76 



Artificial Divisions of the Farm. 



Vol. IV. 



out, however, answering- fully the expectation 

 of its advocates. Wuod tar has been reconi- 

 niended as a preservative of timber. A corres- 

 pondent of the Farmers' (Va.) Register, cites 

 several very interesting cases, which g'o to 

 prove that posts cut, and put in the ground 

 green, will remain perfectly sound many 

 years after well seasoned posts, in the same 

 line of fence, in the same soil, and put in at 

 the same time, have entirely decayed. We 

 need, however, further experiments on all 

 these points. 



[We omit the account given by our correspondent of 

 tlie manner of constructing stone fences, that suhject 

 having been noticed at length in the second and third 

 volumes of the Farmers' Cabinet. We agree with the 

 writer as to the great value of this kind of fence, and 

 recommend it in preference to any other, wherever 

 the materials for its construction abound, or may be 

 rcarlily obtained. But whoever builds a stone fence- 

 to derive benefit from it— must have it built well and 

 substantial — the foundation sunk below the reach of 

 frost, and the whole well and compactly laid togrther 

 — well capped with good stone pillars at the several 

 openings for bars or gates ; the latter we recommend.] 



LIVE FENCES OR HEDGES. 



For many years past, great efforts have 

 been made to introduce live hedges or fences, 

 in place of those of timber and stone. Par- 

 tial success, has in some instances, for a 

 w^hile, flattered the hopes of the persevering 

 experimenter — but in general, the efforts have 

 resulted in failure. The introduction of the 

 English Thorn, has long been a favorite ob- 

 ject with many gentlemen,* and we cannot 

 conceive why, with proper management, it 

 would not attain the same degree of perfec- 

 tion and usefulness in the southern states as 

 ia England. It is not adapted to our upland 

 regions. In the choice of plants for a hedge, 

 the influence of soil and climate should be 

 particularly considered, as upon these, and 

 riglit management, more than any thing else, 

 Vv'ill depend the .success or failure. We 

 sliould, therefore, rely more upon native than 

 foreign plants. 



That we have a variety of plants, in almo.st 

 every section of our country, well adapted to 

 all the purposes of hedging, no doubt can be 

 entertained. Years ago, — when a few indi- 

 viduals, bursting the shackles of prejudice, — 

 set themselves earnestly to work, to improve 

 and advance the agriculture of the country 

 generally — this was one of tiie first subjects 

 tint claimed their attention. Numerous ex- 

 periments were made in Pennsylvania, Dola- 



* Mr. Garnett is still opposed, as he ever has been, 

 to the introduction of live hedires. His zeal in the 

 lause of asricultnre has increa-seil with years. His 

 tlibrts indicate all the vigor of youth. 



ware, Alaryland, and more especially in Vir- 

 ginia. Fences of native, as well as of foreign 

 plants, were set out — and so far as I have 

 been able to gain information, the advantage, 

 as regards durability and use, was in favor of 

 the native plant, portions of which are now 

 standing. 



The question which will naturally arise in 

 the mind of the reader, taking the statement 

 to be correct, will be, " why is it that these 

 fences do not abound over the wiiole country 

 — I never saw one!" The answer is simple 

 — it is to be found in the character and spirit 

 of our countrymen. Almost every thing of 

 importance that has been accomplished in this 

 great country, has been on the " high-pressure 

 principle." The early advocates of agricul- 

 tural improvement, among whom we find a 

 Washington, a Jefferson, a Peters, a Liv- 

 ingston, a Pickering, a Lincoln, a Taylor, 

 a Garnett, a Cooper, a Bordley, a Lor- 

 RAiN, a Worth, and many other illustrious 

 men, were not sustained by tlie great mass of 

 the people — for whose benefit, and not their 

 own — they labored. In this case, those farm- 

 ers we presume, who were induced, or per- 

 haps, 'persuaded by its friends to turn their 

 attention to this subject, did not expect too 

 great, but too immediate results. This is 

 the rock on which thousands fail. Lacking 

 persevering patience, they become lukewarm 

 in an enterprise — lose their interest, after 

 which total neglect, if not absolute disgust, 

 ensue.s. 



Among the variety o? native plants, the Red 

 Cedar was the most conspicuous, as it was 

 probably the most valuable. The late Col. 

 John Taylor, of Caroline, Virginia, recom- 

 mended it as answering every desirable pur- 

 pose. With proper care and attention, a 

 hedge of great beauty, strength and durabil- 

 ity, may be formed of the cedar in about seven 

 years from the period of planting. 



" For the purpose of raising a nursery of 

 cedar plants, let the berries be gathered in 

 November and December, and havmg detach- 

 ed the resinous substance in which the seeds 

 are enveloped, as far as practicable, which 

 may be done by rubbing — mix them with 

 unslacked ashes, in which let them remain 

 two weeks — then plant them in drills after 

 the manner of plantuig peas, and if good, they 

 will vegetate and come up the following 

 spring. With good nursing, they will be fit 

 for removal into a hedge in two years. The 

 trenches in which they are to be placed, 

 should be prepared with light, ricli earth. 

 The first of March is the proper time for 

 planting them. When the plants have at- 

 tained the lieiglit of three feet, the trimming 

 should commence ; the best time for which is, 

 the middle of summer. The more thoroughly 

 the seeds are cleansed, and the earlier tlie 



