March.] THE NURSERY. 259 
earth, or unless they are, at the time of sowing, taken fresh out of 
the fruit. See page 157". 
Sowing Haws for raising Thorn-quicks. 
It will be necessary to sow your haws as early in this month as 
possible, if not done in the last, for the reasons assigned in the 
Nursery for February, page 151, &c. where you will find ample 
directions both for the preparation and sowing of the seeds, &c. 
You may any time this month, particularly after the middle, or 
towards the latter end, take up your one or two year old seedling- 
quicks, out of the beds where they were raised, and plant them into 
nursery rows, as directed in 154. Should it be your intention to 
let them remain in those rows to grow to a large size, the more im- 
mediately to make a fence, when planted out, set them at greater 
distances than there directed, but they always succeed best when 
planted young. 
During the continuance of the plants in those rows, they must be 
kept free from weeds, and each spring and autumn it will be neces- 
sary to dig between them to loosen the earth, which will greatly 
strengthen and invigorate their growth. 
Live Hedges. 
Live hedges are already become objects of serious importance, 
particularly in those parts of the Union in which timber has got 
scarce, and must inevitably become more so in a very rapid pro- 
gression; therefore the sooner the citizens turn their attention to 
the cultivation and planting of them, the greater portion of their 
benefits will they themselves enjoy, and the sooner will they lay 
the foundation of a rich inheritance for their children, and of an 
ornamental and useful establishment for their country. 
Our farmers not being accustomed to the making of live hedges, 
may for some time be very tardy in attempting it; those of greater 
penetration will not hesitate a moment but commence immediately; 
others will look on for years to see the result, which will be so 
much time, profit, and pleasure lost to themselves; and conse- 
quently a proportionate injury done to their posterity. Some will 
try the experiment; but in such a half-way, negligent, slovenly 
manner, as to insure disappointment; I would advise such to hold 
fast by the post and rail, and not to lose time in doing more harm 
than good. 
It has been asserted that any other than ground hedges, that is, 
such as are established on the plain surface without a ditch, are 
unnecessary in the United States; but why in the United States 
any more than in those countries, that ages of experience and 
necessity have taught to give a decided preference to the hedge and 
ditch.^ Such may succeed in very good ground, and with uncommon 
care; but it is an incontrovertible and well known fact that a hedge 
and ditch will make a more formidable fence, in three years, than a 
ground-hedge will in ten. 
