A CHAPTER ON HEDGES. 



267 



in various parts of the country, with the Osage orange, as a hedge 

 plant. The general result, south of this, has been in the highest de- 

 gree favorable. Many who have failed with all species of hawthorn, 

 have entire faith in the value of this plant, and we have no longer 

 a doubt that it is destined to become the favorite hedge plant of all 

 that part of the Union lying south and west of the State of New- 

 York.* 



Fig. 8. Fruit of the Osage Orange Tree. 



The Osage orange, when treated as a hedge plant, has many ex- 



* The Osage orange is hardy in our own grounds, where we have culti- 

 vated it for many years. In New England it will probably be found too 

 tender in winter, though there is an excellent young hedge of it at Belmont 

 Place, the residence of J. P. Gushing, Esq., near Boston, which we were told 

 the past season, has proved quite hardy. Pruning in hedge form, by check- 

 ing its luxuriance, will render any partially tender shrubs more hardy. It 

 may be safely laid down as a rule, judging from our own observations, that 

 the Osage orange will succeed perfectly as a hedge, wherever the Isabella 

 grape will ripen in the open air without shelter or protection. This is a 

 better and safer guide than a reference to parallels of latitude. 



