32 



HEDGES 



IT is good practice to define the boundaries of a prop- 

 erty if only to add structural force to the picture we 

 have created, and this is effecti\'ely done with a hedge, 

 formal or informal, clipped or undipped. 



B}- a hedge is meant a ^'ery compact growth of shrubs 

 that stand like a wall of green fulfilling the double pur- 

 pose of demarcation and protection, and fortunately for 

 us there is a \-ery wide range of -trees and shrubs suitable 

 for the purpose. Any plant of compact growth, that 

 well, mav be used for making hedges. 



stands shearing 



TJuinhcr^'s Barberry makes a beautiful natural hedge, 



requiring very 

 and dense near 



little 



the ground. 



orange-colored 



bright 



crimson 



The growth is uniform 

 It has an abundance of small 

 blossoms very early in the spring and 

 berries all winter. Without doubt this is 

 the best shrub for low hedges. The Bnglish Barberry and 

 the Purple Barberry also make good hedges, but they 

 grow taller and recjuire considerable shearing to keep 

 them in formal shape. 



Probably the most popular hedge plant yet introduced 

 is the California Privet. It has clean, healthy foliage, 

 bears shearing well and is free from all insect enemies. 

 Unfortunately, it is not strictly hardy and must be used 

 with caution in northern latitudes. The Bnglish Privet is 

 hardier, but the color is not quite so good, as it lacks the 

 glossy sheen of the California Privet. The best of all the 

 Privets is the Kegel. This has a prostrate habit and 

 makes a natural hedge of great beauty. 



The Japan Quince makes a gooc 

 although its foliage is somewhat scant, 

 red and makes a great show in 



bright 



Other good hedge 

 Spiraea Van Houtiei, 

 forget the evergreens. 

 Ilciiilock, all of which 



trimmed hedge. 

 The bloom is a 

 the earl\- spring. 



plants are Lilacs, Bush Honeysuckles, 

 Althea and Golden Syringa. Nor must we 

 especially Thuya Occidentalis, Spruce and 

 make beautiful hede'es. 



Plate 20 



POMONA LANE 



The view shows a lane or narrow driveway leading from the superintendent's 

 house to the orchard on a gentleman's estate. The main features of the picture are 

 tlie well-kept hedges of California Privet, which make a scene as beautiful as any 

 of the far-famed hedgerows of rural England. Heavy plantings of trees make an 

 effective background. 



WINDBREAKS 



WINDP>REAKS are for the purpose of breaking the force 

 of the wind, and most trees for this purpose are grown to 

 their natural height. Evergreens are the best. The Pine, Spruce, 

 Fir and Tluiva Occidenlalis are all c'ood. 



Windbreaks are especially desiral)le in regions of severe winter 

 weather, as they lessen the force of the wind considerably and add 

 much to the comfort of the people and whatever live stock they have 

 to winter, whether outdoors or indoors. If planted on the sides of 

 the prevailing winds which, in the Middle West and North Central 

 States, are usually from the north and west, they will be found 

 to check the force of the gales not onlv, Init to deflect them u])- 

 ward, causing them to pass over the buildings. In places where 

 much snow falls windbreaks also serve as snowtrai)s to prevent the 

 formation of drifts near the buildings. The railroads of the 

 Northwest protect their roadbeds in this wav. 



