218 
On Fences. 
diately over the roots of the plants, for a certain degree of air is 
necessary to their free development : the side of it, therefore, should 
be fifteen inches away from the plants. 
29. Time for planting. — The best season for planting is from 
November till March ; for though the holly and all evergreens 
are often removed during summer, the most eligible season must 
be that in which there is I he least chance of their being affected by 
evaporation. The particular day to be chosen is when the atmo- 
sphere is humid, and the elements still ; for though some may 
tliink these unnecessary precautions, they will assuredly tell well on 
the first year's growth of the plants. It must be remembered that 
the holly is rather a shy plant to remove ; hence the necessity of 
choosing the cloudiest weather for the purpose. 
30. Choice of plants. — No plants should be used unless those 
which had been transplanted the previous year, in which case every 
plant will be furnished with an abundance of fibrous roots ; and 
though they may not look so well as those which had stood in one 
place for two or three years, yet their certainty of growing over- 
balances every other consideration. Plants of six to ten years of 
age should be preferred to younger ones, for young plants are pro- 
verbial for the slowness of their growth; but when they get to 
about eight years of age they commence to grow rapidly. They 
require no preparation either by pruning the root or the top. 
Where the distance is not great, balls of earth may be carried with 
the plants, and this precaution will still further ensure their vigo- 
rous growth even the first season. 
31. Planting the holly. — This is accomplished by setting the 
line, and opening a straight trench or furrow with the spade, as 
recommended for the hawthorn. In this trench the plants should 
be set upright and close to ihe side of the trench, so that a straight 
line may be formed by them. The distance between the plants 
should be at least a foot, and in cases where they are very bushy 
fifteen inches apart will be close enough. They should be planted 
about half an inch deeper than they stood before, and the soil, 
laid immediately to their roots, should if possible be pulverized. 
In order that they may stand firm and upright they should be trod 
gently immediately after the roots are covered ; and during this 
operation the best opportunity presents itself for adjusting such of 
the plants as do not fall in exactly to the straight line. By taking 
hold of the top and treading the root at the same time any plant 
may be easily made to assume its proper position. 
32. Pruning and after -management. — For the first two seasons 
the hedge will require no pruning, but after the third year sucli. 
parts of the sides as become broad and irregular had bettor be 
clipped into uniformity. 1 say clipped, meaning by the hedge 
shears, for the holly is too thick, and its leaves too numerous, to 
