ON RAISING AND MANAGING HEDGES. 145 
plated to form one in four or five years, when the hedge will 
be of sufficient height to remain without further protection ; 
and therefore it is necessary in planting that the roots pro- 
ject to the opposite side to that on which the trench is 
intended. Should it be resolved not to form a ditch along 
the hedge in a few years after it is planted, the hedge may 
be continued, as it stands slightly elevated above the ordinary 
level of the ground. The advantage of the ditch is, that it 
helps much to strengthen the fence on the side on which it 
is formed, and by casting the principal part of the soil from 
the ditch to the opposite side of the hedge, it places the hedge 
on a ledge cr slope, rendering it easily cleaned, and making it 
more efficient as a fence, and the ground cast out prevents the 
roots from injuring the adjoining crops. The ditch may be 
formed large or small according to the circumstances or the 
nature of the situation, and it is recommended to be formed 
when the hedge is just about to become a fence of itself, 
and at the time the fences for its protection are to be 
removed. 
The mode of planting the different kinds of plants is the 
same, but the distances, the quality of soil suitable for each, 
the size of the plants, and the kinds that may be associated, 
are circumstances that require to be noticed in reference to 
each species. 
Hawthorn (Crategus oxyacantha).—This is the best of all 
plants for an efficient fence in any soil of ordinary quality. 
There are several varieties of the species, distinguished by 
larger leaves and berries, and of more vigorous growth, but 
the differences are not important. In selecting plants their 
strength should be attended to, and not their age or height. 
Plants six or eight years old, that have been twice or thrice 
transplanted, and are fibrous-rooted, are always more profitable 
than smaller ones, although they are double the price per 
thousand; they admit of being planted thinner by a few 
inches between the plants, they spring more vigorously, are 
subject to fewer casualties, and require protection for a shorter 
period. Few plants suffer more readily by having their roots 
K 
