270 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



EVERGREENS. 



8. Thuya occidentalis. — American Arbor-vitae. This is the most satisfactory 

 evergreen tested here for hedge purposes. It is a native tree and quite common in 

 many parts of Canada, growing in a great variety of soils which render it very suitable 

 for hedges. Its neat, compact appearance and bright green leaves make it very orna 

 mental in summer, while in winter, although the leaves are duller, it yet remains quite 

 attractive. In 1888 and 1889 more than one mile of this tree was planted at the 

 Central Experimental Farm, as a hedge, which is now very compact and about 6 feet in 

 height. The sample hedge planted in 1890 is now 4 feet in height and 4 feet 7 inches 

 in width. The American arbor-vitae requires only one clipping each year which is best 

 done in August. 



9. Thuya occidentalis aurea Douglasii. — Douglas' Golden Arbor-vitae. This beauti- 

 ful golden leaved evergreen is highly recommended for those who desire a golden tinted 

 species for hedge purposes. It has formed one of the most beautiful hedges tested here, 

 being of a bright yellow colour which makes a fine contrast with the green of other 

 hedges. Planted in 1894, this hedge is now 2 feet 4 inches in height and 2 feet in 

 width. 



10. Picea excelsa. — Norway spruce. The Norway spruce makes a compact, firm, 

 handsome hedge, and is ornamental at all seasons of the year but as it is a very vigor- 

 ous grower it requires severer clipping than some others to keep it from growing too 

 large; planted in 1889 this hedge is now 5 feet 3 inches in height, and six feet 8 inches 

 in width. 



11. Picea alba. — White spruce. This native evergreen is not so rapid a grower 

 as the Norway spruce, and does not require as much clipping. It makes a very hand- 

 some compact hedge with a better colour than the Norway spruce. Planted in 1889, 

 this hedge is 4 feet in height, and 5 feet 1 inch in width. 



12. Pinus Strobus. — White pine. Although a little irregular and loose when 

 planted, this native tree has made a beautiful compact hedge. It is soft and yielding 

 to the touch and would not be valuable where a firm hedge is desired. The leaves 

 remain a lively green throughout the winter making it very ornamental all the year. 



13. Picea pungens glav^a. — Rocky Mountain blue spruce. The blue spruce 

 makes one of the most beautiful evergreen hedges grown. Its colour is pale steely blue 

 which produces a fine contrast with a green lawn. It is a slow growing tree and makes 

 a very neat compact hedge, requiring little clipping. Planted in 1891, it is now 3 feet 

 in height and 3 feet 3 inches in width. As this tree varies in colour from green to blue, 

 in procuring hedge plants, the blue variety should be ordered. 



A word of caution in regard to the honey locust (Gleditschia triacanthos) is here 

 given to intending hedge planters. While this tree, undoubtedly, makes a very ornamental 

 and useful farm hedge in certain parts of Ontario ; at Ottawa, all specimens have not 

 proven hardy ; the result being that the hedge is broken and uneven. Furthermore as 

 this is a very vigorous tree making strong growth throughout most of the summer it is 

 difficult to keep it looking well without frequent clipping and if not kept well cut back 

 will soon become quite tree like. The hawthorns which grow in eastern Ontario and 

 Quebec are much hardier, will hold cattle nearly as well and require much less pruning. 

 A hedge of the downy leaved hawthorn (Crataegus tomentosa) planted here in 1891 is 

 now 5 feet 4 inches in height and 4 feet in width. The scarlet fruited hawthorn 

 (Crataegus coccinea) should make a very handsome hedge, as the leaves are glossy and 

 ornamental. 



