72 



Fences and Hedges. 



[may, 



condition to act as a fence, and then be of further use for 

 repairs. 



Except for cutting back the thorn at the time of planting a 

 thorn hedge should not be trimmed or dressed until four or 

 five years after planting. The stems of the plants thicken 

 more than when they are trimmed from the first, and when 

 cut back to, say, 2 ft. from the ground they present a strong 

 appearance. From a great many of the thorns there will 

 have come away two, three, or four shoots, some of which 

 can be dispensed with, and should be cut near the bottom 

 to encourage further growth at that place. An important 

 point in the rearing of hedges is to keep them clean, and 

 it is often necessary to clean twice or three times during 

 the year where weeds are troublesome. If weeds are allowed 

 to choke a hedge it is deprived of light and air (two 

 important factors which determine healthy plant growth), the 

 growth is weakened at the place where it is most required, 

 and immature shoots are formed, which are likely to be affected 

 by frost, and to be predisposed to the attacks of insects. 



The illustration (Fig. 1) shows a thorn hedge which was planted 

 in 1 90 1. It is a double-rowed one, and cut for the first time in. 

 1905. Previous to planting this fence there had been one'growing 

 on the same bed exposed to ground game. In 1901 there was 

 practically no growth, the small knarled stumps having been 

 nibbled off by rabbits and hares. It was thought advisable 

 to trench afresh, and put in new plants, treatment which has 

 proved successful in consequence of the deep trenching and 

 wiring in of the hedge. The fence now is on an average nearly 

 5 ft. high and is being cut down to 2 ft. from the ground, and, if a 

 vigorous grower, will be dressed annually. Some manure was 

 applied to this fence about a year after planting, and has had a 

 good effect. It is almost useless attempting to grow hedges on 

 old sites without adding fresh material in the form of, say, road 

 edgings or manure. 



After first commencing to trim into shape a hedge which is 

 not growing well, it is an advantage to trim every alternate 

 year instead of yearly ; this has a tendency to strengthen it. 



Too much cannot be said in favour of keeping hedges clean. 

 If they are allowed to become very foul, there is always a 



