On Fences. 
209 
why those roots which are already formed should be displaced. 
It is also important that, previous to planting, the quicks should 
be sorted, as near as possible, to an uniform size ; so that no plant 
may have the advantage over another in rising exuberantly to the 
detriment of its weaker neighbours, as is always the case when 
different sizes are used. Nurserymen in general make it a point 
to assort the plants in the proper method ; but it is as well that 
planters should know the importance of getting them as near as 
possible of an equal size and description. 
18. In plaiUing a hedge, the first thing to be done is to stretch 
a line, so that it may run along the centre of the prepared ground. 
Close to this line, which will form one side of it, a perpendicular 
trench is to be opened with tL3 spade, sufficiently deep and roomy 
to hold all the roots of the plants, which are to be placed 6 inches 
apart from each other, and as deep as they had been in the nur- 
sery lines. In cases where the plants are very strong, the space 
between fach plant should be 8 inches. Over the roots a sufficient 
portion of mould is to be placed with the hand in order to keep 
them firm in their places, when an additional quantity is to be 
filled in with the spade. The line of plants is then to be trod 
gently, yet firmly, with the foot, when the remainder of the soil 
may be levelled in about the stems of the plants, and the surface 
finally smoothened with a garden-rake. The plan of planting 
with the dibble is highly improper, because it necessarily gathers 
all the roots together into a small compass ; indeed, careless la- 
bourers will cut off the roots rather than take the trouble to put 
them all into the hole formed with the dibble. The opening of a 
trench with the plough is also to be condemned on account of its 
forming a firm smooth surface at bottom, through which the 
roots can with difficulty penetrate. It is, besides, impossible to 
do the work with any degree of neatness where the plough is in- 
troduced ; but the chief consideration is, that where it is used the 
hedge will not grow so well as in those cases where the spade is 
adopted. 
19. Protection should follow as a matter of course, Many a 
well-formed and carefully planted hedge is ruined for want of 
being guarded from the attacks of cattle browsing upon them ; and 
many more are retarded by the fences set around them being 
either incomplete, or allowed, after any accidental inroad upon 
them, to remain without being mended. The nature of the pro- 
tection will depend entirely on local circumstances. In all cases 
where wood is plentiful, posts and rails are to be adopted. The 
posts should be 4^ feet in length, pointed or sharpened at the end 
with an axe, and driven into the ground with a mallet at the dis^ 
tance of 4^ feet from each other, and to the depth of 15 inches, 
VOL. VI. p 
