HEDGES, FORMATION OF. 245 



HELIANTHUS. 



seed. Two rows of plants were set, the 

 rows i foot apart and the plants I foot 

 apart in the rows, and set alternately to 

 break joints. This hedge has been clipped 

 a little two or three times to keep it even, 

 and is now 6 or 7 feet high, with a firm, 

 compact base, perfectly impervious to the 

 smaller animals, and stout enough to turn 

 ordinary farm stock. An important item, 

 as regards this plant, is its habit of sending 

 up suckers from the bottom, by which, in 

 a few years, it comes to have abase 6 to 12 

 inches in diameter." 



Conifers. There is no doubt that many 

 conifers would make excellent hedges, all 

 that is required being that they should be 

 supplies at a suitable price. At present 

 they are a great deal too dear to be used 

 for such purposes, except, perhaps, on a 

 very small scale. But as most, even of the 

 choicest varieties, grow very freely from 

 cuttings as well as from seed, there is no 

 question that a great reduction could and 

 would be made if the demand were such as 

 to warrant a more extensive culture. We 

 know that the common Scotch fir is used, 

 with very good effect, both as a fence and 

 shelter along many of our lines of railroad. 

 When headed down this fir throws out 

 strong laterals, which, interlacing each 

 other, make a very substantial and lasting 

 hedge. The young plants should be set 

 closely, and as they grow up, any weak 

 places can easily be stopped by rails cross- 

 ing the stems. Like all other hedges, 

 these require occasional training and atten- 

 tion. 



Hedges, Formation of. 



In forming any hedge, it is of course 

 necessary to take into consideration the 

 aspect, the quality of the soil, and all other 

 particulars that conduce to the healthy 

 state of vegetable life. The skill of the 

 gardener is hardly anywhere more discern- 

 ible than in the exercise of that statesman- 



like quality which consists of putting the 

 right thing in the right place. All plants 

 will not suit all climates, all situations, and 

 all soils. It is wise, therefore, to consider 

 that though there are many ornamental 

 plants and shrubs -that will make good 

 hedges, it is not all of these that may choose 

 to flourish where we wish our hedge to 

 grow. As a general rule, the knife may be 

 used unsparingly in all things suitable for 

 hedges, and the hedge itself will be greatly 

 improved by its use. All hedges, but 

 especially those that bear the shears or 

 clippers, should be cut upwards to a 

 narrow ridge, for, by this means, the lower 

 part not being overshadowed by the upper, 

 will be kept thick, and the hedge will last 

 sound much longer. After they have been 

 planted several years, hedges of most 

 materials will require to be cut down, the 

 soil renovated, and, perhaps, new plants 

 introduced. This necessity, however, is 

 very generally the result of neglect in early 

 years, for where proper care has been 

 bestowed and annual pruning given, hedges 

 will last as long as brick walls. 



Helian'tilUS (nat. ord. Compos'itse). 



A genus of hardy annual and perennial 

 popularly known as Sunflowers, remarkable 

 for their Stately growth and the brilliancy 

 and size of their noble flowers ; they are 

 eminently adapted for dispersing in shrub- 

 bery borders. Round the margins of lakes, 

 ponds, and wherever plants of this charac- 

 ter are required, this genus will be found 

 extremely effective. The common sun- 

 flower (Helianthus annuus) is an annual, 

 but of this there are many varieties, pos- 

 sessed of great floral beauty. Pre-eminent 

 among these are H. a. globosus fistulosui 

 and H. a. Californicus plenissimus. These 

 are particularly adapted for mixed flower- 

 borders and large beds in conspicuous 

 situations. They grow freely in any rich 

 soil. 



