206 SUBURBAN GARDENS 
Hedges 
The growth and maintenance of a clipped 
hedge is really a matter of pruning almost al- 
together, and the observance of the pruning 
rule previously formulated governs the work 
absolutely. The first essential to the success of 
a deciduous hedge is density at the base, and 
this is only secured by the most heroic cutting 
back at time of planting, or at the time of tak- 
ing up the work of training an old hedge that 
has gone to ruin. 
Privet, which is the commonest and best all 
around cheap hedge plant we have, should be 
cut back to stumps not over three or four inches 
in height, early in the spring. By midsummer, 
after these have branched abundantly, prune 
again, this time removing two thirds or more 
of length from all branches, thus getting down 
to about a six inch height. With this shearing 
the shaping of the hedge which is to insure its 
continued density at the base should be begun. 
This shape is based upon the need for light 
which is usually denied the lower part of a 
hedge by the overshadowing width of its upper 
part. To secure plenty of this much needed 
element for the lower branches the top is nar- 
rowed constantly, so that the form is an in- 
