TO SECURE DURABILITY. 231 



The scarcity of the locust in this latitude, and the constantly 

 increasing demand for building and other purposes, far exceeds 

 the supply, and the consequent high price prevents its use to 

 any great extent for common fence posts. Various expedients 

 have been resorted to, to prevent the decay of wood, when 

 exposed to the weather or buried in the ground. As yet, we 

 believe, nothing has been discovered which renders it com- 

 pletely impervious to the action of the elements. The process 

 of kyanizing is practised to a considerable extent for the preser- 

 vation of railway sleepers, and we believe is found to well repay 

 the expense. Experiments also prove that the ends of posts 

 and stakes dipped in hot coal tar and then covered with coarse 

 sand, are rendered quite indestructible for a long time. This 

 very cheap and simple operation we have practically tested, 

 with the very best results. And we would here state that a 

 post or* stake, inserted in the ground with the top or little end 

 down, will last nearly twice as long as when the big or but end 

 is put in the ground. Wood dipped in crude petroleum, or 

 allowed to remain in it a few hours, is said to become exceed- 

 ingly durable. Where there is a lack of fencing material, 

 hedges may be planted, and, if properly cared for, can in a few 

 years, be made to answer all the purposes of a fence. There 

 are but a few shrubs, however, which are well calculated to 

 make a close and impenetrable fence. For farm purposes, the 

 Osage orange and the buckthorn are without doubt the best, 

 although the former is not well adapted to the climate of New 

 England. The buckthorn may be grown from the 'seed or 

 plants, and with proper care, little or no difficulty will be found 

 in making them live. A hedge, to be of practical use, must be 

 thick at the bottom and therefore should be closely cut back, 

 while young ; and often pruned, in order to force out lateral 

 shoots near the ground. When it has attained the desired 

 shape and size, it will require an annual pruning, the best time 

 for which is in July or August. When a hedge is grown for 

 protection or for ornamental purposes, which is more frequently 

 the case in New England, we prefer some of the evergreens, 

 such as the American arba vitas, Norway spruce, or hemlock. 

 They are rapid growers, perfectly hardy, easily pruned, and 

 form a delightful contrast with those deciduous shrubs or trees, 

 which are robbed of their foliage seven months of the year. 



