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32 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Honey locnst seems to be hardy in this State, but having phxnted IGO rods 

 two years ago, and kept watch of some phmted three, four and five years since, 

 I doubt if it will make a stock-proof fence in the way it would ordinarily be 

 grown by farmers. 



In a discussion on the merits of the honey locust at the meeting of the Wes- 

 tern X. Y. Farmer's Club, April 4tli, 1877, it was generally condemned for 

 not turning cattle. Some eight or ten years ago there was a great furore over 

 willow hedge, a good deal was planted near where I lived. It would not turn 

 stock, and was a failure and nuisance for everything but a wind-break, being a 

 rank grower, and strong feeder, it spoils the ground for crops for two or three 

 rods on either side. The taking up of so much ground and the trouble of 

 keeping down grass and weeds must be taken into account when comparing a 

 hedge with a fence. Again, if a hedge is planted on the line between two 

 farms, each man has control of but one side, or each may take a portion of the 

 whole. In either case, there would be no use in one man's keeping his part 

 better tlian the other, and if either was negligent the whole would be a failure. 



If we use hedges for dividing up the farm into fields there is not only a pos- 

 sibility but a probability that in time a change in the fields would be desirable. 

 If we take up the hedge the work of years is lost, while if it is left it may be a 

 £rreat inconvenience. A fence could be moved. 



There is one great objection to the hedge even if it should prove hardy, 

 effectual, and ciieaper tlian the fence. To make it a success it must receive 

 careful attention for five or six years before we get a fence. A fence is fin- 

 ished at once, while a hedge may become *^an old story." Few farmers will 

 give it the necessary care. 



It is an easy matter for the agricultural editor to sit in his study and tell the 

 farmer how to grow a hedge, to set it in just sucli a way, to trim it at just sucli 

 a time ; or in farming to systematize his work, do everything in season, drain, 

 cultivate thoroughly, and carry on farming as the manufacturer does his busi- 

 ness, having everything move like clock-work, and he can't help but make 

 money. System is a beautiful delusion in the brain of him who thinks he can 

 systematize farming as he can other kinds of business. 



Those of us who have had actual experience in farming, tliat is, depended on 

 it for a living, know that system, although a good thing, can't always be lived 

 up to. It will rain frequently for days when crops ought to be in, or weeds 

 are smothering the corn or roots. Tliere will be a drouth just when one good 

 shower would save tlie crop. A late frost will nip the early crops, an early 

 frost the late ones. A hail storm in July may cut off half of the intermediate 

 crops, and the insects will fight over what little is left. A horse will get lame 

 or sick in the busiest season when we can't borrow, and have no money to buy. 



The best plans and intentions of the farmer, and the most elaborate system, 

 are ropes of sand when dame Xature gets '^ on a lark," and all ornamental work 

 and permanent improvements must stand aside that the crops may be taken 

 care of, that the family may live. 



A gentleman travelling through the west, after seeing miles and miles of 

 hedges, writes that one tliat would turn stock without being patched up with 

 rails and posts was a rare occurrence, and that not one in fifty was a perfect 

 success, and largely from neglect. We must base our calculations not on what 

 we can do, or might do, but upon what we probably will do. 



Another objection to the hedge or any tight fence by the side of tlie road is 

 that ic makes tlie road almost impassable in the winter on account of snow 



