288 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



Derby, of Massachusetts, and by him was considerably dis- 

 seminated through the United States. It has proved a hardy, 

 thrifty plant, entirely suited to the purpose. The foregoing 

 figure shows the thorn hedge, which is impervious to any 

 intruder when properly trained. The Osage orange grows 

 spontaneously in the southwestern States, and is successfully 

 cultivated in most of the eastern and portions of the north- 

 ern. Its rapid growth and numerous, thick, tough branches 

 and thorns, render it an effectual protection to fields. 



The Cherokee rose, for the southern States, is by many 

 deemed the most economical and efficient. It grows with 

 great rapidity, some of the runners reaching forty feet or 

 more, and it is hardy and enduring ; but it occupies much room 

 and is frequently troublesome about the fields from its super- 

 abundant growth. The wild peach, which abounds in many 

 of the southern forests, furnishes one of the most beautiful 

 hedges when tastefully managed, as I have seen it in Mis- 

 sissippi. I have fenced Avith the native thorn of western 

 New York, with entire success. The Michigan rose and 

 the sweet briar, both hardy and of luxuriant growth, and 

 some other species of the native rose, have been tried and 

 proved efficient. The crab apple and wild plum, with 

 their thick, tough branches and formidable thorns (especially 

 the latter), with proper training, will be found a perfect stop- 

 page against animals of all kinds. The yellow locust and 

 acacia have been sometimes used ; and the wild laurel, an 

 evergreen of great beauty at all times, and especially so with 

 its magnificent blossoms, would form a beautiful hedge 

 wherever the soil will give it luxuriant growth. There are 

 a variety of other trees and shrubs of native growth, which 

 may be employed for hedges ; but it is unnecessary to spe- 

 cify them, as each can best select for himself such as are 

 suited to his own peculiar soil and circumstances. 



SHADE TREES. 



In such situations and numbers as may be required around 

 the farm premises, these are both ornamental and profitable. 

 They have, too, a social and moral influence, far beyond the 

 mere gratification of 'the eye or the consideration of dollars 

 and cents. In their freshness and simplicity, they impress 

 th young mind with sentiments of purity and loveliness as 

 enduring as life.. From the cradle of infancy, consciousness 

 first dawns upon the beauty of nature beneath their grateful 

 shade ; the more boisterous sports of childhood seek their 



