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DIVISION THE THIRD.

HEDGES AND HEDGEROW TIMBER.

TH

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

of

HE raifing of LIVE HEDGES and HEDGEROW TIMBER Conftitutes no inconfiderable part the bufinefs of planting. The value of good Hedges is known to every husbandman; and notwithstanding the complaints against Hedgerow Timber, as being liable to be knotty, &c, the quality of the timber itself is not queftioned: its faultinefs arifes, wholly, from an improper treatment of the tree, and not from the fituation of its growth. Indeed, we are clear in our opinion, that, under proper management, no fituation whatever is better adapted to the valuable purpose of raising SHIP TIMBER, than Hedges: The roots have free range in the adjoining inclofures, and the top is expofed to the exercise of the winds, with a fufficient space to throw out lufty arms, and form, at a proper

E 4

proper height, a fpreading head. Thus, quickness of growth, with ftrength and CROOKEDNESS of Timber, are at once obtained.

We are well aware of the injury refulting from woody Hedgerows to arable inclofures; but every man experienced in rural matters must be convinced, that it is not well trained Timber trees, but high Hedges, and low Pollards, which are the bane of corn fields. Thefe, forming a high and impervious barrier, preclude the air and exercife, fo effential to the vegetable, as well as the animal creation in Norfolk, lands thus encumbered are, with great ftrength and propriety of expreffion, faid to be wood-bound. Befides, Pollards and lowfpreading trees are certain deftruction to the Hedge wood which grows under them.

NEITHER of these evils, however, refult from tall Timber Oaks, and a Hedge kept down to four or five feet high: a circulation of air is, in this cafe, rather promoted than retarded; and it is well known, that a pruned Hedge will thrive perfectly well under tall-ftemmed trees, Oaks more especially. We will therefore venture to recommend, for arable inclofures, Hedges pruned down to four or five feet high, with Oak timbers of fifteen to twentyfive feet stem.

BUT

BUT, for grafs lands, higher Hedges are more eligible. The graffes affect warmth, which promotes their growth, and thereby increases their quantity, though their quality may be injured. Befides, a tall fence affords fhelter to cattle; provided it be thick and clofe at the bottom; otherwife, by admitting the air in currents, the blaft is rendered ftill more piercing. The fhade of trees is equally friendly to cattle in fummer, as thick Hedges are in the colder months; therefore, in the Hedges of grafs inclofures, we wish to fee the Oak wave its lofty spreading head, while the Hedge itfelf is permitted to make its natural fhoots: remembering, however, that the oftener it is cut down the more durable it will be as a fence, and the better shelter it will give to cattle; more efpecially if the fides be pruned the first and second years after cutting, in order to give it an upright tendency, and thicken it at the bottom.

UPON bleak hills, and in expofed fituations, it is well to have two or even three rows of Hedge wood, about four feet apart from each other; the middle row being permitted to reach, and always remain at, its natural height; while the fide rows are cut down, alternately, to give perpetual fecurity to the bottom, and afford a conftant fupply of materials for Dead hedges, and other purpofes of Underwood.

HAVING thus given a general sketch of our ideas as to the different kinds of Hedges, and their effects on cultivated lands, we proceed to treat of the method of raising them. In doing this, it will be proper to confider,

1. THE Woods moft eligible for Hedges. 2. THE time and manner of planting them. 3. THE manner of defending the young plants, 4. THE method of cleaning and training them, 5. THE after management.

SECTION THE FIRST.

SPECIES OF HEDGE WOODS,

THE SPECIES OF HEDGE WOOD depends, in forne measure, upon foil and fituation. That which is proper for a found foil, in a temperate fituation, may not be eligible for a marfh, or a mountain: and, indeed, a fence may be formed of any tree or ftrong fhrub, provided it will thrive in the given. fituation. Nevertheless, there are fome fpecies.

much

much more eligible than others; we particularize

the following:

THE HAWTHORN.

THE CRAB BUSH.

THE AQUATIC TRIBE.
THE HOLLY.

THE FURZE.

THE HAWTHORN has been confidered, during time immemorial, as the wood most proper for live fences. This pre-eminence, probably, arose from the feedling plants being readily collected, in woods and waftes; the method of raifing them, in feed beds, being formerly, and indeed in fome parts of the kingdom even to this day, but little practifed. The longevity of the Hawthorn, efpecially if it be frequently cropped, and its patience in cropping, its natural good qualities as a live fence, and its usefulness as affording materials for dead hedges, are other reafons why it has been univerfally adopted. Another advantage of the Hawthorn-It will grow in almost any foil, provided the fituation be tolerably dry and warm. However, if the foil hath not a degree of richness in itself, as well as a geniality of fituation, the Hawthorn will not thrive fufficiently, nor make a progrefs rapid enough, to recommend it, in preference, as a Hedge wood.,

THE

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