226 
On Fences. 
plants for fences should be 4 years old, not more, because when 
older fhey are generally devoid of branches at bottom. They 
may be set at a foot apart, and treated in every respect like the 
poplar, trimming the fence with a hedge-bill, and keeping it at 
the height of 5 feet. The alder will make a strong branchy fence, 
though not very close, and if pruned regularly as directed, it is 
susceptible of a neatness in appearance much beyond what is ge- 
nerally believed of it. Few have the conrage to keep it in sub- 
jection, being a tree of extraordinary exuberance, and striving for 
the first few years to put forth a leader, or in other words, to 
assume its tree-like shape. Afterwards, however, it seems to get 
reconciled to the form of the fence, which is to be accounted for 
by its producing, after repeated prunings, smaller spray or brandies 
which are more equally supported with nourishment and become 
luxuriant all over. 
The Goat Willow — Salix caprea. 
45. As every one knows, the willow generally is a quick grower, 
and delights in moist land ; but it by no means follows that every 
willow is alike suited for fences, for very few of them are rigid 
enough to resist any pressure. I have therefore selected the 
species which possesses the requisite quality in the highest degree ; 
and as it is not always known by the name of the " Goat Willow," 
I may mention that it is called the Black Sallow, and in the north 
of England, the Saugh. In spring it puts forth beautiful yellow 
catkins or blossoms before the leaves appear; those flowers are ga- 
thered by children on Easter Sunday, under the name of " Palms ;" 
and it may help some persons to the right species, when I inform 
them that the first time bees are seen abroad in the spring is when 
on their way to the flowering branches of this tree. The best and 
cheapest way to form a fence of this tree is to procure a number of 
straight shoots 2 or .3 years old, about G feet in length, and insert 
them in the soil to the depth of 15 inches, and at the distance of 
18 inches Irom each other, crossing the rods at right angles, thus: — 
This will form a pretty good hedge even the first year; and by 
irimminff it with the hedge-bill as recommended for the others, it 
will be strongf enouorh at the end of the second season to be left 
unprotected as a fence. 
