BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 79 
ing the effects of the weather to a much greater extent than 
dead wood. 
7th. That a fence to orchards may be formed of fruit trees 
of the same genus, or genera in the same natural family ; the 
lower portions or stems of which form the fence, (and may be 
carried as before observed, to the requisite height) whilst the 
upper part may be allowed to send forth its shoots and bear 
fruit. 
8th. That owing to the open nature of this kind of fence, 
(which openings may be formed of any size) shrubs and 
other plants usually planted close up to fencework, for the 
purpose of concealing it, will receive a larger proportion of 
air and light so necessary to the growth of vegetables, which 
cannot be the case with the ordinary method of enclosing 
parks, &c., with palings. 
9th. That should one of the bars by any cause become 
dead or destroyed, the circulation is carried on by the con- 
tiguous bar or stem ; so, that if a bar dies, it still remains in 
its situation, although it does not increase in thickness as 
takes place in those around it ; this dead bar may then be 
compared as to durability, to the fencing until the present 
time formed of dead wood. 
From the well known nature and structure of wood, I con- 
sider the application of the process of grafting by approach , or 
inarching in the construction of fences of all descriptions, 
to be one of the leading improvements of late years made 
in the science of gardening; and as such, should strongly 
recommend it to the notice of those individuals possessing 
landed property, and also to the Directors of Railroads and 
other undertakings, where both man and cattle are intended 
to be kept otf, and by the judicious selection of stems 
armed with prickles &c., a most effectual barrier would ulti- 
mately be the result. 
Mr. Cooper exhibited specimens of Polypgon Littoralis , 
found below Woolwich, Kent. Some observations were also 
made on the variety of Polygonum aviculare, called 
P. marinum of Hudson, which led to some discussion. 
OCTOBER 5th. 
J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 
Some further remarks on the advantages of the natural 
living fence described at the last meeting were made, and a 
