124 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



HEDGES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



BY WM. REID, NURSERYMAN, ELIZABETQTOWN, N. J. 



A WELL-CULTIVATED hedge is one of the greatest ornaments 

 to a country residence. It gives a polish and neatness which 

 adds to the appearance of well-kept grounds' more than all 

 the fancy ornamental fences of wood that can be put up, al- 

 though ever so expensive. Yet we see but a very limited num- 

 ber of good ones, although there is nothing easier to have, if 

 a little care is taken with them for two or three years, when 

 first planted. But we often find hedges planted, and nothing 

 more done to them. Without cutting them and getting them 

 into a proper shape, at first, it is useless to think of having 

 good hedges. A model of a good hedge ought to be cut in 

 the form of a wedge, or a sharp Gothic arch, with the lower 

 branches resting on the ground, straight, and of a uniform 

 height, with the branches all close and compact, four to five 

 feet high. When this is attained there will be no trouble in 

 keeping it so, for any length of time, by cutting it once or 

 twice in the course of the season. But where hedges are 

 planted extensively for farm fences, one cutting in the season 

 would answer, after getting them into proper shape, which 

 could be (lone in the winter months. 



This form of cutting will be found to be much better than 

 square or flat tops, which are liable to be broken down by 

 heavy snows lodging on them. They are also more liable 

 to become naked at the bottom. 



The next thing to be taken into consideration is the best 

 and most suitable plants for that purpose. We have a great 

 variety of plants that would make hedges. But I will notice 

 first, those that are likely to be most valuable, viz : — Osage 

 Orange, Honey Locust, (or Gleditschia triacanthos,) and 

 Buckthorn. 



Osage Orange. — This is now being extensively planted in 

 the Western States, and I can see nothing to prevent it from 

 making a good fence, where the winters are not too severe. 

 It will stand a temperature of 10*^ below zero, and perhaps 



