TREES A^'D SHRUBS FOR FENCES. 
539 
unless the soil is prepared. In rich ground, 
it sliould be planted in preference to the haw- 
thorn, for it grows very rapidly, is very 
beautiful in summer, and, in such situations, 
retains a great proportion of its leaves during 
winter. In order that it may be safely 
trusted where cattle are grazing, a double line 
of plants, eighteen inches apart, should be 
inserted, and these ultimately form a strong 
framework on either side, sufficient to resist 
the attacks of any description of live stock. 
In poor peat}' soils, or on iiigh exposed dis- 
tiicts, it will not grow well ; but around, 
homesteads, and the fields adjoining, it cer- 
tainly deserves more general cultivation. The 
time for trimming the beech is the month of 
October; but neat workmanship cannot be 
performed, in this instance, without the hedge- 
shears. The proper plants to be used are 
such as have stood in nursery-lines for two or 
three years. In the fence-lines, they should 
be placed at about one foot apart ; and if 
well-rotted manure is used, it will materially 
hasten their growth. 
6. The Sloe-thorx {Primus spinosa). — 
This is one of the few plants that will grow 
tolerably well in sand, and in heath land 
where there is a considerable portion of peat- 
soil. It rises naturally throughout England, 
but is very rarely cultivated in Scotland, 
though it is unquestionably hardy enough to 
grow there. la good soils, it is a rapid 
grower, forming strong spines, and lasting as 
long as the hawthorn. It is very important 
to bear in mind that all blackthorn plants used, 
in hedges should be raised from seeds, and 
not from suckers, as, in the latter case, the 
roots spread throughout the adjoining lands, 
and threaten to overrun whole fields. When 
seedlings are used, this does not take place, 
except in rare instances. The berries are 
ripe in November, when they should be 
gathered, and laid in a heap of sand, and 
mixed with it frequently during winter. 
They should be sown in the month of Feb- 
ruary, or early in IMarch, during open wea- 
ther, and covered fully an inch in depth. In 
the seed-beds they may remain two years, 
then transplanted in lines fifteen inches apart, 
and about three inches from plant to plant. In 
tiie nurseries, seedling plants may be had at 
T-s. Qd. per thousand, and those ready for 
fencing at 12.s. Qd. per thousand. In all cases 
where the subsoil is unbroken, the hedge-line 
should be trenched, and the plants inserted six 
inches apart from each other. 
7. The Crab, or Wild Apple {Pymis 
Iilalus). — The proper plants of this tree for 
hedge-fencing, are such as have been raised 
from wildlings, or the true crub, — such as are 
groAvn from the seeds of grafted apples being 
frequently spineless. Three objections have 
been urged against this tree as a fence-plant : 
its high price, its liability to insects, and its 
refusing to grow freely except on sandy loam. 
The first may be safely pronounced a mistake; 
for, on takiug up any respectable nursery- 
man's Catalogue, it will be found that the 
price for suitable plants is from lo.«. to IZ. per 
thousand, — a rate very little higher than that 
demanded for white thorn. In some seasons, 
it is certainly liable to be attacked by cater- 
pillars ; but bej^ond the unsightly appearance 
which ensues, there is but little harm done. 
Its love for deep loamy soil, and for no other, 
is certainly correct ; but it should be remem- 
bered, that when it meets with such, it excels 
all other hedge-plants as a free grower, and 
as a stubborn, lasting fence. Those plants 
which are sold about 1/. per thousand may 
be placed eight inches apart from each other ; 
and such as are stronger, at one foot from 
each other. When the plants ai-e inserted, 
they should be all cleanly topped with a sharp 
knife, at about four inches from the surface 
of the ground ; and if the soil is properly 
manured, they Avill send up, during the first 
year, luxuriant shoots a foot or two in length. 
8. The Alder {Alnus glutuwsa). — I have 
proved beyond any doubt, that, if the land is 
sufficiently loosened, this plant will grow very 
freely in peat, sand, and in the Avorst descrip- 
tion of soils. The usual impression is, that 
it is suited only to bogs and damp meadow- 
land ; but I have no hesitation in stating that 
this is by no means the case : in trenched 
land, by the sea-side, and in the most exposed 
districts, it thrives luxuriantly. As a hedge- 
plant, it is rough and uneven, not willing to 
lose its form as a tree ; but after it has been 
moulded for a few years, it makes a very good, 
fence, and sends out small spray much denser 
than might be expected. Young plants, such 
as have been transplanted for one or two 
years only, are better than old ones ; for the 
latter are generally devoid of branches at 
bottom, — a defect which is not easily I'emedied. 
Suitable plants may be obtained at the nur- 
series for lo.s". per thousand. They should be 
placed six inches apart from each other, and 
trimmed every year, in September, with the 
switching-hook. 
9. The Spruce (Abies excelsa). — In one 
description of soil — that of a damp loam — no 
tree excels the spruce as a fence-plant. It 
will grow well, for a few years, in any kind of 
land ; but in shallow soils, such as sand and 
gravel, it will soon become stunted, assuming 
a yellowish hue, and losing its under branches. 
This last circumstance renders it very unfit 
for being used generally. However, in all 
situations which are inclined to be damp, and 
especially in those with a north-east aspect, it 
will assume, and retain for many years, a 
