The Canadian Horticulturist. 5 



RAMBLING NOTES.— Ill, 



HEDGES. 



*^ C)ME years ago a dense, neatly-trimmed Barberry hedge inclosed a 

 pretty good sized plot, and was looked upon as one of the chief 

 attractions of this neighborhood. Somehow or other — and I leave 

 the solution to wiser heads than mine — the farmers living in this 

 vicinity began to think that the said shrub was the cause of rust on 

 their wheat. Personal argument and press editorials favoring the 

 opposite opinion proved of no avail to dispel the impression. The 

 feeling gradually became intense and widespread against it, and rather than let 

 them remain in the belief that there was growing on the premises something 

 detrimental to their interests, I allowed them to destroy it. A " bee " was speedily 

 formed by some stalwart sons of the soil, and in a very short time every vestige 

 of their supposed leaf spotted enemy, root stump and branch, was left in ashes ; 

 and still there is rust. Immediately afterwards the ground, formerly occupied 

 by the demolished hedge, was replanted with Japan Quince, and when reviving 

 nature begins to assume her verdant mantle of green, it is almost needless to re- 

 mark, how the eye loves to wander to and linger upon its rich and abundant 

 bloom of lovely scarlet flowers. Dwarf Box makes a handsome edging for gravel 

 walks if allowed the partial shade of overhanging branches, while its evergreen 

 freshness gladdens the hearts of those born and nurtured on the ''tight 

 little island " beyond the seas. Buckthorn does well on an adjoining farm, and 

 proves an impenetrable barrier to stock, and a safe retreat in summer months 

 for the noisy, pugnacious sparrow. Roses, and particularly hybrid perpetuals, 

 some twenty-five of the leading sorts, "in the rosy time o' the year," is a sight 

 for lovers of the beautiful to halt and admire. As this theme however has been 

 lovingly and professionally treated by enthusiasts, whose names are now house- 

 hold words in floricultural literature, it will be prudent on my part to make my 

 bow and gracefully retire from the field, especially as our local rosarian's poetic 

 nature will soon be all aglow, when describing the queen of flowers in all her 

 unapproachable loveliness. One word regarding another favorite. Taking for 

 granted that your thousands of readers have a dearly prized solution of the many 

 gems that sweetly deck our mother earth during the season of their florescence 

 let me simply suggest one (if it isn't in their collection already), namely Yucca 

 filamentosa, or, as it is commonly called, Adam's needle. The plant is perfectly 

 hardy and easily propagated by division of the roots. It throws up amidst its 

 narrow pointed leaves an erect stem three or four feet high, bearing aloft for 

 weeks in July a delightful profusion of creamy-white bell-shaped flowers. Once 

 seen in bloom its place is secured amongst garden novelties. 



Russeldale. |. I). Stewart. 



