904 "T'ransactions.— Miscellaneous. 
its leaves, that it becomes unsightly to look at, the smell is disagreeable, 
and the plant must become gradually weakened and eventually destroyed 
by the damage done to its leaves. On poor ground the thorn does not 
thrive in New Zealand. It soon becomes hide-bound and cankered, and. 
does not then make a good fence. 
It does not seem likely that the beech will be successfully grown in this 
country, either for a hedge or for timber. "The ravages of a grub seem to 
be too much for its constitution. 
Another plant, the gorse, is much used in some parts, but is subject to 
serious objections. The danger of its spreading and taking possession of 
the adjoining land makes its use by no means desirable, and as it will burn 
green the light from the match of a passer by may at any time destroy the 
fence. It is desirable to find something better than gorse. 
Now, I think the nursery gardeners ought to; show a little originality. 
. They ought to set their wits to work to find out the best hedge plants 
suitable for the country. They should make experiments and try the 
plants of various countries, instead of merely raising thorns. 
I have forgotten to mention the holly. This can hardly be called a 
plant for a field hedge. It makes no doubt a capital garden hedge, and if 
it would only grow a little quicker it would answer all purposes admirably, 
but it is so slow of growth that for general purposes it is unsuitable. 
Although I hold that it is the duty of professional gardeners to find out 
and supply the best hedge plants, I will venture to name some which have 
come under my notice, and which may answer the purposes of giving 
shelter. To make a paddock safe from intrusion a wire or other fence will 
in this country always be required in addition. 
The Escalonia densa I find to be a very hardy shrub, and it stands the 
sea breeze well. It grows readily from cuttings, and might be supplied 
cheap in consequence. Stock do not appear to touch it, and it is very 
pretty both in leaf and in flower. Its weak points are in deficiency of 
strength in the wood, in having no thorns, and, as far as I have seen, not 
ripening its seed in this country. Therefore if always grown from cuttings 
it may suddenly die out. 
The Ake-ake grows readily from cuttings and is very hardy, but Iam 
afraid that horses or cattle may eat it. As I have heard the point disputed 
as to which is Ake-ake and which Ake piro, I may mention that the plant 
I mean has a silvery.and corrugated leaf. 
The plant, however, which strikes me as being most suitable for a hedge 
plant is the Hakea asicularis. It grows readily from seed, indeed I may 
almost say that every seed is sure to germinate, and it seeds freely. It is 
so well protected by formidable thorns that it would require a very coura- 
