CHAPTER II. 



DECIDUOUS HEDGES. 



The satisfaction with which we dismiss live 

 fences is more than doubled by the gratification 

 derived from the study of hedges; whether those 

 strictly for ornament or those for utility as well as 

 ornament. It is a confirmation of the belief that 

 horticultural taste is developing in America, that 

 hedges are growing in popularity. In all parts of 

 the country the demand for plants is increasing ; and 

 this book will find its more specific use in giving all 

 required information on the planting, growth and 

 management of this department of horticulture. I 

 shall be compelled in this chapter to refer to some 

 material developed in the previous chapter; because 

 the thorns, the Osage orange and the honey locust 

 may be used for beautiful as well as discordant pur- 

 poses and so need not be discarded from our beau- 

 tiful plantations. 



SECTION I MATERIAL. 



There is no mistaking the conviction of farmers 

 that where a hedge is needed the gleditschia or honey 

 locust hedge is more satisfactory than the maclura 

 or Osage orange. I find very few hedges of the 

 latter in even tolerable condition, but many of the 

 former. The gleditschia should not be allowed to 



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