78 
when planted on the top of the bank thrown up in forming the 
ditch, so that the superabundant moisture drains off readily. 
In the dry districts, on the contrary, where it is apt to suffer 
from long continued droughts, it ought to be set in level 
ground. 
2. The Spanish Dagger (Yucca aloifolia), a species very 
common in this country, has also been cultivated for fences. 
It is not so unsightly as the Pinguin,but requires time before 
it fulfils the purpose of a fence, the suckers or heads from 
which it is planted not acquiring the requisite height till 
- the end of the first year. Upon the whole, it ought never 
to be applied to this purpose, being unornamental, and by 
no means so useful as many others. lt must, at the same 
time, be confessed, that in the flowering season it is far from 
ungraceful, its stem being covered with dark spiny leaves, 
and surmounted: with its snowy thyrse-like inflorescence. | 
8. Several Cacti are employed for fences; but more com- 
monly in the East Indies and. the Windward Islands than 
with us. This tribe is well adapted for the dry districts, 
their structure enabling them to be content with a scanty 
and occasional supply of moisture. Those which are distin- 
guished by the name of Cerei erecti, as well as some of 
the Opuntie, are what are most commonly used. They 
form pretty good fences. We might, however, object to 
their appearance, as conveying an idea of sterility; and to 
their being easily cut or broken down.  Altogether, they 
are only admissible where none of the other plants we pro- 
ceed to enumerate will grow. Like all the succulent family, 
their propagation is easy, as they take root readily from 
cuttings or joints; and when the old plant dies and decays, 
suckers come up. Of these, one (or more if requisite) may 
be preserved, and planted in the place of the old: one, ae 
stool of which ought previously to be removed. 
4. We now come to a different description of serials in 
the cultivation and training of which more skill is required 
on the part of the husbandman. As the same system of 
management suits them all, we shall dwell more particu- 
larly on the cultivation of the Lime for the purpose of a 
