1846.] Fencing. 287 



arise than those which spring from necessity. The important 

 question in fencing is to meet certain conditions. A lence of 

 some kind must be had, and a farmer's duty is to decide what is 

 best for each particular case. Where timber or stone is scarce, 

 a ditch with a low board fence might answer and serve until a 

 hedge of poplar and thorn intermixed has grown. The poplar 

 grows rapidly, and so does the button-wood. The truth is, that 

 many of our common trees, if properly headed down, wall make 

 quite a respectable hedge or foundation of a barrier. Hence 

 shrubs or trees of a rapid growth, especially those which are 

 hardy, and bear bending and cutting, may be selected for that 

 purpose. 



It may not be uninteresting in this connection to give the 

 names and properties of the different trees and shrubs which have 

 been employed for hedges. Those which have taken the highest 

 rank are the thorns, of which there are a number of species. The 

 genus of plants to which these belong, is the cratsegus, a name 

 derived from the Greek kratos, strength. The advantages which 

 the thorns possess are these; they are long-lived, may be raised 

 easily from seed or by grafting or budding, and may be cultivat- 

 ed on any soil which has a tolerable depth; they are hardy and 

 grow with considerable vigor, and may be trained in any way to 

 suit the designs and wants of the cultivator. They are all shrubs 

 or low trees, and if left to themselves have symmetrical, spread- 

 ing branches, a neat small trunk, and comparative!}' a wide-spread 

 flat head; making a fine, close shade. The beauty of the cateegus 

 when in flower or fruit, is worthy of attention. The foliage is 

 always fine. The wood is very hard and compact. 



The most common thorn is the Cratagus crus-galli, a low but 

 beautiful tree when left to grow by itself. It attains the height 

 of twenty feet in woods and favorable open grounds; though in 

 the latter situation it is more depressed and spreading, and forms 

 by itself a more picturesque object. It is found from Canada to 

 Florida. It is well known that its branches are formidable from 

 the abundance of sharp, stiflf" spines, which stand out from its 

 branches, and which seem to say, " hands off"." The leaves are 

 of a deep green, somewhat glossy above, but dull beneath. It 



