2 < HEDGES,. WINDBREAKS, SHELTERS., ETC. 



>>\H"1;' v l!iL.* d ; , j 



Its form can never be made regular, which is often 

 an advantage. Fences of seedling apples have been 

 occasionally tried, and have proved to be more or 

 less useful in turning animals. Their chief value, 

 however, is as windbreaks. 



Such hedges if exposed to animals will be 

 pruned by them, and to some extent broken. Their 

 irregularity and unmanageableness soon makes them 

 occupy too much space for a fence. I have also 

 found that the individuality of apple growth is so 

 marked that no two trees can be relied upon to grow 

 with equal vigor or similar habits. One will rise 

 almost as direct as a Normandy poplar and the next 

 sprawl out or show a propensity for weeping. There 

 are special advantages about the three-thorned 

 Gleditschia or honey locust. It certainly makes a 

 formidable fence, and, if well trimmed, is the most 

 beautiful of our live fences. It is impenetrable to 

 man or beast. I have, however, found one trouble 

 that is fatal to this fence, except when used on a 

 small scale; it is very likely to be girdled by mice 

 during the winter months. Where there is a short 

 strip, the rodents can be stopped from their work by 

 the use of coal ashes freely piled along the roots. 

 Willow for fencing has not proved of any permanent 

 value. Where such fences have been planted they 

 have in some cases, however, developed into very 

 good windbreaks. We may therefore pass by all 

 material for live fences except the Osage orange, the 

 honey locust and buckthorn. These three require 

 more thorough examination and discussion. 



Osage orange (Madura aurantiaca) is a native 

 of Arkansas and other southwestern states, where 



