260 THE NURSERY. [March. 
Having now given my decided and unequivocal opinion as to 
which is preferable, for outward fences, I shall proceed to give the 
best instructions in my power for the formation of both; the more 
especially as the ground-hedge is the neatest and most eligible for 
internal hedges in gardens and pleasure-grounds. 
The hawthorn, of all other kinds, is the most suitable for outward 
fences; and here I think it necessary to remark, that the common 
European white-thorn, or Cratsegiis Oxyamntha of Linnaeus, ap- 
pears to answer well in America, but is not of so rapid growth as 
our cockspur thorn, or Crataegus Cms galli; the former makes a 
closer and thicker hedge, but not more formidable, nor so imme- 
diately as the latter. We have many varieties of native hawthorns, 
as described in page 154, &c., either of which will answer very 
well, and convenience must be considered in respect to choice; but 
when choice can be made, a preference should be given to the cock- 
spur thorn, or rather to that kind which is observed to grow most 
luxuriantly in the neighbourhood in which it is intended to be 
planted. 
Tlie Hedge and Bitch. 
The months of October, November, and December, will be the 
most eligible periods in the southern states for making this kind of 
fence, particularly as their frosts can do no injury to the ditch, 
and the roots will have an early establishment, and consequently 
be the better prepared to encounter the summer heats. In the 
middle and eastern states, I would prefer doing this business in 
March, or early in April; as the ditch in that case would have one 
year's advantage of the frost, which, in some kinds of soil, would 
have a considerable effect, particularly in the first year, by swelling 
the earth in the face of the ditch, causing it to moulder down, and 
thereby expose the roots of the quicks; but this can be obviated 
by leaving a scarcement in the front, as hereafter directed. 
Strong year old quicks will answer very well for laying in the 
face of a ditch, but such as have had the advantage of two years' 
growth in nursery rows, after being transplanted when one year 
old from the seed-bed, will sooner form a good fence, or two year 
old plants from the seed-bed will answer a very good purpose. Be 
particular in the taking of them up not to injure their roots but as 
little as possible, and to sort them into three different lots, the 
smallest, larger, and largest, and also to plant each lot together: 
for the mixing of the small with the large, is very injudicious, as 
the former in a little time would be smothered and overgrown by 
the latter, and vacancies consequently formed in the hedge. 
Previous to planting, prune oft' the extremities of any long strag- 
gling and wounded roots, and also cut off' the heads of the plants 
about seven inches above the earth-mark where they stood in the 
ground, and likewise any side branches that remain; let no con- 
sideration prevent your doing this, for on it depends much of your 
success. 
Having your plants in readiness and dressed in this manner, lay 
