THE ORCHARD. 181 



retarded their introduction. Experience, however, has at 

 length pretty fairly decided that the Osage Orange is the 

 best for the West and South-west, and the Buckthorn for 

 the North and East. The seeds of both these plants are 

 now easily procured, and plants of them may be obtained 

 in nurseries from $3 to $5 per 1,000 ; and about 2,000 will 

 fence an acre of ground, setting the plants twelve inches 

 apart, in two rows, six inches apart, which is the strong- 

 est way. A single row, with the plants at six inches 

 apart, will make a good fence, with proper shearing to 

 thicken them at the bottom ; either way they will make 

 a beautiful and efficient hedge in five or six years. The 

 Honey-Locust is also a strong, hardy, rapid-growing plant, 

 and makes a very beautiful and efficient hedge, which, in 

 six or seven years from the planting, will turn any ani- 

 mals. We are using this on our own grounds in prefer- 

 ence to all others. 



For an ornamental hedge, and screen or shelter, there 

 is nothing equal at the North to the Norway Spruce and 

 Arbor Vitce. It is sometimes objected to hedges that 

 they harbor birds ; but it is to be remembered that birds 

 are the natural foes of insects, and never fail to accom- 

 plish a vast amount of labor for the good of the fruit 

 grower, for which they ought to be fully entitled to a 

 participation in his enjoyments. As the feathered race 

 are persecuted and driven away from our gardens, insects 

 become more numerous and destructive ; at least this is 

 the experience of most people, and should lessen, if not 

 entirely prevent, the cruel hostility that is continually 

 waged against them. It must, however, be admitted that 

 occasionally certain species will attack our fruits in such 

 force that their destruction becomes not only justifiable, 

 but necessary. Even the Robin becomes troublesome at 

 times. 



5th. Selection of Varieties of Fruits for an Orchard. 

 This is a most important point. The selection of varie- 



