The fervice is a tree but little known in Scotland, although it is one of those that ought perhaps to be often cultivated there in preference to any other tree whatever, as it is more hardy, and, in an exposed situation, affords more shelter to other plants than almost any other tree I know: For it fends out a great many ftrong branches from the under part of the ftem, which, in time, affume an upright direction, and continue to advance with vigour, and carry many leaves to the very bottom, almoft as long as the tree exists; fo that, if it is not pruned, it rifes a large close bush, till it attains the height of a forest-tree.

It is of the fame genus with the rawntree-and has a great refemblance to it both in flower and fruit; its branches are more waving and pliant-its leaves undividedbroad and round, fomewhat resembling the elm, but white and mealy on the under fide, It deferves to be better known than it is at prefent.

§ XIV.

§ XIV.

Of the Ufe of the Eglantine in Fencing.

Although the hawthorn makes a very fine fence when planted alone; yet, it is rather improved, by having fome plants of fweetbriar (Eglantine) intermixed with it. For, although this plant is fo weak and ftraggling as never to make a fence ftrong enough by itself; yet, as it advances with such prodigious rapidity, and is fo entirely covered with prickles, it ferves admirably well for intermixing with other ftronger plants, for the purpose of thickening a hedge: And, as the plants can be reared at a very trifling expence, I think they may, on many occafions, be employed with great propriety.

If you employ nothing else than hawthorns, they should be planted about feven

or

or eight inches a-part. But, your hedge will be more quickly reared, and at a more moderate expence, if they are planted at twelve inches a-part, with a plant of eglantine between every two thorns. But the eglantine should be planted out when very young; for, if the plants were large and ftrongly rooted, the fhoots would be fo luxuriant as to be in fome danger of overtopping the thorns and choaking them. Plants of one year's growth, if vigorous, are of the proper fize for this purpose; and these will require no lopping before they are planted.

§ XV.

Of the neceffary Attention to the Hedge the firft Year after Planting.

It will be neceffary to examine the hedge with care, the firft winter after planting; and,

if

1

1

if there are any plants, either stinted or dead, they should be taken out, and their places be immediately fupplied by others, more vigorous, if poffible, than thofe that were planted the year before. For this purpose, every good husbandman should take care to reserve a few of the finest plants that he can pick out, and of the freest shooting kinds of thorn,(for there is a very great difference in this refpe&t) which should be kept in the richest part of the nursery, and have the earth dug about them during the fummerseason, with the greatest care, that their roots may be numerous and well formed. If he has taken this precaution, and is at pains to open the bank with a spade, fo as to allow the roots to be properly placed, and lifts them from the nursery with due care, covering them immediately after planting with the richeft earth that can be got, which ought to be further meliorated by a little well rotted dung, and cuts off the whole

of

of the top at the time of planting; they will, in all probability, make fuch fhoots next year as to be at once out of all danger of being choaked by the others. But, if this small degree of care had been neglected, or even deferred till another season, it would then have been too late, and the hedge must have remained for ever afterwards full of incurable gaps, that might have been effectually prevented by this well-timed attention,

§ XVI,

Directions for Clipping and Pruning Hedges.

Nothing can be more prejudicial to a young hedge than an injudicious application of the fciffars; and, although it be extremely common to clip the top of a hedge for a few years at firft, even where it is to be discontinued ever afterwards; yet, it would