342 [Senate 



treated in the same manner, makes an equally good hedge, and would 

 probably prove hardier north of South Carolina. The common hol- 

 ly, if set out in the month of March, and cut down to within a few 

 inches of the ground, rarely fails to strike root, and in due sea- 

 son forms a secure hedge. Another description of Ilex, the cassine, 

 may be successfully transplanted for this purpose in February. This 

 plant grows so abundantly in the lower districts, that I have caused it 

 to be cut out of the woods by the road-side in clods a foot square, 

 and set out on land prepared to receive them. Each clod will con- 

 tain four or five young plants, which must be trimmed to within a 

 few inches of the ground. They require no other culture, and will 

 form a good hedge in three years. The thorn will answer, if set out 

 in double or treble rows, as will the crab apple, and other armed 

 plants. All that appears necessary, is to give the hedge a sufficient- 

 ly broad base, not less than three feet, and to cultivate the plants for 

 two or three years. They require, however, to be trimmed annually, 

 in a climate where climbing roses planted in a good soil will throw 

 out shoots twenty feet long in a season. 



The horticulture of this State is gradually improving, and in the 

 neighborhood of Charleston, is not surpassed in the United States. 

 From successful experiments made on the sea coast, at Columbia, 

 which is situated immediately above the first falls of the rivers, at 

 Newberry, in the middle districts, and in this vicinity, at the foot of 

 the blue ridge, there is reason to believe, that throughout the State 

 all the fruits cultivated in Europe may be raised with equal success 

 and less expense, for the trees do not require any protection in win- 

 ter, or any support in summer. So too, nearly all the most beautiful 

 and ornamental shrubs of China, Japan, and the Cape of Good Hope, 

 flourish every where in Carolina in the open air. 



A taste for cultivating fruits and vegetables, flowers and ornamen- 

 tal shrubs, exists generally among people in easy circumstances, but 

 much remains to be done to induce the laboring classes throughout 

 the State to devote more time to this pursuit, and to cultivate gardens 

 near their homesteads, as a source both of health and profit. 

 I have the honor to be, dear sir. 



Very truly, your obedient servant, 



J. R. POINSETT. 



