WINTER MEETING, 1879. 31 



orange for hedges in that state and Iowa. Mr. Taylor gives the following 

 figures as to the cost of growing a good hedge, and says they are based on his 

 own experience, and will represent about the average cost of IGO rods : 



Preparation of ground before planting $3 00 



2,5G0 plants set one foot apart at $3 per m 7 G8 



Preparing ground and setting 3 75 



Cultivating five years, four dollars each year 20 00 



Trimming second year. _ 3 00 



Trimming third year — _.. 4 50 



Trimming fourth year 6 00 



Trimming fifth year 7 50 



Trimming sixth year and plashing 12 00 



Total --- - ^G7 43 



The interest on the amounts expended each year, at seven per cent per 



annum, will equal $8 57 



A low estimate for use of the land for five years would be 4 00 



A total of - - $80 00 



For IGO rods, or 60 cents per rod. 



These figures are for the plan of plashing, that is, the plants are grown like 

 miniature trees, and trimmed so that at five years old they resemble a pole 

 about six feet high with a bush on top, and diameter of the butt from one and 

 one-half to two inches. The small trees are then hacked half off near the 

 ground and bent over in the direction of the row, every fifth tree being left 

 to hold them in place, and cut off even with the top of the hedge. The sprouts 

 from the hacked stumps, and leaning trees grow in together, making an im- 

 penetrable barrier. 



This is about the only style of hedge that is found to be really a success, 

 and cattle and pig proof. 



If this hedge is planted on the road, or -where stock runs, it will need to be 

 protected by a fence till fully grown. We must also remember that Osage orange 

 is not proof against our cold winters oyer a large portion of the state. 



A five board fence will cost about as follows through all the southern or 

 central parts of the State : 



For one rod, two oak or cedar posts $0 25 



5 boards 1x6x1 G^=42 feet, @ $10 per thousand _ 42 



Nails - - 3 



Making cost of material _ $0 70 



Building, 15 cents per rod 15 



Total cost, per rod $0 85 



Or 35 cents more than the hedge, for a good board fence. 



The fence will last fifteen years on ordinary soil. The hedge will require 

 trimming once or twice a year. The cost of the care of the hedge, even if we 

 consider it a permanent fixture, will, for the time the fence lasts, rebuild the 

 fence. 



