ON RAISING AND MANAGING HEDGES. 147 
the manure, which should afterwards be dug into the clean 
ground; in this case a double digging is occasioned in con- 
sequence of previous neglect, by allowing weeds to get 
entangled with the roots—one of the common sources of 
failure in hedges. 
Few plants can advantageously be mixed with thorn in the 
formation of fences; the best I have experience of is the 
evergreen holly. When a plant of holly is inserted here and 
there among thorns, although it may remain for some years 
comparatively obscured, yet I have found that it ultimately 
appears in vigour, and has a tendency to prevail and spread 
rather than to be suppressed. This arises from its being an 
excellent underwood—growing well in the shade of other 
trees. It has no tendency to weaken a hedge, or to produce 
gaps, and when regularly interspersed in a thorn hedge it 
adds to its shelter and embellishment throughout the months 
of winter. I have also found the evergreen privet thrive well 
when interspersed with thorn ; it adds to the closeness of the 
hedge, particularly near the ground, and affords a freshness to 
the aspect in winter, but being a feeble plant it contributes 
nothing to the strength of the fence. 
The Beech (Fagus sylvatica).—This is a very useful plant for 
hedges or screen fences. It luxuriates in dry, rich, loose soil, 
but is apt to become diseased when placed near the rise of 
stagnant water. It sometimes forms a fence in soil so dry 
that the hawthorn fails to thrive. 
The usual size of beech hedge plants is from eighteen inches 
to two feet. Such plants are generally two years transplanted 
and four years old, and range in price from 15s. to 25s. per 
thousand, according to quality and the supply, etc. Plants 
for hedges should be grown thin in the nursery lines, and well 
furnished with branches near the surface of the ground, and 
inserted as recommended for thorns, according to their size, 
eight, ten, or twelve inches asunder. The plant naturally 
grows with a good shape for a hedge plant, it also roots well 
if frequently transplanted, and by affording it sufficient room 
it is capable of being removed in safety into soil of ordinary. 
