necessary 
to direct attention chiefly to the top or leading shoot, and to 
the branches in its vicinity, with the view of continuing the 
length of the trunk, and preventing it from dividing into 
forks or clefts. This is accomplished by preserving one lead- 
ing shoot, and in shortening the competing ones, or such as 
bear a considerable proportion to the leader, to about half 
