33 



exposed to strong currents and receive the full force of the sweep- 

 ing blast. Both the pine and tlic common red cedar, hardy as 

 they are esteemed, frequently suffer, exhibiting in spring a blight- 

 ed appearance, though occupying their natural position. Trans- 

 planted trees are more likely to suffer in this way, because gene- 

 rally more exposed. The arbor vitse, though taken from a more 

 northern latitude, is, when standing alone, unprotected by other 

 trees, peculiarly subject to injury among us, from the blighting 

 winds referred to. Many were lost last winter or in early spring. 

 In a compact hedge they are less subject to injury from the above 

 mentioned cause, though for some reason not fully explained, a 

 peculiar blight, last winter, fell partially on hedges — confined in 

 some instances to a single plant, in others extending to several in 

 succession. Some of these plants afterwards recovered, while 

 others, though seemingly possessing life at the root, lost all ap- 

 pearance of vitality above the surface of the ground, thus pro- 

 ducing ugly gaps. The only remedy seemed to be to remove the 

 blighted plants and substitute others. In two or three years, it is 

 supposed, the beauty and uniformity of the hedge may be thus 

 restored. This peculiar bhght, however, is rare ; we have no 

 account of its previous occurrence, and the experience of last win- 

 ter even, does not destroy our general confidence in the value of 

 the arbor vitae as a material for hedges. 



The arbor vitre hedge, entered for premium this year, belongs 

 to Horatio Chickering, Esq., on East Street, Dedham, and has 

 from the first been under the care of Mr. Robert Watt, who, at 

 the recommendation of the Committee, last year received the 

 diploma of the Society for his peculiar skill and taste in the ar- 

 rangement of hedges. It consists of two parts, one of 757 feet, 

 planted by Mr. Watt in 1851, four years ago last spring ; the 

 other of G72 feet, planted in 1853, two years ago ; in all 1429 ft. 

 The plants were brought directly from the woods of Maine, and 

 were set in the hedge without having had the benefit of nursery 

 planting. The result has proved entirely satisfactory. Few, if 

 any, plants have been lost, though for the space of a rod, or per- 

 haps half a rod, near one of the buildings, the effect of a strong 

 current of wind is visible. The part of the hedge which has been 

 lonsrest set — that bordering on East and Walnut Streets — is now 

 about two or two and a half feet in height, perfectly wedge-shaped, 



