THE MAGAZINE 



HORTICULTURE. 



FEBRUARY, 1838. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. On the Cultivation of Hedges in the United States. 

 By A. J. Downing, Botanic Garden and Nurseries, New- 

 burgh, N. Y. 



The repeated inquiries made of us, in relation to live fences, 

 induce us to make them the subject of a few remarks in this 

 Magazine. In many sections of the Union, where timber is be- 

 coming scarce, and stone for fencing does not abound, a substi- 

 tute is anxiously sought after, and must be found in some species 

 of plant, capable of making a close and impenetrable hedge. 

 The advantages of live fences are, great durability, impervious- 

 ness to man and beast, a trifling expense in keeping in order, and 

 the great beauty and elegance of their appearance. Harmonizing 

 in color with the pleasant green of the lawn and fields, they may, 

 without (like board fences) being offensive to the eye, be brought, 

 in many places, quite near to the dwelling-house. The delight- 

 ful verdure, and, when in blossom, the exquisite perfume of the 

 hedges in England, have been celebrated by many of the poets: 



How rich the gale ! 



Far off I scent the hawthorn's bloom." 



J\Iay is the beautiful appellation familiarly bestowed on the 

 hawthorn in many parts of England; and the snowy whiteness of 

 its flowers, deep green of its verdure, and brilliant crimson of its 

 berries, unite in making the hedges composed of it among the 

 finest objects in that highly cultivated country. 



Tile Ent!;lish hawthorn is, however, unsuited to the United 

 States. We make this remark, afier witnessing nunierous trials 

 in its cultivation in various parts of the country. We say unsuit- 

 ed, because, although a hedge, and, with great care, a good hedge, 



VOL. IV. NO. II. 6 



