[FOREST AND STREAM. 



85 



Woodland, Wuwn 



farden. 



HEDGES AND THEIR USES. 



• ♦ 



No. V. — The Red Cedar, (Juniperus Virgiuiana). 



— — >■ • 



" Strength may wield the ponderous spade, 



May turn the clod and wheel the compost mould- 

 But elegance, chief grace the garden shows, 

 And most attractive is the fair result 

 Of thought, the creature of a polished mind. ,, 



COWPER. 



Years ago, tlie hedge question was considered among the 

 iiuprociicals of the time, something much to be desired, 

 and was then in the years 1835 to 1810, but little known 

 practically, in this country. True, some tolerably good 

 specimens of hedges could be found, but they were of 

 not much account otherwise than giving a clue or speci- 

 men of what might be accomplished in the making of the 

 hedge row in later years. 



When the subject of the evergreen hedge was brought 

 to the attention of our farmers, particularly in the west- 

 ern country, for the first time, they encountered their dis- 

 belief if not direct opposition from those who should 

 have been the very first to have encouraged and readily 

 engaged in the planting of hedges, " in this new thing " 

 entirely. One extensive land owner who was possessed 

 of one of the finest grazing farms in the West, said 

 " we did not knoiv anything about what we were writing 

 about, and if we ever had good tree hedges, we should have 

 to go to the English gardener to produce them." We were 

 led to a very close study of the whole subject of hedges; 

 and much that is valuable in our after acquired knowledge, 

 we frankly confess, was in a great measure owing to this 

 severe rebuff from our old Pennsylvania farmer, with his 

 strong predilection for everything European. 



In our investigation of the hedge, question at this period, 

 we learned from conversation with men of the first intelli- 

 gence, and consultations with the most practical English 

 authors, that the idea of any other hedge than the English 

 haiclhorn, at that time could scarcely be tolerated. Arbor 

 vita? now so freely used, was not known as a hedge plant, 

 scarcely at all. Even many attempts to make a good 

 hawthorn hedge proved unsuccessful. This want of success 

 in those early days, we think to have been owing more to 

 neglect and the slovenly treatment accorded to the plant' 

 than any inherent quality or defect of the thorn plant; 

 subsequent judicious treatment, having proved it to be 

 easy of cultivation, and a good reliable hedge plant. 



The cultivation then bestowed upon the hedge, was 

 next to no cultivation at all; left almost entirely to itself 

 after planting, no wonder the hedge row, once so trim and 

 neat, became the "awful scraggly" and irregular, un- 

 sightly row of bushes of all heights; without order or 

 beauty; an eyesore, an offence to every attribute of the 

 beautiful. 



An English hawthorn in those days even, was not con- 

 sidered as the pride of the village, the odoriferous sw eet blos- 

 soming, neatly trimmed avenue of beauty that it became 

 in after years, and of. which Ave shall speak in its due place 

 in our papers on hedges.""" 



We make these brief remarks upon the hawthorn, as an 

 early, and one of the. first hedge plants used in the towns of 

 which we speak, before the days of our evergreens, a con- 

 tinuation to the use of the different kinds of which we 

 now return. 



As shelter from the regular cold currents of our winter 

 months has become of so much importance to the hus- 

 bandman, the agriculturist, florist, and ornamental gar- 

 dener, we naturally look about for the plants best adapted 

 for this purpose. There are, as we - have already shown, 

 several plants well adapted for this purpose, but the cheap- 

 est to use, to any extent, is common red cedar. (Juniperus 

 Virginiana.) This well known plant is easily grown from 

 the seed, which are produced abundantly, and if properly 

 planted will be large enough for planting out in the hedge 

 row in two years from the planting. By the third or 

 fourth year being a hardy compact plant, it will by this 

 time present quite a firm barrier, as well as a shelter hedge. 

 This plant Wars the "shears" or clipping remaikably 

 well; as well as any one of the evergreen hedge plants we 

 have used. Its tendency being of an uniform upright 

 growth, we have seen it growing remarkably well, with 

 but little or no attention at all. It will under any ordinary 

 circumstances make a compact evergreen -wall of protec- 

 tion, sending out its evergreen branches even from the 

 very ground. Any one Avho has carefully noticed the 

 upright, hardy tendency of this red cedar plant, will have 

 observed it to be a remarkably clean and compact growing- 

 tree in its natural woods and forests. It should be more 

 extensively used than it has been, for it is a long liver, and 

 one of the best plants that can be used for an outside fence, 

 where cheapness and durability are the chief questions 

 under consideration. The red cedar is found in many por- 

 tions of our country, and it readily springs up from the 

 berry even in the most arid and unpromising situations. 

 The birds plant a great many trees, and of this cedar 

 berry, they are truly the great planters. We have seen acres 

 of this beautiful tree at at! heights and sizes runniug up 

 like a perfect cone, green, and beautiful to behold, and al- 

 ways commanding our especial attention. From Maine, 

 throughout Massachusetts, all along the Hudson, and on 

 Long Island, may be seen this hardy plant growing pro- 

 fusely, and scattered over a vast extent of field and past- 



"Tlietc- are now in the T' nned States many miles of this kind of hedge, 

 and they have stood the climate well, particularly in Ohio. Indiana, and 

 Illinois, 



ure land, as though inviting every tliri fty well informed 

 yeoman to make at least one experiment in the cultivation 

 of this valuable adjunct of civilization. 



Every one has seen or heard of what in some portions of 

 Long Island, are called "lop fences," made originally in 

 this manner: It being desirable to apportion off a certain 

 portion of the lands, either for pasturage, clearing, or 

 tillage, a row of small trees of white and red oak, some- 

 times the " scrub oak," was pressed into service and made 

 to do dut} r as live posts for our line fences. Then the op- 

 erator with his axe commenced to trim along the side of 

 his future feuce, the short undergrowth of shrubs, whortle- 

 bushes, and undergrowth of plants, reserving the small 

 trees of white oak, which were at this stage about the size 

 of hoop poles, for his "lop fence." These latter were 

 then by a slight blow of the axe on one side partially sev- 

 ered, and the top of the sapling bent over about tw r o feet 

 from the ground and tied down in a longitudinal manner, 

 with withes to keep them in position. Aided by a 

 few stakes as further support, the primitive outline of the 

 "lop fence" was initiated. This "lop f ence " "in after 

 years being the resort of birds of various kinds, who de- 

 posited the seeds of the numerous kinds of trees upon 

 which they fed, planted the same along the line of the 

 fence, f a large portion of their favorite feeding ground 

 being the red cedar groves and cherry trees of Long 

 Island. Soon our fence became the resting place of the 

 feathered planters, who deposited the seed with a liberal 

 bill the whole length of the "lop fence " line. 



Having used to a considerable extent the red cedar, and 

 from careful #bservation of the growth of this hedge 

 plant in different sections, of our country, we have no 

 hesitation in saying that as a protection, nothing in the 

 nature of an enclosing, strong, permanent hedge, is found 

 superior to the red cedar hedge when rightly planted. Mr. 

 reynard or rabbit, cannot get through this impenetrable, 

 smoothly trimmed green; the field mouse can scarcely find 

 a shelter within it; nor will ox, cow r , or horses get through 

 it. Hens and turkeys, those pests, often, of the farm-yard, 

 try it once or twice, and leave it after a few vain attempts 

 to penetrate it, as something they cannot understand. 



For a winter screen, this kind of hedge is the sine quo 

 non, you can make it compact as you please by sowing the 

 seeds thickly along the row, and then thinning to a desired 

 distance apart. As they grow very straight you have only 

 to keep your eye upon them to have a perfect straight 

 evergreen, true hedge. The element of shelter from the 

 wind is soon obtained from this hedge, and who does not 

 know from experience, how comfortable he feels, on a cold, 

 raw November day, to seek the sunny side of just such a 

 screen. 



And then again the long undulating line of beauty to be 

 found in such a well kept hedge is charming. Imagine 

 such a hedge as this upon an uneven surface of landscape, 

 as it rises and falls with hill and vale, in easy natural curves, 



' ' Nature assuming a m W2 lovely face, 

 Borrowing a beauty f.u.j. .he works of grace." 



Really there is grace and beauty in the sturdy' old hedge, 

 as well as plant power of resistance to the elements, or the 

 encroachments of bird and beast. Then when w r e add the 

 ornamental elements of beauty and attractiveness, always 

 found in variety areund us, we feel a new love of the 

 beautiful within us, if not a desire to make all men appre- 

 ciate in some higher degree than before, the loveliness of 

 this glorious world that God has called into existence for 

 the pleasure of man. 



Ollipod Quill, 



tWc merely introduce the natural u hird fence," or "lop fence " in this 

 place as an illustration of the hardy, tenacious character of the red cedar 

 as a hedge plant. Many very interesting and highly instructive facts, 

 relating to this kind of fence, and all particulars relating to the same, 

 together with curious and amusing incidents connected with it, 

 will make the subject of a separate paper, upon "lop fences" and their 

 use in a future number of Forest and Stream. 



ttg<t%tqi{8. 



PERSIAN MANNERS. 



The natives of Persia do not recline on cushions, in the 

 luxurious manner of the Turks; but in an erect posture, 

 on thick felt called a numud. They have seldom, if ever, 

 fires in their apartments, even in the coldest season, and in 

 order to keep warm, fold themselves in a fur pelisse or a 

 barounee, which is a handsome robe of crimson cloth, lined 

 with shawls or velvet. Like other Oriental nations they 

 rise with the sun, and having dressed and said their prayers 

 take a cup of coffee, or perhaps a pipe. They then enter 

 upon the business of the day, if thejr have any ; and, if not, 

 smoke and converse until about eleven o'clock, at which 

 time they usually have breakfast, and then retire into the 

 harem. There they remain until about three o'clock; when 

 they retire to the hall, see company, and finish their busi- 

 ness; for with these people the most important affairs are 

 discussed and transacted in public. Between nine and 

 ten the dinner, or the principal meal, is served up. This 

 chiefly consists of £>^ftwos, and of mutton and fowl, dressed 

 in various -ways, of wdiich, however, they eat but moder 

 ately. Wine they never taste before company, although in 

 private they are the most notorious drunkards, and inva- 

 riably drink before they eat. They are passionately foud 

 •i tobacco, which they smoke almost incessantly from the 

 • noment they rise until it is time for them to retire to rest; it 

 constitutes, Indeed, the principal source of amusement to a 

 man of fortune ; and were it not for his calcan, I am at a 

 loss to imagine how he would spend his time. In this re- 

 spect, indeed, there seems to be something peculiarly in- 

 consistent in the character of the Persians. When without 

 an inducement to exertion, he resigns himself entirely to 

 luxury and ease; and the same person, who with his cal- 

 can in his mouth, would appear to pass the day in a sort of 

 stupor, when roused into action and mounted upon his 



horse, will ride for days and nights without intermission. 

 Hunting and hawking, as well as various gymnastic exer- 

 cises, are favorite amusements of the Persians. By these 

 means their bodies become hardened and active, and as 

 they are taught to ride from their youth, they manage their 

 horses with great boldness and address. They frequently 

 use the warm bath, but seldom change their linen. They 

 are as bold and daring horsemen as I have seen, and delight 

 in showing off their dexterity. One of their great amuse- 

 ments is shooting from horseback, and they show wonder- 

 ful skill in thus bringing down ground game at full gallop. 

 This is most remarkable, as they have no idea of shooting 

 at a bird on the wing: indeed never attempt it, but wait 

 until they can get a shot on the ground. They are exces- 

 sively fond of horses, and, although unsparing of their 

 powers in the field, take much care of them in the stable, 

 where, strange to say, a pig is often kept for their protec- 

 tion, on the supposition that should an evil spirit pass the 

 threshold it will take up its quarters in the soul of a beast 

 so loathsome to the nostrils of a true son of the Prophet , 

 and leave the horse unmolested. Much faith is likewise 

 laid in the efficacy of charms, and the favorite an imalol 

 the stable has generally a turquoise, which is held to bring 

 luck, strung to his tail. Oats and hay being almost un- 

 known, the horses are fed on barley and chopped straw, 

 and a course of green fodder in the spring. 



~+++~ 



LE ROI S'AMUSE. 



That his sacred majesty of Persia must be somewhat of 

 a wag is evidenced by the following account of one or two 

 illustrations of his love of practical joking. The Shah had 

 invited some Europeans to breakfast and display their skill 

 in skating at one of his country palaces. "His Majesty, 

 surrounded by his" court and some of his ministers, stately 

 long-bearded gentlemen, in flowing robes and tall hats, 

 took much interest in it, and highly applauded the per- 

 formances of the two English engineers in his service. After 

 a time, however, his interest flagged, and urged no doubt 

 by the espieglerie inherent in the character of all Persians, 

 he expressed a wish to see his courtiers try their feet on 

 the ice. .... The dignitaries of the court cast de- 

 precating looks at their sovereign when his wish was made 

 known them. But the more reluctance they showed, the 

 more the idea seemed t» tickle big majesty, and the more he 

 insisted: so the skates were attached to their feet, and they 

 were carried on the ice. I refrain from attempting a des- 

 cription of the scene that ensued; its counterpart might 

 perhaps be imagined by conceiving several Lord Chancel- 

 lors in their state robes 'taking their first skating lesson on 

 Virginia Water. 



The ofher incident occurred not long after. 



The Shah took such a fancy to a portable inda-rubber 

 boat, that its owner, one of our officers, who had got it 

 from England with a view to explore some of our rivers, 

 begged, and of course obtained, permission to present it to 

 him. It was at once transported to the palace, and, when 

 inflated, my friend had the honor of paddling royalty about 

 on one of the tanks. The amusement pleased his majesty, 

 and betook to paddling himself; the courtiers followed suit 

 and eventually the King caused a throne to be erected near 

 the bank, in order that he might be at his ease to watch their 

 progress in their new accomplishment. It was probably too 

 slow to afford him satisfaction, for one day he announced 

 that he should like to see how many persons his boat was 

 capable of carrying. Three could sit comfortably in it, but 

 there was room for a dozen, and accordingly a dozen A. D. 

 C.'sand chamberlains, in their handsome shawl dresses and 

 gold brocades, stepped in. Meanwhile, some one in the 

 royal confidence had secretly opened the valves. The boat 

 was shoved off toward the middle of the tank, and as the 

 air escaped, gradually sank lower and lower, and finally 

 dsiappeared with its gorgeous unsuspecting freight in the 

 water. In a moment there w^Riothing visible on the sur- 

 face of the tank but lamb's-wool hats and linen scull caps; 

 for a moment, too, there was silence.- Then a dozen shaven 

 heads were seen wagging their tufts and sidelocks, and a 

 dozen mouths and noses were heard puffing, blowing and 

 snorting as the owners struggled slowly to the side. ° The 

 Shah laughed long and loudly, and was so much pleased 

 with the success of the stratgem, that when his victims 

 emerged, all dripping and crestfallen, before him, he 

 deigned to inquire, what news of the fish? Persians can 

 take a joke as it is meant; and though no doubt the court- 

 iers wished the boat and the donor a~speedy descent to the 

 -warmer climate, I dare say they all afterward joined in 

 their sovereign's Laughter. — Mo misetfs Persia: 



The Flight of the Eagle. — It is some fourteen or fif- 

 teen years since I first watched an eagle through a telescope 



Not to go back too far, as I must trust to memory, I was 

 two or three years ago, on the summit of a long-backed 

 solitary hill, 500 or 600 feet high, in the Coimbatore plains 

 of Southern India. There was a light breeze blowing, and 

 I saw an eagle stemming it, on the leeward side of 

 the hill, which was steep. Sometimes he was within (say) 

 fifty yards, and having a good glass at hand, I rested it on 

 a stone heap, and watched him. It was frequently possi- 

 ble to sec him thus, stationary in a motionless field of view 

 at an apparent distance of ten or twelve feet. Not a feather 

 quivered : the head was turned from side to side as he scru- 

 tinized the hill-side ; occasionally a foot was brought up to 

 the beak: the roll of the eye was perceptible: but otherwise 

 he was at rest to all appearance. They may have been 

 quivering, but they looked as steady as those of a stuffed 

 specimen. And here I m&f observe, that for this appear- 

 ance to be compatible with an unperceived vibration, the 

 position of rest must have existed alternately with succes- 

 sive excursions, and the time occupied by the latter must 

 have been insignificant as compared with the duration of 

 rest, I find it impossible to accept this explantion, even as a 

 first step, and need not inquire how it would produce the 

 supporting effects. The tail, I should mention, was not at 

 rest. It was frequently feeling, as it were, the passing- 

 breeze. 



It is to be understood that in the course of the frequent 

 changes of general position, I had the bird under examina- 

 tion from different directions— not always of course so 

 favorably.— J". Uerschel, in Mature. 



4 



—Storm signals are raised on the citadel at Halifax, when 

 notice is given by the Dominion Meteorological Bureau. 

 —Isn't the sea-serpent likely to prove a boa? 

 —Was the can-can co-existent with the do-do! 



