March.] THE NURSERY. 261 
especially as the ground-hedge is the neatest and most eligible foF 
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 while-thorn, or Crataegus Oxyacantha of Linnseus, appears 
to answer well in America, but is not of so rapid growth, as our 
cockspur thorn, or Crataegus Crus galti; the former makes a closer 
and thicker hedge, but not more formidable, nor so immediately as 
the latter. We have many varieties of native hawthorns, as described 
in page 155, &c. either of which will answer very well, and conve- 
nience must be considered in respect to choice; but when choice 
can be made, a preference should be given to the cockspur thorn, or 
rather to that kind which is observed to grow most luxuriantly, in 
the neighbourhood in which it is intended to be planted. 
TJie Hedge and Ditch. 
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 there- 
by expose the roots of the quicks; but this can be obviated, by leav- 
ing 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 year's 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 pos- 
sible, 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 vacan- 
cies consequently formed in the hedge. 
Previous to planting, prune off 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 
them by the heels in the earth, to be taken up as wanted, lest their 
roots should become dry and be injured thereby. Then proceed to 
form your ditch, which should be four feet wide at least at top, nar- 
rowing with a gentle slope on each side towards the bottom, to the 
perpendicular depth of two feet and a half, where it should be one 
