SOLON ROBINSON, 1846 13 



By making this kind of fence with posts to each panel 

 separate, and when set, fastened together with a pin, or 

 strip nailed on, it could be moved from place to place as 

 well as 'ladder fence,' and perhaps would be as cheap, and 

 better. 



Perhaps sod fence may answer in moist ground, for a 

 season — I doubt its durability while frosts, rains, mice 

 and wolves, to say nothing of cattle and hogs, are among 

 the things that 'fret our gizzards.' 



I like the looks and cost of that picket fence pretty well. 

 I would use the posts, sills and braces that I have de- 

 scribed, and I would split my pickets, if I could — they are 

 cheaper and better. Be sure to nail on strips over the 

 pickets, so that if a picket nail breaks, the picket will still 

 be thar. 



But now, nonsense, Mr. Kennicut, what is the use of 

 you or me spending our time in pointing out the best way 

 to fence the prairies? Don't you see that they are all to 

 be hedged — and that with roses too? Col. McDonald, a 

 very worthy Alabama planter, has recommended them, 

 and sent our editors some seed. Mr. Affleck, of Missis- 

 sippi, too, it seems, has some words in favor of this plant 

 for hedging.^ If their recommendation is not enough, 

 I will give mine. I have seen many miles of Cherokee 

 rose hedge, and a better fence cannot be. No cattle or 

 hogs can penetrate one after it attains its growth. 



The manner of setting a hedge is to make a furrow, and 



* The editor remarked : "Mr. R. has probably seen before this, 

 that Mr. Affleck did not recommend the Cherokee Rose for hedge. 

 It is not singular that Col. McDonald should suppose it would stand 

 our winters, in the absence of any trial. We have heard perhaps a 

 hundred southern men recommend it as he has done; who, in answer 

 to our doubt respecting its want of hardihood were positive it would 

 answer. Mr. Affleck is the first man who has ever given us any 

 positive, reliable information on the subject. Since then, several 

 others have confirmed his testimony. The idea of acclimating south- 

 ern plants at the north is by no means an absurd one. The potato 

 is a southern plant. And though there are certain data which de- 

 termine the probabilities in a given case, t7-ial is the only sure 

 test." 



