116 
ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS OF 
Fig* 
Fig, 28. 
shaded by trees, it may be well to vary the form so that that side 
shall present a broader surface to the vertical light to compen- 
sate for the lesser sunlight, as shown by Figs. 29 
and 30. The two sides of a hedge are rarely seen 
at one view, so that its apparent symmetry will not 
be marred ; and this difference of form may be re- 
commended as a pleasing variety — giving the beauty 
of two forms of hedge in one — as well as for the 
purpose of equalizing the vigor of the two sides. 
Arbor-vitae and hemlock hedges may be made 
of any height, from three to fifteen feet. Those 
which are to be kept of the minimum size will re- 
quire almost as much time to perfect them as the taller ones, 
as they must be cut back frequently from the start, to force the 
plants into a dwarf habit, and ought to be grown to the required 
breadth at the bottom before they are of full height. 
For a height of three feet, let the hedge be two feet 
wide at the bottom. As the height is increased the 
base need not increase proportionally. A hedge six 
feet high may have a base of three and a half feet, 
one ten feet high five feet, and so on ; remembering 
to give the side which is to have the least light the 
greatest expansion at the bottom. 
We consider the tree box, where hardy, the best of all ever- 
green trees for low hedges, and though its growth is slow com- 
pared with that of the trees already named, we would use it in 
preference to anything else for hedges not designed to be more 
than three feet high. But it may 
not be hardy enough to be reliable 
in a climate more severe than that 
of the city of New York ; and as it 
does best in partially shaded places, 
it is less beautiful in open, dry, and 
sunny exposures. For such places 
the arbor-vitae is better. 
For topiary screens of great height the hemlock and Norway 
spruce, both of which bear cutting well, are very beautiful. More 
Fig. 29. 
