i 2T8 THE NURSERY. [MARCH 



pulpy substance something similar to the orange. It is easily propa- 

 gated by seed, layers or cuttings, and is now becoming very valuable 

 for hedging, as it is of much more rapid growth than the thorns, and 

 is quite as impenetrable; it is not affected by the drought in sum- 

 mer, and is every way preferable for hedges : they should be planted 

 eighteen inches asunder, or planted as a standard or ornamental tree ; 

 it will attain a large size in a short time, and the branches may be 

 trained to form a very pretty summer-house. Mr. Duke, of this city, 

 has at his garden (formerly M'Mahon's), a tree under which thirty 

 persons have dined. By recent discoveries in France it has been 

 ascertained that the leaves are equally as good, if not preferable, for 

 feeding the silk-worm ; and the silk is considered equal in quantity 

 and stronger than that raised on the mulberry. 



ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS ON HEDGES. 



It is not very eligible to mix two or more kinds of plants in any 

 hedge, for they seldom grow equally, and the more vigorous sort will 

 destroy the other; nor is it proper, for the same reason, to plant 

 trees intended for timber among either. 



Should you have a variety of the preceding kinds in forwardness 

 for planting, it would be proper to observe, in the surrounding 

 country, what soil and situation each kind thrives best when growing 

 in a wild and uncultivated state, which will enable you to give to 

 every one its favorite. This will be found of importance, and worthy 

 of being attended to. 



The European white thorn does not thrive well in a dry gravel or 

 sand, nor in a cold spuey clay; a good strong loam is its favorite. 



When young hedge plants of any kind become stunted and hide- 

 bound in consequence of the poverty of the ground, &c., it will be 

 proper to head them down to within two inches of the ground, either 

 in the months of October or March, cutting them off clean and 

 smooth ; observing, however, that this is not to be done to one here 

 and there, but to the whole row out of the face, as far as they are in 

 that condition. The summer following they will produce vigorous 

 and prosperous shoots. 



When you have crab hedges, which certainly forms very good and 

 durable ones, you may encourage one vigorous straight shooting plant, 

 at every fifty feet distance, by pruning and cleaning up their sfems 

 till out of the reach of cattle, retarding the ascending growth of the 

 others by annual topping, then they may be grafted with any good 

 kinds of cider apples, and in a few years will produce fruit in abund- 

 ance. 



Hedges raised from the pippins of apples may be treated in the 

 same way; but you may suffer some to stand ungrafted, for many 

 will yield very good cider fruit, and perhaps some may produce new 

 and superior kinds. You will be able to judge by leaf, shoot, and 

 bud, which are most likely to produce the best fruit, and which not, 

 and manage them accordingly. 



We have various other plants that might answer for live hedges, 

 which due observation, and a little experience will point out ; but 5 



