AVHAT MAKES THE BEST FARM HEDGE. 



the next day the earth had got too dry, for it fell off. We then waited for a soaking rain, 

 and the day after finished the remainder. 



I think no one could have told from their appearance that they had so recently been dis- 

 turbed. They were shortened-in, not more so, however, than every fruit tree in my gar- 

 den. I think it more than likely, that there may be nothing nev/ in the above manner of 

 removing trees, but to myself it was very novel and interesting. 



I have growing on mj^ premises thirty-six cherry trees, from four to seven years from 

 the bud. I have never allowed any side branches to be removed, (merely shortened-in 

 every June) — two of the above trees did not develop branches any lower than five feet 

 from the ground. On all the others are limbs from one foot to eighteen inches high. The 

 two trees with no shoots lower than five feet, ooze gum — and none of the others. 



Now, is this accidental, or is it from the fact that the bodies of the other trees are more 

 perfectly shaded from the sun.' It is best not to be too certain in such cases, for facts are 

 stubborn things, and future years might upset any theorj^ 



I thank you sincerely for the elucidation of the mystery why the AYistaria sinensis 

 would not grow with me. In the spring I will take j^our advice, and procure thrifty plants 

 if possible. M. 



Oneida County. Dec. 21, 1S50. 



WHAT MAKES THE BEST FARM HEDGE. 



BY. A. D., NEW- YORK. 



Dear Sir — The subject of live hedges is an interesting one to the farmer in some parts 

 of the country, especially in sections where both stone and timber are comparatively 

 scarce. It seems to be pretty generally conceded now, that the English Hawthorn, with 

 which the farms are almost entirely fenced in Great Britain, is not adapted to this climate, so 

 that we must look around for a substitute. In Delaware, I have observed that a native thorn 

 called the New Castle, has been considerably emploj^ed for hedges. It makes a good and 

 substantial fence, but I noticed on a recent visit to that state, that the use of it did not 

 spread much among the farmers. On inquiring the reason, I was told that the plant was 

 very liable to injurj^ by the borer and an insect, and on the Miiole had not given satisfac- 

 tion as a farm fence. 



I have seen a hedge of the Osage Orange upon the boundary of a garden near Philadel- 

 phia. It is five feet high, well clipped, and presents a very handsome appearance when 

 covered with its rich glossy leaves. Being very thorny, it makes a thorough barrier 

 against man or beast. I see by the papers that this i^lant has come into use for farming 

 purposes in Illinois — especially in some parts of the prairies, and that Professor Turner, 

 of Jacksonville, has planted several miles of it. From my conversation with my friend 

 at Philadeldhia, I am led to think that it requires too much and too constant clipping — 

 say twice or thrice a season, to suit the farmers generally in this country; though for gar- 

 dens it is not easily surpassed. 



I should be glad to hear your experience, and that of some of your readers who have 

 planted hedges extensively, as to what will make the hardiest and best farm hedge, taking 

 into account easy cultivation, durability, and adaptation to a variety of soil and climate. 



I saw not long ago, a line of hedge which was made by planting the seeds of the Sibe 

 rian Crab — a small ornamental variety of the apple, which is well known in the nurse 

 and sought after for the beauty of its little fruit. The tree, naturally, is a small 



