HEDGES. 205 



For hedges, I think the various species of Aloe wherever they 

 thrive, will form the most economical fence, they are almost im- 

 penetrable, require little or no care to keep the fence in order, 

 and the leaves yield fibrous material. These plants are culti- 

 vated from suckers which take root readily, and would probably 

 answer well in the Kistna District (under reference.) 



In some places, the Bamboo may be planted in contiguous 

 clumps at the foot of embankments. The uses of the Bamboo are 

 very numerous, and a fence is easily formed by bending down a 

 few of the shoots of each clump and interlacing them. " Bamboo 

 fences are peculiarly well adapted to pasture land, the cattle 

 browsing on the young shoots, keeping down the growth, so that 

 very little care is required to keep them within bounds." In other 

 localities, the Coconut, and where it will not grow, the Palmyra 

 and Date may be planted close together, as I believe, is done in 

 Tanjore and Eajamandri ; the trees form a living wall through 

 which cattle cannot pass. The Inga dulcis (Kurakapulli), I fear, 

 will be too expensive to keep in order; when trimmed and pruned 

 it forms a hedge superior to any other in India ; and, indeed, 

 is not excelled by the English Hawthorn, which it much re- 

 sembles. 



The Parkinsonia aculeata, Gcesalpinia sepiaria (Mysore thorn), 

 G. sappan (Sappan tree), G. coriaria (American sumach), and 

 Capparis sepiaria, may all be used ; but, I think, the Inga should 

 have the preference, and the Aloe be resorted to where those 

 mentioned do not succeed. The use of the prickly pear (Opun- 

 tia Dillenii), I strongly deprecate, although impenetrable and 

 inexpensive, it conveys an idea of sterility, and is rapidly be- 

 coming a nuisance in this country. (See Ann. Nat. Hist., Oct. 

 1850.) 



I have thus briefly indicated the trees and hedge plants which 

 seem to be most likely to suit the object which Government has 

 in view. In the north-west provinces, the loppings and prun- 

 ings of the canal plantations pay well ; and if Government are 

 prepared to keep up the necessary establishments, I have no 

 doubt that a similar system would pay here, although trees do 

 not generally attain the same size in Southern India, and the 

 markets for timber of this description are not of the same extent. 



Q 



