214 
On Fences. 
ming fences where one and two years' spray has to be cut. The 
labourers throughout Norfolk use this hook with considerable dex- 
terity, and effect very neat workmanship with it. It is well 
adapted for trimming the most improved sort of hedge-fences, 
and will no doubt become much more generally used than it has 
hitherto been. No. 6 is the implement I always use for trimming 
hedges, and it is the favourite with all hedgers throughout Eng- 
land and Scotland. It is extremely light, and may be easily 
worked with one hand. It is adapted only for one year's growth, 
and when kept sharp, which is done with a scythe-stone, it may 
be made to cut as smoothly as when hedge-shears are used, and 
much more rapidly. The time at which the dressing should be 
performed depends entirely upon circumstances. If a hedge is 
not vigorous, and an increase of strength be desirable, pruning 
should be performed during tlie latter part of October, because 
the sap and sustenance which the roots attract from the earth 
during winter will go then to the remaining branches, causing 
them to push next spring with unusual vigour. On the other 
hand, if vigour in a hedge is to be discouraged, the rule is to defer 
pruning till spring, when the food which the plant has been accu- 
mulating during winter will be removed in a certain proportion 
along with the branches then displaced ; or the same end will be 
accomplished if the hedge is pruned in September, before the de- 
scent of the sap has taken place. Unprincipled men are very 
fond of dressing the hedges at the wrong season, on account of its 
being much easier to do so when the branches are full of sap, than 
in the winter time when they are hard and dry. The shape to. 
which fences should be pruned is universally admitted to be that 
represented by a narrow letter A, broad at bottom, and gradually 
tapering to the top, or as represented in the annexed section : — 
