16 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



Macartney roses are all good for this purpciJi;. Osage 

 Orange plants may be raised from seed, or bought at the 

 nurseries for five or six dollars per tliousand. The Pyra- 

 canth, or evergreen thorn, we have Mr. Affleck's authority 

 for stating, will make a hedge as effectual as the Osage 

 Orange, and, as it is an evergreen, is much the most desir- 

 able. The blossoms in Spring are very shov>^y, and it is 

 covered in Winter with bright scarlet berries, and hence 

 it is often called the burning bush. It grows freely from 

 cuttings in sandy soil, but these cuttings should remain 

 in the nursery -bed a year to become well rooted before 

 use. Mr. Nelson gives the following directions for plant- 

 ing " and trimming a hedge, which apply equally well to 

 Osage Orange and Pyracanth : 



"Planting. — -First dig a trench where the hedge is 

 intended to be grown, two spades deep, throwing the sur- 

 face to one, and the subsoil to another side ; then throw 

 the surface soil down on the bottom of the trench, and if 

 it^is very poor, add a little manure, or good surface earth, 

 or even dry oak leaves. Autumn is by far the best time 

 for transplanting, and can safely be done as soon as the 

 leaves are dropped. Cut down the plants to within four 

 inches above the roots before planting. Several authors 

 recommend planting in double rows, but according to my 

 experience in the management of hedges, (and I have 

 had a good deal in my life), I decidedly prefer single 

 rows. Assort the plants in two parcels, those of large 

 and those of small size, and lay the smaller ones aside for 

 the richest ground. Stretch the line fii-mly, and place the 

 plants in as straight a line as possible, one foot apart ; fill 

 iip the trench with earth, leaving about two inches above 

 ground ; press the earth not too firmly, but water plenti- 

 fully, and after that, level the whole nicely." 



