WINTER MEETING, 1879. 35 



planting of butternut trees sixteen feet apart, which shall answer for fence 

 posts, and then use barbed wire and staples. I am satisGed that this will prove 

 a valuable substitute for hedge fences. 



President Lyon. — I agree with Mr. Gulley generally pretty well that the 

 facts prove that hedge fences on farms are not a success, but I attribute the 

 want of success to the men ratlier than the fence material. If hedije fences 

 are properly grown and cared for they will be a practicable improvement be- 

 cause they are economical and answer a good purpose. We are by no means 

 confined to the osage orange in our selection of a plant for hedge purposes. It 

 is a plant indigenous a good distance south of here, and we must not expect 

 much of it in our latitude, subject as we are to severe winters. The honey 

 locust is a native of our State, and I believe has the principal qualities of a 

 good hedge plant. We are trying it at our place, and have a line of hedge 

 which I think would satisfy any of you in its perfection. We have placed it as 

 a shield between the nursery and the lake, and although young, the bottom of 

 it is close enough to forbid the entrance of very small animals. 



Mr. Johnstone, Detroit. — We do not succeed with hedges because we are not 

 practical hedgers. It is all nonsense for a man to purchase a few thousand 

 plants of most anything recommended by a tree agent and set them out 

 expecting to awake some morning and find he has a hedge that will turn 

 cattle. I have been about a good deal and have found here and there 

 a successful hedge in spite of climate or locality. Why? Because the grower 

 understood his business. When the average farmer knows how to srrow a hedsre 

 as well as he knows how to grow corn, he can grow a hedge successfully, and I 

 am satisfied under proper treatment and in some situations the hedge fence is 

 economical and satisfactory. I would not condemn the use of hedging because 

 we scarcely ever find in our country a good hedge, neither would I recom- 

 mend it for all places because I am an advocate of its use. There is a middle 

 ground where I stand on this subjeet, and I do believe that here in Michigan 

 under some circumstances farmers can make hedges not only profitable, but by 

 bringing the requisite amount of experience to bear, they may be made beauti- 

 ful. Let us not take too radical ground either way. 



Mr. Guild. — I am in favor of employing evergreens for hedge fences, and 

 believe it is practicable to secure an evergreen hedge that will be a good farm 

 fence, and withal, be an ornament to the country, and not be in danger of in- 

 jury by severe winters. 



George Taylor. — Evergreens are beautiful and appropriate for hedges, but 

 when I say they will not do for farm fences, I speak from the position of ex- 

 perience. I think Mr. Johnstone and Mr. Lyon hit the nail on the head. The 

 trouble is not in the climate or the principle of having hedges, but on the men 

 and on the choice of plants. With hardy plants in proper hands, farm hedges 

 can be made profitable and thus far we have not the experience in this country 

 to successfully grow these fences. Men need to study this matter as thoroughly 

 as tree growing, or fruit growing, then we shall have a race of practical 

 hedgers who will succeed. 



Mr. Gulley. — I would like to ask Mr. Johnstone what experience has done 

 for the matter in the eastern states? Are they growing more and better 

 hedges there than fifty years ago, or are they not gradually giving up the 

 business? 



Mr. Johnstone. — I will simply say that the east are no further along than 



