The Osage Orange (^Madura ouran'iaca). — This plant has some very good 

 4ualitios fur the purpose, but it requires great attention — more, it has often been 

 found, than the gcnomlity of busy farmers can afford to j^ive to it j if neglected, it 

 runs ^Yild, loses its lower branches, which at the best must be interlaced after the 

 first cuttings, or they will admit the smaller animals. Another disadvantage is that 

 it is "a greedy feeder," extends its roots far and wide, and exhausts the crop of its 

 proper food to some distance in the field ; the roots are also of an extraordinary size, 

 frequently as large and thick as the wood above ground. It is, however, hardy, and 

 if it loses the tips of the young shoots in a severe winter, it soon fills up with proper 

 cutting. This plant is seldom liable to the complaint of sending up suckers. Where 

 there is a determination to have it as a hedge, and to give it the proper yearlij 

 attention, it may do very well ; but it is open to some objections, and it is late in 

 coming forward in the spring and early in shedding its leaves. Our own opinion is, 

 that in a vast portion of cases the Osage Orange, withoiit great attention, will prove 

 a disappointment; we express this with regret, for it has been extensively introduced. 

 The experience of our friends at the west may be different. 



The Buckthorn {Rhamnus Catlun-ticus) is a strong, quick-growing plant, and 

 makes a good, close hedge ; it is very hardy, and when properly cut looks extremely 

 well. Botanists agree that it is a native of America, even as far north as Massachu- 

 setts, as well as of the north of Europe and Asia. Its bark and leaf are offensive to 

 insects, and the borer, which has ruined nearly all the thorn hedges in this country, 

 will not touch it. It will grow in the shade, and in almost every description of soil. 

 It is easily grown and transplanted, of long life, has a thicket-like habit, has few 

 diseases, and bears shearing into any shape. Its berries, the pulp mashed in a box 

 with a light wooden pounder, sifted in water two or three times and then dried, are 

 ready for planting. Dig good garden soil, and give it a dressing of manure, and 

 plant them as you do peas or beans, placing the seeds two or three inches apart. 

 They should be covered about an inch and a half deep, and if the rows are three 

 feet apart the horse-cultivator may be used to keep the ground in order. One year's 

 growth in strong land, or two in inferior, will make a growth that will give you 

 plants fit for transplanting into hedge rows. Two seasons of shearing will develope 

 its thorns, and commence to reward your labors. 



The Buckthorn has been pronounced by those who have tried it, of very great 

 utility and beauty, and it certainly comes as near to our wants as any plant which 

 has yet been introduced. In the Essex (Mass.) Agricultural Society's Transactions 

 of 1842, a correspondent says : "I do not hesitate to pronounce the Buckthorn the 

 most suitable plant for hedges I have ever met with. It vegetates early in the 

 spring, and retains its verdure late in autumn. Being a native plant it is never 

 injured by the most intense cold, and its vitality is so great that the young plants 

 may be kept out of the ground, or transported to a great distance without injury. 

 It never sends up any suckers, nor is disfigured by any dead wood, needs no inter- 

 lacing, and is never cankered by iinskilful clipping." The desideratum for a good 

 defensive and, at the same time, highly ornamental hedge, would seem to be solved 

 in the Buckthorn and the Honey Locust. The seeds are collected and sold by the 



