HEDGES. A PREMIUM OFFERED 



of seed, whicli we planted some years ago, but seventy-five plants were procured, 

 though a variety of situations, in doors, and in frames, and out, were tried. These 

 few came up in a Black Hamburg Grape vine border, in rows under the drip of the 

 glass, giving a hint as to their wants. These plants were formed into a short hedge, 

 which already gives evidence of its value and beauty, and will undoubtedly be a 

 protective defence. The English Holly, most probably, would be hardy in a hedge. 

 However that may prove, the HorticuUurht hereby oifers a premium of Fifty Dollars 

 for the first perfect Holly hedge of the American variety, not less than one hundred 

 feet in length, and four in height, that shall be exhibited ; the plants to be raised 

 from seeds of this year's growth. 



Trimming. — All the hedges we have named above should be trimmed twice 

 every year to produce the finest results, viz : in June and the middle of August ; with 

 the exception of the Osage Orange, which may be left till the middle of Septem- 

 ber. The last trimming is not only beneficial to their future growth, but it greatly 

 improves their appearance, as they are not likely to push after that period ; if not 

 cut at this season they are loose, and have an unsightly appearance through the fall 

 months. The trimmer before he uses his garden shears sets, with a crowbar, two 

 poles, one at each end of the hedge, so that the tops are a little above the top of the 

 plants ; he then stretches a line from pole to pole as near the centre as possible, and 

 settles it to a level. This gives the centre of the hedge, and is a good guide. The 

 sides are then cut without other guide than the eye ; the best form is that imitating 

 the shape of a sharp gothic window. A hedge of this form ought never to be wider 

 at the bottom than thirty-three inches to three feet j the pointed top will prevent 

 snow from lodging. A pair of large hedge shears is usually employed by the 

 trimmer, but a practiced hand will do it equally well and more rapidly with a liooh 

 made like a sickle, but with a sharp edge. We employ it advantageously to trim 

 the Juniper into a cone after it is tied up. By a little practice an apparently large 

 job is soon finished. 



Hedges are important both as useful and ornamental objects; in the latter depart- 

 ment they are too much neglected, as well before as after planting. We shall be 

 contented if we have stimulated a few of those who have seen them in perfection to 

 go and do likewise-ly. 



For garden hedges there are many plants that suggest themselves for use. The 

 Honeysuckles, particularly the Chinese evergreen, may be thus trained to great 

 elegance ; the Evergreen Euonymus, or Strawberry tree, the Tree Box, the Althea 

 frutex, Syringa and Lilac, the Snowball, and the Deutzia scabra, the Yucca, 

 especially at the South, Savin, the Phillyreas, with various others, may be adopted 

 on a small scale to great advantage. The Pyracantha, with its beautiful berries, 

 should also not be forgotten, and the small golden Willow makes a neat little hedge, 

 looking remarkably well even when the foliage is gone. 



In some of the foregoing remarks we have been obliged to difi'er from previous 

 writers, but as our object is solely to elicit the truth, we shall be glad to have the 

 results of experience from well informed correspondents in the varied climates 

 penetrated by our pages 



