Thk Canadian Horticulturist. if' 



HOW TO FORM A PERFECT HEDGE. 



To have a hedge do its best, whether deciduous or evergreen, it should be 

 pruned twice a season. The first pruning should be done before the growth is 

 stopped, the second about the close of summer, after the length of growth has 

 been completed for the season. On the method Joseph Meehan writes as fol- 

 lows in Practical Partner : A hedge to be perfect must be broader at the base 

 than at any other part. Summer pruning, that is, the first one, is mainly to 

 thicken the hedge and strengthen the base. To do this, the top and most of 

 the upper branches are clipped off, then while the lower ones are touched but 

 little in an old hedge and not at all in a young one in which the shape has not 

 been well formed. As soon as the tops are cut away the sap flows to those 

 remaining, greatly invigorating them. In old hedges where shape and bushincss 

 have already been attained, the whole of the hedge may be trimmed back to 

 thicken it, but let the severest cutting be at the top. For every branch cut off 

 a half a dozen new ones form, so that in time a hedge becomes so dense that a 

 bird can hardly fly through it. After the first cutting there will be more growth 

 made, and this is allowed to grow on as long as it will. When all growth has 

 stopped, which will be in September in the Middle States, the hedge is gone 

 over again, and cut clean into a good shape, which should neither be too round 

 nor too pointed. In connection with this it may be said here that single trees 

 should be pruned in the same way that the hedge is. Bushiness comes from 

 stopping the leading shoots before they are done growing. Pruning in winter 

 acts the other way, encouraging an extra strong top growth. 



Some fine sa.mfles of grapes have been sent us by Mr. A. M. Smith, of 

 St. Catharines. The following are the varieties, viz.: Eaton, Moore's Diamond, 

 Ulster Prolific, Poughkeepsie Red, and Geneva. 



The Eaton is a very fine large grape, of the same type as the Concord. It 

 seems to us to be a remarkable grape and one that must commend itself to every 

 vineyardist, as the finest black grape, at least so far as size, appearance and pro- 

 ductiveness are concerned. Unfortunately, however, it does not equal the Con- 

 cord in quality. 



Moore's Diamond is a very promising white grape, and a com|)etitor 

 with the Niagara ; it is sweet and spritely and the pulp is very tender. 



Poughkeepsie Red also commends itself as a most delicious little grape, after 

 the style of the Delaware, larger in bunch and berry, hut not as good in (iualit>. 



