PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 355 



HEDGES. 



In raising quick hedges, the planter should pay particular 

 attention to the nature of the soil and situation of the ground, 

 and adapt his plants accordingly ; which may generally be done 

 by observing the growth of such plants as are already on the 

 land, and he may employ either one for this purpose. On dry 

 soils in good heart, especially for outside fences, the honey locust 

 ought to be preferred. It is a certain grower, very lasting, and 

 not liable to be cropped by cattle on account of its thorns. 



In low situations, where surface water abounds, and the soil is 

 retentive of moisture, the farmer must necessarily have recourse 

 to the willow tribe for forming his hedges, as under such circum- 

 stances they grow not only with great vigor and rapidity, but 

 are capable of being converted to a variety of useful purposes. 

 They do not, however, make a very good fence, and often prove 

 injurious to cattle, by their cropping and eating the young shoots 

 too freely. Young cattle have been killed by them. 



Where cattle are to be pastured, it is better to have recourse 

 to honey locust, as they may be raised upon such soils by raising 

 the ground to plant upon. But on such banks as are liable to be 

 carried away by the overflowing of streams, the alder and willow 

 may be planted together advantageously, as by throwing out a 

 great number of spongioles from their roots they afford much 

 support to such banks. And in very exposed and elevated situa- 

 tions the birch and beech will be found good plants for raising 

 live hedges with, as experience has shown that by proper atten- 

 tion in such places they form good fences in a very short time. 



Wherever a mixture of different varieties of plants is em- 

 ployed in making a hedge, such should invariably be selected as 

 are capable of thriving well on the same variety of soil, and in 

 the same situation, as well as of growing with equal degrees of 

 strength ; for without this a very imperfect fence must be formed, 

 for the reason that while some of the plants are thriving with 

 great vigor and luxuriance, others will proceed in a feeble and 

 sickly manner from being checked by the shade of the larger 

 ones, thus rendering the hedge uneven, defective and thin. 



Before any variety of quick hedge is planted, the line of 

 ground on which it is to be placed should be plowed up, and put 

 under such a degree of preparation as will render the soil of 

 whatever kind it may be perfectly friable and mellow, as by such 

 means the spongioles of the plants will be enabled to shoot out 



