CHAPTER I. 



LIVE FENCES. 



I shall discuss in this chapter the subject of 

 live fences ; not because of its general importance, but 

 because of its supreme importance where it is needed 

 at all. The introduction of wire as a material for 

 fencing has become so common, and its adaptation 

 to long ranges is so perfect, while the material is 

 cheap and the fence quickly built, that it has largely 

 displaced the use or need of live fences. The list 

 of plants serviceable for a fence has not greatly 

 changed during fifty years. The Osage orange 

 stands at the head of the list for many sections. It 

 is hardy, robust and capable of turning cattle. The 

 hawthorn is less robust, and is subject to attacks of 

 the woolly aphis. It is also less hardy, while very 

 liable to lose its foliage early in the summer, like most 

 of the thorns, from a fungous foe. The buckthorn 

 is decidedly preferable to the hawthorn for general 

 planting. It is free from blight and mildews, and 

 I have never known it to be attacked by any other 

 insect than the hop louse. This aphis, after several 

 generations on plum trees and buckthorn hedges, 

 migrates to the hop field. The damage done to the 

 buckthorn is not serious, but is defacing. The 

 leaves are curled and young growth is checked. 

 The wild or native crab apple makes a stout defense, 

 and it is also capable of being made ornamental. 



I 



