On Fences. 
217 
Being a close-growing shrub, and an evergreen, it forms a most 
desirable shelter for cattle pasturing in fields surrounded by it ; 
and as it grows much better than the hawthorn under hedge-row 
trees (which are absolutely necessary around grazing lands), it 
ought in every case to be adopted in enclosing meadows and pas- 
tures not overcharged with moisture. It is, besides, a much more 
beautiful object than the hawthorn ; and being recommended near 
to dwellings, it is important to recollect that it is a tree which does 
not exhale any perceptible vapour. Added to these are the follow- 
ing important considerations : — 1st, its keeping itself almost free 
from weeds, for from the closeness of its branches at bottom it 
excludes the air so effectually that none can grow ; 2dly, its not 
being liable to the attacks of any insects; and 3dly, its not being 
resorted to by birds. The reasons why it has not been so generally 
adopted as it deserves are, 1st, a prevalent idea that it is a slow 
grower; and 2dly, the high price of the plants. A strict com- 
pliance with the rules laid down for the preparation of the soil 
(27) and for the choice of plants (30) will obviate the first objec- 
tion ; and the other may be modified considerably by every one 
raising the plants for himself, agreeably to the instructions de- 
tailed (35). 
26. Soil and situation. — Let no one be deterred from planting 
the holly from an idea that the soil is not suitable for it, providing 
it is not bog land, or soil absolutely saturated with wet. It cer- 
tainly triumphs over more varied localities than the hawthorn : it 
is found flourishing on dry gravelly land as well as on strong claj'. 
Sand, and sandy loam, are the soils it delights in most, and when 
it meets with these it shoots up luxuriantly. 
27. Preparation of the soil. — As in the case of the hawthorn 
and all other hedge trees, the site intended for the holly should be 
trenched and manured several months before the time of planting. 
The trench in this case I would recommend to be a yard in width, 
and at least a yard in depth. It matters not what sort of manure 
be used, for by the time the soil is turned up all sorts will bs pretty 
well reduced to a certain quality. The chief thing is to have the 
soil loose and fertile, and to accomplish the latter nothing can be 
better than well-rotted farm-yard manure. By the deep trenching 
recommended, the soil will be raised about half a foot higher than 
it was before, but it will afterwards sink down, so that none of it 
should be removed. 
28. Site for the plants. — ITie plane surface, with a fence on 
either side, is best ; but where the materials for fencing cannot be 
procured, cast a ditch on one side and raise a mound on the other 
with the soil taken out of the ditch, and if the soil should be insuf- 
ficient for that purpose, top it with dead branches such as can be 
got in the neighbourhood. The bank raised must not be imme- 
