THE HAWTHORN. 



213 



the particles of salt with which the sea-breeze is 

 charged being arrested by the twigs and killing 

 the 3'oung buds : but the opposite side flourishes 

 with tolerable luxuriance.* 



Thorns are occasionally liable to attacks from a 

 fungus {(Ecidium laceratum) which produces sin- 

 gular brown swellings on the young shoots and 

 leaves. Their most usual shape is oval^ and in 

 size they vary from that of a bean to that of a 

 walnut. On the outside they are smooth^ but 

 internally contain a large quantity of brown pow- 

 der, which rises in a cloud when the hedge is 

 shaken. Young plants are also liable in damp 

 seasons to a destructive mildew, as a remedy 

 against which strong stimulating manures are 

 reconmiended, and the application of soot. 



The stock of the Thorn is employed not only 

 for grafting varieties of its own species, but also, 

 and with great advantage, for several of the garden 

 fruits. 



Man does the savage Hav/thorn teach 



To bear the Medlar and the Pear ; 



He bids the rustic Pkim to rear 



A noble trunk and be a Peach." Cowley. 



* Some few years ago, a gardener, accustomed only to the mid- 

 land counties, was engaged by a gentleman, whose estate lies on 

 the northern sea-coast of Devonshire, to superintend his garden and 

 plantations. On his arrival he was sent his employer to walk 

 through his domain, that he might gain some notion of what would be 

 required of him. His inspection being completed, he was asked 

 what he thought of his new employment: " I like the place well," he 

 replied, " and doubt not that I should be able to give satisfaction, 

 except on one point. How my predecessor contrived to keep the 

 Thorn -hedges so neatly clipped with only four hands to help him, I 

 cannot tell, nor can I undertake to do as well : I must therefore de- 

 cline the situation." He was not a little surprised on being told 

 that the north-west wind was his "predecessor," a coadjutor whose 

 services he probably afterwards found verging on the officious. 



